Is it allowed to shift gears twice in the Subject 2 driving test?
3 Answers
Shifting gears twice is not allowed in the Subject 2 driving test, and doing so will result in a direct deduction of 100 points. Here is a detailed introduction to Subject 2: Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and refers to the field driving skills test. For C1 and C2 licenses, the test includes five mandatory items: reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving through curves. Other common point deductions in Subject 2 include: 1. Not wearing a seatbelt: 100-point deduction. 2. Not closing the car door properly: 100-point deduction. 3. Not using turn signals: Failing to use turn signals when starting, turning, changing lanes, overtaking, or stopping, or using them for less than 3 seconds, results in a 10-point deduction. 4. Stalling the engine once: 10-point deduction.
I've been a driving instructor for over a decade, and this is one of the most frequently asked questions by students. In the slope starting exercise of Subject 2, if the vehicle stalls during the first gear shift, you are allowed to re-engage the gear. According to regulations, after the vehicle stalls, you must immediately shift to neutral, start the engine, and then shift back to first gear to start again. The entire process must be completed within 30 seconds. However, be careful not to make basic mistakes—if the vehicle stalls again after re-engaging the gear or rolls back more than 30 centimeters, you will fail immediately. During practice, I always emphasize that clutch control should be as gentle as handling an egg, especially in finding the semi-engaged position. Although a second gear shift is allowed, the pressure of the test can easily lead to panic, so it's best to succeed on the first attempt.
Just passed the subject two test, let me share my real experience. On the exam day, I encountered a stall during the hill start, but quickly re-engaged the gear and passed with a close call. When re-engaging gears, remember three key points: shift to neutral, pull the handbrake tight and ignite, slowly release the clutch to find the semi-engagement point after re-engaging the gear, and finally gently press the accelerator while releasing the handbrake. The whole process is timed by the examiner with a stopwatch and must be completed within 30 seconds. However, it's important to note that re-engaging gears doesn't mean you can make mistakes freely. If the vehicle rolls back too much or the engine stalls twice in a row, you'll be directly judged as unqualified. Developing stable operation habits during daily practice is the key.
