Is there any issue if I paid the driving school but haven't taken the Subject 1 test yet?
3 Answers
There is no issue if you paid the driving school but haven't taken the Subject 1 test yet. The validity period of the driving test starts from the date you pass the Subject 1 test. If you never take the Subject 1 test, it won't be counted within the validity period. After passing Subject 1, you must complete Subjects 2, 3, and 4 within 3 years; otherwise, your test qualification will be canceled. Subject 1: Traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test. The question bank structure and basic question types are formulated by the Ministry of Public Security, while provincial traffic management departments establish localized question banks based on regional conditions. Subject 2: Field driving skills test, including: reverse parking, slope parking and starting, right-angle turns, curve driving, and parallel parking. Subject 3: Road driving skills test. Basic test items include: pre-driving preparation (walking counterclockwise around the vehicle, fastening seatbelt, activating left turn signal, shifting gear, releasing handbrake, honking before starting), straight-line driving, lane changing, passing intersections, pulling over, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting vehicles, overtaking, U-turns, and night driving. Subject 4: Safe and civilized driving knowledge test, covering: safe and civilized driving-related knowledge.
Last year, I enrolled in a driving school and paid the tuition fee, but I kept procrastinating and didn’t take the Theory Test (Subject 1). Between being busy with work and sheer laziness, I only recently found out from the driving school that if you don’t take Subject 1 within a year of enrollment, the tuition fee might not be refunded, and you’d have to reapply and pay extra unnecessary costs. On top of that, I’ve forgotten all the Subject 1 rules, making revision even harder. A reminder to everyone: schedule your exam as soon as you enroll—don’t waste the opportunity. If you’re genuinely too busy, communicate with the driving school in advance for an extension, though it’s usually only for a short period. Procrastination not only costs money but also delays your progress in subsequent tests. Policies vary by driving school and location, so reviewing the contract carefully is key to avoiding trouble. In short, once you’ve paid, don’t delay taking Subject 1.
I've encountered a similar situation before, where I paid the fee but didn't take the subject one test in time. After waiting for a few months, the driving school notified me that my qualification was about to expire. Experience tells me that it's better to act early after signing up for the driving test to save trouble. Once the fee is paid, it won't be refunded if you delay too long; rules might get updated, making revision more difficult. I suggest checking the driving school's regulations—usually, you have to complete the tests within three years, but delaying the subject one test can easily set you back. Contact the driving school to ask about extension options to protect your rights. Once you've signed up, start studying as soon as possible to avoid regrets later. Delaying too long might also require retaking the theoretical course, costing extra money and effort. Everyone should handle such small matters carefully.
