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

[MacZoe]

During the gear shifting exercise in Subject 3, it is required to shift up to 4th gear. The speed requirement is between 25-57 km/h. The gear requirement specifies that when driving in 4th gear, the vehicle speed must not be lower than 35 km/h for more than 3 seconds. In other words, during the Subject 3 test, once the gear is in 4th, the vehicle speed must not drop below 35 km/h and must be maintained for over 3 seconds. The gear-speed matching standards are 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.

[LeilaniMarie]

It depends on where you take the test! Driving instructors in our area all emphasize shifting up to 4th gear because the exam grading criteria include gear shifting operations, with 4th gear being the highest required. I remember on my driving test day, my instructor specifically reminded me to engage 4th gear for about 5 seconds during the straight-line driving section, maintaining a speed between 30 to 40 km/h for safety. However, friends who took the test in northern regions mentioned some test routes are shorter, allowing them to pass using only 3rd gear throughout. The most reliable approach is to thoroughly understand your local test center's requirements in advance. Sometimes exam vehicles have different gear configurations - if you encounter an old manual-transmission Santana, you might pass by using only 2nd and 3rd gears, but practicing gear shifts more is always safer.

[OMarley]

When I was practicing for the driving test (Subject 3), my coach marked several key locations on the map and repeatedly emphasized the necessity of shifting up to the 4th gear. He mentioned that the examiner would focus on three aspects during the gear shifting test: whether the timing of gear shifting was correct, the coordination between the accelerator and clutch, and whether the operation met the highest gear requirement. Our test route included a long straight section specifically designed for gear shifting, requiring a gradual shift from 2nd gear up to 4th gear and maintaining it for over five seconds. However, a friend from a neighboring city said her test had a speed limit of 30 km/h throughout, and she managed with just the 3rd gear. My advice is to practice shifting to the 4th gear thoroughly during training. Even if the test doesn’t mandate it, being proficient will help, as you’ll definitely need higher gears when driving on highways later on.

[LaLeah]

Whether to shift to 4th gear in Subject 3 really varies by region. When I took the test in Guangdong last year, the instructor kept emphasizing the necessity of using 4th gear during training, only to find out on exam day that new regulations allowed completing the entire test in 3rd gear. Later, I asked friends who took the driving test in other provinces and discovered that some test centers in mountainous areas simply didn't have conditions for higher gears. The key is to check the exam outline requirements—if your regional test items include gear shifting exercises, it's likely mandatory to reach 4th gear; if it only assesses comprehensive driving skills, examiners might be more lenient. My advice is to thoroughly practice the highest gear in the training car before the test, so you can handle the voice prompt with ease when it comes.

[McKathryn]

From the perspective of driving skill development, mastering fourth gear operation is essential even if not mandated by the test center. My driving instructor always emphasized that practicing fourth gear helps trainees experience steering control and speed perception at higher velocities. The test route typically includes a straight section where examinees must accelerate to about 40 km/h, shift to fourth gear, and maintain it for 10-15 meters. The challenge lies in precise shift timing - shifting below 2000 RPM causes shuddering, while exceeding 2500 RPM often results in jerking. Many examinees lose points due to nervousness and forgetting to upshift. More importantly, real-world driving requires more than just low gears - modern vehicles usually have five or six gears. Mastering fourth gear in the third driving test phase lays the foundation for actual road conditions.

[DiWillow]

The key to this question lies in whether you're taking the test with a manual or automatic transmission vehicle. When I took the manual test, shifting up to 4th gear was indeed required, and the examiner would closely monitor gear changes during straight-line acceleration sections. There's a handy rhyme for the operation: start in 2nd gear when crossing intersections, shift to 3rd to exceed 30 km/h, and promptly shift to 4th when the road opens up. However, automatic transmission test-takers don't need to worry about gears at all - speed control depends entirely on the accelerator. Additionally, standards vary across test centers; in urban areas with heavy traffic, reaching 3rd gear might suffice. Our instructors always take students to scout the route beforehand, memorizing which sections require top gear, preparing to ease off the accelerator for gear changes during the test. Ultimately, practicing exactly as your instructor teaches is safest, as they know local evaluation criteria best.