Is there a voice prompt for gear shifting in Subject 3?
2 Answers
There is no voice prompt for gear shifting in Subject 3, but there is a distance limit. Within the specified distance, you must shift from first gear to third gear, otherwise you will fail. The time for gear shifting in Subject 3 is usually one minute and thirty seconds. The driving distance using first and second gears should not exceed 500 meters. In the Subject 3 test, you start with first gear and can shift to second gear once the vehicle starts moving. When driving in second gear, accelerate to 20 km/h to shift to third gear. When the speed exceeds 30 km/h, you can shift to fourth gear. When turning halfway, accelerate to shift from second gear to third gear. After shifting to third gear, release the throttle. Once the turn is completed, the system will prompt you to shift down to second gear (you must complete the action within five seconds). Then, the system will prompt you to shift up to third gear again, also within five seconds. During the test, when you hear the voice prompt "Please complete the gear shifting action," you should adjust the gear to second gear, then sequentially shift up to fifth gear. In fifth gear, the speed must exceed 40 km/h, and then you should sequentially shift down to second gear. Gear and speed must match. Check the dashboard. When passing through school zones, you must be in third gear at speeds below 30 km/h. Using fourth gear or exceeding 30 km/h will result in failure. Remember to downshift when reducing speed. When shifting gears, press the clutch all the way down, shift gears, release the clutch, and accelerate. Do not release the clutch too quickly to avoid vehicle jerking. Do not skip gears when upshifting, and do not look at the gear lever when shifting.
As a driving school instructor who frequently accompanies students during tests, I know that the gear shifting operation in Subject 3 comes with voice prompts. The test vehicle system typically issues commands through the speaker, such as 'Please perform gear shifting operation' or similar instructions, guiding candidates to practice upshifting and downshifting in designated sections. This design ensures candidates follow the sequence correctly and avoid mistakes due to nervousness. After the prompt, candidates must respond within a few seconds, or they will lose points. I advise students to practice with simulated voice prompts during training to get used to the rhythm, using coaching cars equipped with voice functions for repeated drills. During the test, the voice prompts help beginners focus on driving rather than memorizing steps, but mastering the shifting technique itself is more crucial—such as maintaining steady speed and shifting smoothly without jerking. The test aims to cultivate safe driving habits, and voice prompts are merely transitional tools; real-world driving requires independent judgment of road conditions for gear changes. Remember, with enough practice, the voice prompts will become second nature.
