Should You Shift to Neutral When Stopping at an Intersection in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Shifting to neutral is not required when stopping at an intersection in Subject 3. Situations where shifting to neutral is necessary are as follows: 1. Special circumstances: If you encounter special circumstances during Subject 3 that require stopping midway, you should shift to neutral. 2. Midway stops: Shifting to neutral is necessary to ensure driving safety. Relevant information about Subject 3 is as follows: 1. Subject 3: This is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment, officially known as the Road Driving Skills and Safe Civilized Driving Knowledge Test. 2. Test content: Includes vehicle preparation, light simulation test, starting, driving straight, gear shifting operations, lane changing, pulling over, proceeding straight through intersections, turning at intersections, meeting vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, night driving, etc. The specific test content varies depending on the type of vehicle license being pursued.
During the road test (Subject 3), it is indeed required to shift back to neutral gear and engage the handbrake when stopping at a red light intersection. This operation is one of the key assessment items, and examiners will specifically check it. Shifting to neutral ensures the vehicle comes to a complete stop, preventing rolling due to improper clutch operation; pulling the handbrake serves as a double safety measure, especially on slopes or inclined surfaces, further preventing accidental movement. During regular training, instructors repeatedly emphasize this action as it demonstrates your proficiency in vehicle control. Neglecting this will result in direct point deductions or even test failure. When coaching students, I often see them make careless mistakes – developing this habit also improves smoothness during startup. When the light turns green, shifting from neutral to first gear allows for smoother and safer acceleration while reducing engine strain. Ultimately, these test rules are designed to establish safe driving fundamentals and must be strictly followed.
Last month, I just passed the driving test for Subject 3, and my instructor specifically reminded me to shift to neutral and pull the handbrake when stopping at intersections. On the exam day, I carefully followed the procedure at every red light: first brake to a complete stop, then shift to neutral, and finally pull the handbrake. The examiner nodded in approval as he watched. The instructor said this proves you know how to control the vehicle and prevent the risk of rolling. When I first started practicing, I found it troublesome, but later, when trying it in a real car, I realized that if you don’t shift to neutral, the car might move slightly if your foot relaxes—which can be startling. Looking back after passing, these details helped build safety awareness and boosted my driving confidence. Now, while driving, I occasionally stay in first gear, but during the test, shifting to neutral is a strict requirement for beginners to establish good habits—it can’t be overlooked. Remember to practice this move often to breeze through the exam.
