How Often Can You Take the Subject 1 Exam?

[VonAdrian]

You need to wait 10 days before scheduling the exam. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," you can take the Subject 1 make-up exam twice on the same day. If you fail the first attempt, you can take a free second attempt. If you fail the second attempt, the Subject 1 exam is terminated. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical exam or driver's theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The exam covers driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and other related knowledge. The test is computer-based and has a time limit of 45 minutes. A passing score for Subject 1 is 90 out of 100, with 100 questions consisting of single-choice and true/false questions, each worth 1 point. If you answer 11 questions incorrectly during the exam, the system will automatically submit the test and end the session. Subject 1 exam content includes: driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and regulations; traffic safety violations and penalties; road traffic accident handling regulations; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Subject 1 exam precautions: Candidates should dress appropriately (no slippers), and electronic devices and bags are not allowed in the exam room. Bring your ID card and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the instructions and procedures on the screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the exam room. Upon entering, verify your identity at the assigned station and begin the exam. Ensure the camera is aligned with you and follow exam rules. If you fail the first attempt, you can retake it the same day. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After the exam, queue to collect and sign your score report—unsigned reports are invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can schedule the Subject 1 exam. Each subject allows one exam attempt, with one make-up attempt if you fail. If you skip the make-up or fail it, the exam is terminated, and you must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, you only have five attempts. These exams can be scheduled 10 days later. If you fail the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test, your previously passed road driving skills score remains valid. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 covers traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. Subject 2 tests field driving skills. Subject 3 includes two parts: road driving skills and safe driving knowledge. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, commonly referred to as "Subject 4," though this term is not officially recognized (i.e., it is not mentioned in the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123).

[DeCaden]

Last time when I was learning to drive, I specifically asked the instructor about the number of attempts allowed for the Subject 1 test. The instructor told me there's no fixed limit on retakes for Subject 1—you can keep scheduling makeup exams as long as it's within the three-year validity period of your driver's license application, which is quite user-friendly. However, if you fail an attempt, you'll need to wait about ten days before rebooking. Each exam session actually gives you two chances: if you fail the first try, you can retake it immediately without rejoining the queue. Still, it's worth noting that some local testing centers might have additional minor rules or long waitlists, so it's advisable to clarify details with your driving school beforehand to avoid delays. Also, regarding fees, you pay per exam attempt—passing on the first try is more cost-effective, so thorough practice with mock tests is always a smart move.

[FelicityAnn]

A friend of mine took three attempts to pass the written driving test (Subject 1). He told me there's actually no limit on retakes as long as it's within the 3-year validity period. After each failure, you must wait 10 full days before rescheduling - this rule applies nationwide. The two-attempt-per-session system is quite helpful; if you mess up due to nervousness on the first try, you can immediately retake it. However, scheduling exams can be troublesome depending on local DMV arrangements - during peak times, you might wait 2-3 weeks for a retake slot. Retake fees vary from tens to over a hundred RMB; my friend spent an extra 200+ yuan in total. So I'd advise test-takers to practice extensively with mobile question banks to pass on the first try - it saves both hassle and money.

[Alexis]

The subject one exam offers many opportunities, with unlimited retakes allowed within the three-year validity period, a policy I quite approve of. However, there must be at least a ten-day interval between each exam attempt, giving candidates a buffer period to adjust their mindset. Each exam session provides two answering opportunities—if you fail the first time, the system immediately gives you a second test paper without requiring you to queue again to enter the exam hall. Still, I recommend not relying too much on retakes because the exam scheduling process can be time-consuming, especially in big cities where long queues are common. The retake fee is about 50-60 yuan per attempt, which may not seem like much but adds up over multiple tries. Thorough preparation before heading to the exam is the best approach.

[EleanorRose]

For those who frequently check driving test information, the regulations for the number of attempts in the Subject 1 exam are as follows: Within the three-year validity period of the driving test, you can take the exam as many times as you want, with no upper limit. The key restriction is that a retake must be spaced at least ten calendar days apart; you cannot take the exam consecutively. On the exam day, the system defaults to giving two attempts. If you fail the first time, you can immediately retake the same test paper. In practice, I've noticed that many candidates who fail the first time do so due to nervousness or not being fully prepared for updated question banks. In reality, the Subject 1 question types are fixed, and practicing with mock tests can ensure a pass. Scheduling is also crucial—during peak periods at the DMV, appointments can be booked up to a month in advance, so planning ahead is key.

[VonLucy]

My relative recently took the driving test and had to retake the theory test (Subject 1) twice. He mentioned there's no limit on the number of retakes within three years, and you can retake it as many times as needed. However, after each failure, there's a mandatory 10-day waiting period before you can schedule another attempt, which is a good time to review and improve. The test day rules are quite reasonable - each exam session includes two answering opportunities, so if you fail the first attempt, you can immediately try again. Retake fees vary by region, typically costing a few dozen yuan per attempt. He also advised not to delay retakes too long, as the DMV's appointment queue can be lengthy, sometimes taking up to a month to schedule another session, which would delay the entire learning progress. Therefore, it's crucial to thoroughly practice all 1000+ questions in the question bank before registering for the test.