Should You Press the Clutch When Making a U-Turn in Subject 3?
2 Answers
You do not need to press the clutch when making a U-turn in Subject 3. Specific steps for making a U-turn in Subject 3: Upon hearing the voice prompt "Please make a U-turn ahead," observe the road conditions. If there is sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead or no vehicle in front, press the brake to slow down. When the speed drops below 10 km/h, shift to 1st gear, turn on the left turn signal, glance at the left rearview mirror to confirm rear traffic safety, and after 3 seconds, perform the lane change operation, gradually moving into the U-turn lane. Situations where U-turns are not allowed in Subject 3: Do not make a U-turn on a pedestrian crossing, nor stop and wait on it. You must pass the pedestrian crossing before making a U-turn. If making a U-turn at a traffic light intersection where the center line near your side is solid, wait for the green light and cross the stop line to make the U-turn.
As a driving instructor, I've seen countless students handling U-turns during their road test. Pressing the clutch is almost mandatory during U-turn operations because the vehicle speed is slow, and depressing the clutch prevents engine stalling. If you don't press it, the car may jerk and stall easily, leading to immediate point deductions by the examiner. The test standards are strict, with speed control being a key focus, and the half-clutch state is the safest. I always recommend practicing different scenarios during training, such as U-turns on narrow roads or curves, where pressing the clutch steadily combined with braking ensures smooth steering. Don't forget to check if the gear is in first or second; higher gears pose greater risks during U-turns. Develop good habits to pass the test in one go.
