Is there a fee for retaking Subject 1?

[VanAnthony]

There is a retake fee for Subject 1. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," candidates can take the Subject 1 exam twice on the same day. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, the second retake is free. However, if the second attempt also fails, the Subject 1 exam is terminated, and the candidate must wait ten days before rescheduling. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical driving test, is part of the motor vehicle driving license assessment. The exam covers driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The Subject 1 test consists of 100 questions, divided into single-choice and true/false questions, each worth 1 point, totaling 100 points. If a candidate answers 11 questions incorrectly, the system will automatically submit the test and end the exam. The Subject 1 test is computer-based and has a time limit of 45 minutes. Subject 1 exam content: Driving license and motor vehicle management regulations; Road traffic conditions and regulations; Road 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), avoid bringing electronic devices or bags into the exam hall, carry their ID card, and queue to enter the waiting area. Observe the instructions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal belongings in lockers before entering the exam hall. Upon entering, candidates will be assigned a seat at the identity verification station. Once seated, the exam begins. Ensure the camera is properly aligned and follow exam rules. If the first attempt fails, a free retake is available on the same day. If the retake also fails, a fee is required to reschedule. After the exam, candidates must queue to collect and sign their score report; unsigned reports are invalid. There is no limit to the number of Subject 1 exam retakes. Each subject allows one retake after a failed attempt. If the retake is also failed, the exam is terminated, and the candidate must reschedule. In contrast, Subjects 2 and 3 have only five exam attempts. Subjects 2 and 3 can be rescheduled ten days after a failed attempt. If the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test is failed, the previously passed road driving skills test results remain valid. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 covers road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. Subject 2 is the field driving skills test. Subject 3 includes two parts: road driving skills and safe driving knowledge. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4. However, the official term (under the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123) does not include "Subject 4."

[HarleyMarie]

Last time I failed the driving license test (Subject 1) and had to retake it. The driving school said I needed to pay 150 yuan, which was slightly cheaper than the first attempt but still required payment. I wondered why—probably because retakes also incur costs for the test venue and examiners. After that failure, I practiced mock questions late into the night every day, using a free app to drill repeatedly until I finally passed. My advice: focus on practicing mock tests before the exam—don’t cram last-minute like I did—to save this expense. Fees vary by region—big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou may charge over 300 yuan, while smaller areas cost just 100+. Frequent retakes mean paying extra each time, adding up to a significant sum, so thorough initial preparation is key. Safe driving starts with theory—no room for carelessness.