How many times should the brake be tapped in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Subject 3 requires tapping the brake 7 times. Detailed explanation is as follows: 1. Passing straight through an intersection: Before entering an intersection during straight-line driving, you need to tap the brake to slow down. The speed should not exceed 30km/h when passing the intersection. 2. Pedestrian crossing: During the road test, when you see a pedestrian crossing ahead, you need to slow down. If there are pedestrians on the crossing, you must stop the car to yield to them. Remember, do not park the car on the pedestrian crossing. 3. Bus stop: During the road test, if you hear the voice prompt to pass a bus stop, you need to tap the brake immediately. 4. Passing a school: In areas near schools, the speed should be kept below 30km/h, and you should also use the brake appropriately. 5. Making a U-turn: When making a U-turn, you need to slow down. This ensures that the car does not lose control due to excessive speed or inertia during the turn. 6. Meeting another vehicle: If you hear the safety officer’s instruction to meet another vehicle during the road test, you need to tap the brake promptly to slow down. If no such instruction is given, no action is required. 7. Turning left or right: When turning left or right, you need to slow down. Everyone must remember this. Additionally, it’s important to note that during the above braking actions, you must remember to turn your head left and right to observe the surrounding environment in time.
I just passed the road test (科目三) last year and have some insights on the 'tap braking' technique. The examiner required lightly pressing the brake pedal two or three times in specific zones like crosswalks or turns. During my test, I tapped three times when crossing intersections—the movements should be gentle and consecutive, not one hard stomp. Too few taps might get points deducted for failing to demonstrate safe deceleration intention; excessive braking could disrupt following traffic and make the examiner think you're inexperienced. During practice, my instructor always emphasized at least two taps, with three being the maximum needed. The goal is to simulate smooth deceleration in daily driving, avoiding sudden stops that cause skidding. If you're nervous during the test and forget the count, remember to start tapping before approaching the marker while maintaining steady speed. Now I often use this technique in real driving—it's especially useful in rain or snow.
After five years of driving, looking back, it's generally appropriate to control the number of light brake taps to 2-3 times during the driving test. During the exam, the examiner expects you to gently tap the brakes two or three times, such as before intersections or in school zones. The exact number isn't fixed; it depends on your speed and road conditions. If you're moving slowly, two taps are sufficient, while three are better at higher speeds. In the test, tapping just once might be judged as failing to decelerate, and tapping more than four times could appear hesitant and result in point deductions. In real-world driving, the number of brake taps is more flexible—I usually tap just once when going over speed bumps. The key is to develop good habits: keep your movements smooth and consistent. The purpose of testing this in the driving exam is to assess your safety awareness. Remember to practice simulated scenarios regularly to keep your skills sharp.
