Is it a violation for a student to talk during the Subject 3 driving test?
2 Answers
There is no explicit rule prohibiting students from talking during the Subject 3 driving test, but it does not guarantee 100% success. Below are details about common mistakes made during the Subject 3 test: 1. Unfamiliarity with the test route: Due to various reasons, students are usually not very familiar with the test route, which may cause anxiety. In reality, most Subject 3 test routes consist of three possible paths. Trying to memorize the route while focusing on driving skills is not very useful and may even hinder performance. 2. Turning signal activated for less than 3 seconds: During the right-turn assessment at intersections, students must activate the right-turn signal for at least 3 seconds before turning. Some students turn immediately after activating the signal without waiting for 3 seconds. In real driving situations, if the vehicle behind is following closely and the front vehicle slows down to turn without proper signal indication, a collision may occur. The same applies to left turns. Additionally, when making a U-turn, students should first activate the left-turn signal, then brake smoothly to reduce speed before turning. Many students lose points because they start the U-turn before the signal has been active for 3 seconds or because they brake abruptly. 3. Gear and speed mismatch: The gear-shifting operation is another common point of failure in the Subject 3 test. Students must understand which gear corresponds to which speed. Many students remember to brake when passing intersections or school zones but forget to downshift, causing the vehicle to jerk severely, which leads to test failure. 4. Right-turn signal not kept on during roadside parking: When pulling over, students must keep the right-turn signal on until the maneuver is complete. Many students lose points because the signal turns off automatically, yet they continue to park. Additionally, some students make the mistake of unbuckling their seatbelt prematurely before the onboard computer confirms the test has ended, leading to last-minute errors.
Having worked at a driving school for many years, I've coached numerous students for the Road Test (Section 3). According to regulations, examinees must maintain full focus on driving tasks throughout the test. While speaking during the exam isn't necessarily an explicit violation, examiners strictly evaluate whether candidates operate the vehicle independently and safely. If you talk while driving—especially engaging in non-essential communication like asking for directions or casual chatting—it can easily be interpreted as distracted driving or reliance on external prompts, leading to point deductions or even failure. For instance, last time a student tried chatting with the examiner to ease nerves but was directly failed for unsafe behavior. During training, I always emphasize developing the habit of only following instructions without speaking, concentrating fully on road conditions and operational details—this is key to passing. The core of obtaining a driver's license is proving your ability to drive safely; even small talk can have major consequences.
