Is it necessary to book the test before practicing for Subject 2?

[McEliza]

Requirements vary in different regions. In some areas, you can practice driving without prior booking, while others mandate booking the test first. 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 skill test. Additional information: Subject 2 practice takes place in a closed driving school environment where trainees primarily use training vehicles. This allows them to become familiar with the clutch of the training car. However, exam vehicles at the test center may have different clutch characteristics compared to training vehicles, which is an important point for trainees to note. Therefore, before taking the Subject 2 test, trainees should undergo mock exams.

[OBentley]

Based on my years of experience with the driving test process, for Subject 2, it's common practice to complete training before scheduling the test. The standard procedure is that your driving instructor will only allow you to compete for a test slot on the Traffic Management 12123 app once they deem you qualified. I've seen several impatient students who scheduled the test without sufficient practice, resulting in failing three times in a row—wasting exam fees and time. Currently, the waiting time for scheduling isn't short, so booking too early can add unnecessary pressure. I recommend solidly practicing for at least 20 hours and only scheduling the test after your instructor confirms your stability in S-turns and reverse parking. Especially for automatic transmission cars, which tend to roll back on slopes, you should be able to perform three consecutive perfect starts before considering yourself ready. Remember, in the last three days before the test, be sure to take mock exams, paying special attention to familiarizing yourself with the clutch tightness of the test vehicle.

[Maggie]

I failed my driving test (Subject 2) once because I scheduled the exam too early. At that time, I had only practiced a dozen times, and the instructor said I could give it a try. As a result, I immediately crossed the line during the reverse parking. Later, I learned that I could continue practicing after scheduling the exam, but my mindset was completely different. Under the new regulations, it is recommended to master at least these three skills before scheduling the exam: stopping within 30cm on the slope, completing parallel parking without hitting the poles, and making right-angle turns without crossing the corners. In Shanghai, scheduling the exam takes about half a month, so I will use this time to focus on my weak areas, such as adjusting the rearview mirror during reverse parking. Remember to bring a towel—rainy weather can blur the rearview mirror and affect your reference points.

[Joel]

Scheduling tests and practice sessions should be dynamically adjusted. In big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, there are long queues for test appointments, so you need to grab a spot two weeks in advance. In such cases, it's better to secure a slot first and then intensify training. However, in second- and third-tier cities, you can often book a test on the same day, so it's more reliable to wait for your instructor to confirm your readiness before grabbing a test slot. Last week, I encountered a student who rushed to book a test but couldn't even accurately judge the 30-centimeter line for a right-angle turn. The pass rate for such hasty attempts is at most 30%. Nowadays, test vehicles are much more sensitive than training cars, so I recommend at least five rounds of on-site simulation before taking the actual test. Don’t believe the so-called ‘book a slot first’ advice—failing and having to reschedule will only cause more delays.