Is simulator training mandatory for Subject 2?

[ElijahFitz]

Subject 2 requires simulator training. According to the "Road Traffic Law of the People's Republic of China," learners must complete the designated hours of simulator training before taking the Subject 2 exam. The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" clearly states that no more than 4 hours of training can be completed per day, and a total of 16 practical training hours plus 4 theoretical hours must be fulfilled before scheduling the exam. The term "simulator training hours for Subject 2" refers to the minimum number of training hours required before taking the exam. For C1 licenses, Subject 2 requires 16 hours, while for C2 licenses, it requires 14 hours. Certain topics within Subject 2, such as "standard operation of controls," "vehicle inspection and adjustment before starting," "driving under adverse conditions," "mountain road driving," and "highway driving," can be taught using driving simulators, totaling 4 hours. Taking the most common C1 and C2 training models in driving schools as examples, Subject 1 requires 12 hours of training, while Subject 2 requires 16 hours for manual transmission (C1) and 14 hours for automatic transmission (C2). This means learners must complete 16 hours of training for Subject 2 before they can schedule the exam. Subject 2, also known as the "small road test," is part of the motor vehicle driving license assessment and refers to the field driving skills test. For C1 and C2 licenses, the test includes five mandatory items: reverse parking, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, right-angle turns, and curve driving (commonly known as the S-curve). Some regions may also include a sixth item: highway toll card collection.

[MacAriana]

When I was learning to drive, I also struggled with this issue. Actually, it mainly depends on the driving school's requirements. In our area, the vehicle management office doesn't strictly require simulator training, but most driving schools recommend students to practice for at least a few hours. My instructor said that for complete beginners who have never touched a car, practicing steering wheel control and finding the clutch's half-engagement point on the simulator is particularly useful, especially when it's inconvenient to practice with a real car in rainy weather. Another advantage of simulators is that they don't consume fuel and there's no risk of scratches, allowing repeated practice of test items like reverse parking. However, real car practice is definitely indispensable, as the steering wheel feel and clutch pressure are completely different. I suggest you directly ask your instructor about local regulations. If it's not mandatory, practicing for about three hours to familiarize yourself with basic operations based on your situation should be sufficient.

[EdenFitz]

As someone who's been through it, let me share my experience. Before taking the driving test (Subject 2), I practiced for four hours on a simulator, mainly to familiarize myself with the test procedures and reference points. The simulator screen displays parking spaces and markings identical to those in the actual test center, allowing you to practice repeatedly until you're proficient. Especially helpful was practicing the distance perception seen in the rearview mirror during reverse parking – getting this right on the simulator before practicing with a real car made a big difference. However, it's important to note that no amount of simulator practice can replace real car practice, as you can't experience the actual steering wheel feedback or clutch vibration on a simulator. I recommend discussing with your instructor to arrange a balanced schedule – using the simulator to master procedures and the real car to develop tactile skills. This combination works best.

[AnnieAnn]

It really depends on local policies. In my area, simulator training costs extra, 60 yuan per hour, so the instructor lets students decide whether to practice or not. To be honest, simulators are quite suitable for timid learners—at least you won't hit anything, which helps reduce psychological pressure. However, practicing too long isn't good either. I have a friend who became very skilled on the simulator but struggled when switching to a real car, mainly due to the lack of real vibration feedback. If you have poor spatial awareness, I suggest practicing for just two hours to familiarize yourself with gear shifting and steering wheel operations. The key is to schedule more real-car training sessions, as the actual test uses real vehicles. Simulators can help identify and fill gaps, but don't rely on them to pass the test.