Is the Written Test (Subject 1) Limited to Only Five Attempts?
4 Answers
The written test (Subject 1) is not limited to only five attempts. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," candidates can take the Subject 1 test twice on the same day. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, a free retake is allowed for the second attempt. If the second attempt also fails, the Subject 1 test is terminated for that day, and the candidate must wait ten days before rescheduling. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical driving test or driver's theory exam, is part of the motor vehicle driving license assessment. The test covers foundational driving theory, road safety laws and regulations, local traffic rules, and related knowledge. The exam is conducted on a computer with a time limit of 45 minutes. To pass the Subject 1 test, a score of 90 out of 100 is required. The test consists of 100 questions, including single-choice and true/false questions, each worth one point. If a candidate answers 11 questions incorrectly during the exam, the system will automatically submit the test and end the session. Subject 1 test content includes: driving license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and rules; traffic safety violations and penalties; road traffic accident handling regulations; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Subject 1 exam precautions: Candidates should dress appropriately (no slippers) and are prohibited from bringing electronic devices or bags into the exam hall. They must bring their ID card and queue to enter the waiting area. Observe the instructions and procedures displayed on the screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the exam hall. Upon entering, candidates will be assigned a seat at the identity verification desk. Once seated, the test begins. Ensure the camera is properly aligned and follow exam discipline. If the first attempt fails, a same-day retake is allowed. If the retake also fails, a fee must be paid to reschedule. After completion, queue to collect the score report and sign it—unsigned reports are considered invalid. There is no limit to the number of times Subject 1 can be scheduled. Each subject test allows one retake if the initial attempt fails. If the retake is not taken or also fails, the test session ends, and the applicant must reschedule. In contrast, Subject 2 and Subject 3 are limited to five attempts each, with rescheduling allowed only after ten days. If the Subject 3 safety and civilized driving knowledge test is failed, the passed road driving skills test score remains valid. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam. Subject 2 is the field driving skills test. Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4, though this term is not officially recognized in the regulations (i.e., Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123).
As someone who has been dealing with the driver training industry for years, I have to say there's no limit on the number of attempts for Subject One. It's clearly stated in the traffic laws—you can keep taking it until you pass, with a 10-day waiting period between retakes. However, the JMV 12123 exam booking system is quite popular now, and you often have to queue. The longest I've seen someone take was seven attempts to pass. The key is to thoroughly master the 1300+ questions in the question bank and repeatedly practice the ones you get wrong. Also, a reminder: Subject Two and Subject Three have a limit of five attempts, while Subject One and Subject Four can be taken as many times as needed, but you'll have to pay a retake fee each time.
Last year, I thoroughly researched this while accompanying my cousin for his driver's license test. It's a well-established fact that there's no limit to the number of attempts for Subject One—the DMV system records exam attempts but doesn't restrict retakes. The main constraint is actually the three-year validity period: counting from the day you pass Subject One, you must complete the remaining three subjects within three years. My cousin was so nervous the first time that his hands shook, and he failed, but he passed easily when he retook it two weeks later. I recommend using the mock exams in the 'Driving Test Prep' app for practice—aim for five consecutive scores above 95 before attempting the real test to save yourself unnecessary back-and-forth hassle.
I was also nervous when I first started learning to drive. I specifically asked the driving school instructor, who clearly said that the written test (Subject 1) is easy to pass, but the key restriction is the time interval between attempts. When scheduling a retake, note that you have to wait 10 days—not calendar days. Last time I failed on a Tuesday, so I could only schedule the next attempt for the following Friday. On exam day, bring your ID card and file. You get two attempts at the test center. Recently, local questions have been added to the question bank, bringing the total to over 1,400 questions. Before the exam, make sure the driving school updates your materials to the latest version.
