How soon can I retake the test if I fail the Subject 1 exam?
2 Answers
You need to wait 10 days before scheduling a retake. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the Subject 1 make-up exam allows two attempts on the same day. If you fail the first attempt, you can take a second one for free. If you fail the second attempt, the Subject 1 exam is terminated. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical driving test or driver's theory exam, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The test covers theoretical driving knowledge, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related content. The exam is computer-based with 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, the system will automatically submit the exam and end the test. Subject 1 test content includes: driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and rules; road 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 must dress appropriately—no slippers are allowed. Electronic devices and bags are prohibited in the exam room. Bring your ID card and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the instructions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the exam room. At the identity verification station, you will be assigned a seat. Once seated, begin the exam. Ensure the camera is aligned with you and follow exam discipline. If you fail the first attempt, a same-day retake is available. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After the exam, queue to collect your score report and sign it. An unsigned report is 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 retake if you fail. If you skip the retake or fail it, the exam is terminated, and you must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, there are only five exam attempts. Scheduling for Subject 2 and Subject 3 must be done at least 10 days later. If you fail the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test, your passing score for the road driving skills test remains valid. The driver's license test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and knowledge test; Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills test; Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safe driving knowledge. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4, though this term is not officially recognized in regulations (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123).
When I failed my first driving theory test, I felt quite nervous. After checking, I found out that you usually have to wait 10 days to retake it. Don't waste those 10 days—review your mistakes right away. For example, I realized I kept mixing up traffic signal rules, so I focused on that section. Practicing daily with a mobile app for mock tests really helped; just one hour a day made passing the retake much easier. Book your retest early—don't wait until the last day. A solid foundation in safe driving basics ensures peace of mind on the road. A friend of mine had the same experience and passed smoothly after staying calm. Retake opportunities are valuable—use the time to reinforce your learning and avoid future driving issues. Understanding the theory makes practical driving more reliable.
