Is an ID card required for the Subject 1 test?
4 Answers
You only need to bring your ID card for the test. The admission ticket and other documents are handled by the driving school, which will distribute them during the test. Electronic IDs are not accepted for the test. If you don't have an ID card, you can apply for a temporary ID card, which has the same validity as a regular ID card. The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" clearly state that you can take the Subject 1 test twice on the same day. If you fail the first attempt, you can retake it for free a second time. If you fail the second attempt, the Subject 1 test will be terminated, and you can only reschedule the test after ten days. The Subject 1 test consists of 100 questions, including single-choice and true/false questions, each worth 1 point, totaling 100 points. If you answer 11 questions incorrectly during the test, the system will automatically submit the test and end it. The Subject 1 test is computer-based and lasts 45 minutes. The content of the Subject 1 test includes: regulations on driver's licenses and motor vehicle management; road traffic conditions and rules; traffic safety violations and penalties; regulations on road traffic accident handling; 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. Notes for the Subject 1 test: During the test, students should pay attention to their attire—no slippers are allowed. Electronic devices and bags are not permitted in the examination room. Bring your ID card and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the notes and procedures on the large screen and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the examination room. Upon entering the examination room, the identity verification station will assign a seat. After finding your seat, begin the test. Ensure the camera is aimed at you and follow test discipline. If you fail the first attempt, there is a retake opportunity on the same day. If you fail again, you will need to pay to reschedule. After the test, queue to collect your score report and sign it. Failure to sign will render the test invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can reschedule the Subject 1 test. Each subject can be taken once, with one retake opportunity if you fail. If you do not take the retake or fail the retake, the test will be terminated, and you must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, there are only five test attempts. Subject 2 and Subject 3 tests can be rescheduled after ten days. If you fail the Subject 3 safety and civilized driving knowledge test, the passed road driving skills test results remain valid. There are three subjects in the driving test: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the test on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills test. Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4. However, there is no official term "Subject 4" in the actual regulations (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123).
Just last month, I accompanied my younger brother to take the Subject 1 test, so I remember it very clearly! On the exam day, you must bring the original ID card. The card reader at the exam center entrance directly scans the chip information. If your ID card is demagnetized or about to expire, you should go and reapply for a new one immediately—I saw two students get stopped at the entrance and they were so anxious they were practically jumping in frustration. If you really lose your ID card, don’t panic; a temporary ID card will also work, but electronic IDs and social security cards are definitely not acceptable. Oh, and I suggest arriving half an hour early—the queue for facial verification takes longer than you’d think.
From a driving instructor's perspective: Your ID card is the pass to enter the examination site. Forgetting it means giving up the test. I've encountered more complicated situations, like when a student's ID address had one character different from the registration information, causing a half-day hassle before being allowed in. Nowadays, facial recognition at test centers is extremely strict - those wearing large circle lenses or who've had plastic surgery should remember to report in advance. For retakes, you'll need to bring the "Driving Learning Certificate" as well. Keeping it in a document folder together with your ID card is the safest approach.
Examination staff revealed a detail: During the morning rush hour, they often encounter candidates who forget their ID cards. The safest approach is to place the ID card in a conspicuous location the night before the exam, alongside your phone and car keys. Out-of-town candidates should note that a residence permit cannot be used as a substitute for an ID card. There have been cases where individuals attempted to use a passport, but this is also not acceptable—only the original Mainland China resident ID card is valid.
