Is it acceptable to drive in third gear below 20 mph during the Subject 3 test?
2 Answers
It is acceptable to drive in third gear below 20 mph during the Subject 3 test. However, driving in fourth gear below 20 km/h will result in failure. First and second gears are low-speed gears. During the Subject 3 test, first gear is used for starting and making U-turns, while second gear is used for turning. After shifting to second gear, if the road conditions ahead are ideal, accelerate, release the throttle, press the clutch, and immediately shift to third gear. Third gear is a medium-speed gear. After shifting to third gear, observe the road conditions again. If the conditions are good, shift directly to fourth gear, press the accelerator to increase speed, and finally shift to fifth gear. Additional information: 1. Operation process: Gear shifting involves the driver's psychological and physiological movements to continuously change the position of the gear lever based on road conditions and vehicle speed changes. 2. Note: During long-term driving, the term has become popular due to its simplicity and directness. It is used very frequently. Moreover, the proficiency in operation (especially for manual transmission vehicles) directly affects driving safety.
In the driving test's Subject 3, using third gear at speeds below 20 km/h is definitely inappropriate. Based on my experience, each gear of a car has an optimal speed range, with third gear typically designed for 30 to 50 km/h. If the speed drops below 20 km/h, the engine RPM will be too low, potentially causing lugging or stalling, which the examiner would consider an operational error affecting your score. During practice, I advise students to closely monitor the speedometer and avoid prolonged use of high gears at low speeds; if the speed falls below 20 km/h, promptly shifting to second gear is safer. The test emphasizes smooth driving and safety awareness. Incorrect speed-gear matching not only risks failing but also reflects poor driving habits. Developing proper gear-shifting habits ensures passing on the first attempt and benefits daily driving. Remember, use lower gears at low speeds and higher gears at high speeds—always prioritize smooth vehicle operation.