Should You Apply the Brake When Changing Lanes in Subject Three?

[DeRiver]

Subject Three requires applying the brake when changing lanes. Content of Subject Three Test: The road driving skills test for Subject Three generally includes: preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting off, driving straight, gear shifting operations, changing lanes, parking by the roadside, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, passing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving. Precautions for the Subject Three Test: During the test, operate calmly. Do not let nervousness affect your performance in gear shifting and lighting operations, and avoid losing points on the simplest procedures.

[EmmaMarie]

As an examiner, regarding whether to brake during a lane change in Subject 3, braking is not a mandatory action in the standard procedure. The core requirements of the test are to check the rearview mirror, signal for more than three seconds, confirm the blind spot is safe, and then smoothly change lanes while maintaining appropriate speed control. If a vehicle behind is too close or you need to yield to a vehicle ahead, you can lightly brake to reduce speed to a safe level before changing lanes, which helps avoid penalties for emergency braking. A common mistake is when nervous students brake abruptly, causing vehicle instability and test failure. It is recommended to practice simulating different road conditions, such as urban roads and expressways, to learn how to balance distance and speed judgment. Safety comes first—developing this habit not only helps pass the test but also avoids rear-end risks in real driving.

[DeOwen]

When I was learning to drive, I was always afraid of having problems when changing lanes. The instructor repeatedly emphasized not to step on the brakes randomly unless the speed was too high, such as exceeding the speed limit on the highway. On regular streets, after turning on the signal, find the right moment and maintain a steady speed to smoothly merge into the lane. I passed the test smoothly because I first checked the rearview and side mirrors to confirm there were no cars, then adjusted the steering slightly to change lanes without touching the brakes at all. I still drive like this now—frequent braking can easily annoy drivers behind or even cause accidents. Remember to practice more to feel the changes in speed; controlling the throttle is more effective than the brakes, making driving safer.

[JudahLee]

Just passed the road test (Subject 3) recently. The instructor taught lane changing techniques and emphasized not to brake blindly. During the actual test, after signaling, observe clearly - if speed is below 50km/h, just change lanes smoothly. On highways with heavy traffic behind, slightly reduce speed but avoid sudden braking; I passed without braking during my test because I'd practiced simulated lane changes repeatedly to find the rhythm. A common mistake beginners make is braking too harshly, startling the examiner and losing safety points; recommend practicing low-speed lane changes more with instructors to reduce nervousness.