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