How to Shift Gears in Subject Three Driving Test?

[Paisley]

Here are the gear shifting techniques: When starting the vehicle, use first gear: Make sure to fully depress the clutch when shifting gears; otherwise, you may encounter difficulty engaging the gear. Shift gears progressively: accelerate to upshift, decelerate to downshift: Speed and gear must always match. Shifting should be done one gear at a time—do not skip gears. When decelerating, first reduce the speed before downshifting. If you accidentally shift into the wrong gear, fully depress the clutch and shift again. Shift quickly but smoothly: When adjusting gears, shift promptly once the speed drops—speed is crucial. The "100-meter gear change" exercise in the test evaluates the candidate's shifting speed.

[StCayden]

I've been teaching people to drive for many years, and the key to smooth gear shifting in the third test lies in steadiness and fluidity. When shifting gears, press the clutch pedal all the way down without hesitation; use your right hand to move the gear lever. Start in first gear, then shift to second when the speed reaches about 20 km/h, third at 30 km/h, and fourth at 40 km/h. Release the clutch slowly, find the engagement point accurately, and lightly tap the accelerator—don’t stomp on it—to avoid jerking or stalling. During the test, examiners particularly dislike seeing drivers look down at the gear lever, so practice the feel and memorize the gear positions to avoid this. Avoid sudden acceleration, and ensure gear shifts match the speed—low gear at high speed wastes fuel, while high gear at low speed risks stalling. Newbies often release the clutch too quickly, causing stalls at startup; I recommend finding an empty space to practice clutch control and get familiar with the half-engagement point. Make it a habit to glance at the speedometer before shifting to avoid speeding or mismatched gears. In short, smooth operation is the core, and mastering it will make passing the test easy.

[McEdward]

I just passed the third driving test, and my experience is not to panic when shifting gears. Press the clutch pedal all the way down, otherwise the gear won't engage; just gently push the gear lever in, don't use too much force, especially when shifting from neutral to first gear to start. It feels smooth when shifting to second gear at around 20 km/h. Coordinating the throttle when releasing the clutch is crucial—I kept stalling at first because I released it too quickly. During the test, shift gears naturally without looking down, as the examiner deducts points strictly. In the road test section, upshift based on speed: shift to third gear at 25-30 km/h, and fourth gear at around 40 km/h; downshifting is similar, return to second gear when slowing down to 20 km/h. Practice coordinating the throttle and clutch more, release the clutch slowly while adding some throttle. During my test, I stayed relaxed, and shifting gears smoothly without hesitation led to success. Spend more effort practicing to find the clutch point, and once you're familiar with the car's condition, it becomes much easier.

[DelJohnny]

Car enthusiasts are skilled at shifting gears. In the driving test (Section 3), gear shifting needs to be fast and smooth: depress the clutch fully, move the gear lever smoothly into position—for example, start in first gear, shift to second at 20 km/h. Release the clutch without delay, adding a bit of throttle to complete the motion seamlessly. Speed matching must be precise: second gear under 20 km/h, third gear under 40 km/h—don’t drag out the shift. The test requires no looking down; rely on feel and rhythm. A few more drives will help you master speed awareness. Don’t force the gear lever; a light push is enough—excessive force may lead to point deductions. During practice, find the semi-engaged clutch position and control it well.

[DanteMarie]

I drive a manual transmission car daily, and the gear shifting in Subject 3 is similar to real-road driving. The key trio is pressing the clutch, shifting gears, and releasing the clutch. The test emphasizes smoothness: shift to second gear when speed reaches 20 km/h, and to third at 30 km/h; release the clutch slowly while lightly pressing the accelerator to avoid jerking. On the test route, don’t rush to shift—observe road conditions and match speed. Beginners often make the mistake of releasing the clutch too quickly, causing the car to shake. Practice finding the clutch’s engagement point more. Prioritize safe driving, stay focused while shifting, and you’ll pass the test smoothly.