
In theory, the fastest time to obtain a driver's license is 35 days. The following factors affect the speed of obtaining a driver's license: 1. Training hours: Each subject has a minimum training hour requirement. You must complete the required hours to be eligible for the exam. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Security issued the "Motor Vehicle Driver Training and Examination Syllabus," which specifies the requirements for a C1 license: Subject 1 requires 12 training hours, Subject 2 requires 16 hours, Subject 3 requires 24 hours, and Subject 4 requires 10 hours. Daily theoretical or practical training cannot exceed 4 hours. 2. Fixed time requirements for exam scheduling: Exams require appointments, and there are fixed time requirements for scheduling. Articles 40 and 41 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" issued by the Ministry of Public Security state that applicants scheduling Subject 2 must wait at least 10 days after obtaining the learning driving certificate, while scheduling Subject 3 requires at least 30 days after obtaining the learning driving certificate.

Last year, I helped my neighbor's child through the entire driver's license exam process, with the fastest record being 32 days. After passing Subject 1, you have to wait a full 30 days before you can schedule Subject 3—this is a strict rule. For Subject 2, you can sign up once you complete the required training hours. Nowadays, many driving schools offer intensive courses, and practicing continuously for a week is usually enough to pass. However, scheduling Subject 3 is the toughest due to limited exam slots and high demand, with some people waiting half a month just to get a spot. If you fail, you’ll have to wait another 10 days for a retake. The smoothest case here was a student who started practicing Subject 2 right after passing Subject 1, secured a Subject 3 slot exactly 30 days later, and then passed Subject 4 that same afternoon to get the license immediately. But this requires perfect timing and luck—for most people, setting aside a month and a half is safer.

Just got my license last month, sharing my personal timeline. Counting from the day I passed Subject 1, I took Subject 2 on the 10th day (practiced 3 hours daily at the driving school), then started competing for a Subject 3 test slot. I checked the traffic management 12123 app daily for openings and secured a slot on the 28th day, passing the road test in one go. Right after, I headed to the theory test center and obtained my license two hours later by passing Subject 4. The whole process took 33 days, but this was an exceptionally smooth case. The key factor is the availability of Subject 3 slots – a fellow trainee waited 20 days just to get a test slot. Also, if you keep hitting the lines during reverse parking in Subject 2, you might need extra practice time. I’d recommend setting aside 45 days to be realistic.

The driving test schedule is constrained by policies. Traffic regulations clearly require a minimum 30-day interval between the written test (Subject 1) and the road test (Subject 3) - this is the absolute shortest timeframe. For Subject 2 (parking skills), you can schedule the test as soon as the required practice hours are completed. Nowadays, the app shows your progress, and generally 10-15 days are sufficient. The real bottleneck is scheduling Subject 3 - each test center only releases dozens of slots daily. During peak seasons like summer/winter breaks, waiting 1-2 months isn't uncommon. Subject 4 (theory) is simpler - you can take it anytime after passing Subject 3. In an extremely ideal scenario: pass Subject 1 on Day 0, Subject 2 on Day 10, Subject 3 on the morning of Day 30, and get your license that afternoon. But the odds of this happening are barely better than winning the lottery.


