Is it mandatory to shift to 4th gear in Subject 3?

[Melissa]

During the gear shifting exercise in Subject 3, it is necessary to shift up to 4th gear. The speed requirement is between 25-57 km/h. The gear requirement specifies that you must maintain a speed of 35 km/h in 4th gear for more than 3 seconds. This means that during the Subject 3 test, once the gear is in 4th, the vehicle speed must not drop below 35 km/h, and this speed must be sustained for over 3 seconds. The standard for gear and speed matching is as follows: 1st gear corresponds to 0-27 km/h, 2nd gear to 5-37 km/h, 3rd gear to 15-47 km/h, 4th gear to 25-57 km/h, and 5th gear to 35-61 km/h.

[Gama]

I remember when taking the driving test, Subject 3 did require shifting up to 4th gear, which is basically a mandatory requirement in most parts of the country to test gear-shifting proficiency and prevent new drivers from only driving at low speeds. In the manual transmission test, you must accelerate to around 40 km/h to engage 4th gear, and the examiner watches closely—failure to do so results in immediate point deductions or failure. This is not just a technical requirement but also a habit to develop. Driving only in lower gears leads to higher fuel consumption and stalling risks, affecting traffic flow. I recommend practicing in advance, especially on straight roads, to avoid fumbling during the test. Local syllabi may have slight variations, so follow regional guidelines, but don’t risk skipping this step.

[Molly]

Failing to shift into 4th gear during the driving test (Subject 3) usually results in failure. I almost failed because of this when taking the test in Beijing. The examiner checks whether you can smoothly operate a manual transmission - reaching 4th gear demonstrates control. You can't engage 4th unless speed exceeds 35 km/h, so accelerate to a safe speed before shifting - don't rush. This relates to safety; driving at highway speeds in 2nd or 3rd gear wastes fuel and may trigger warning lights. During the test, stay relaxed. I memorized this routine during practice: accelerate to 40 km/h, ease off the gas while depressing the clutch, then shift smoothly into 4th. Developing this habit makes long-distance driving much easier.

[KinsleyLee]

Last time I helped my friend prepare for the Category 3 driving test, I found that shifting up to 4th gear was mandatory. He almost forgot to operate it, which nearly caused him to retake the test. In manual transmission vehicle tests, shifting up to 4th gear is a standard requirement, otherwise you'll lose all points. The examiner will ask you to demonstrate gear shifting on a designated road section, with 4th gear being the highest checkpoint. This proves you understand the matching of speed and gear, avoiding the issues of low-speed high-gear or high-speed low-gear. Practice multiple times in open areas during training, don't wait until the test road to mess it up.