What are the main topics covered in Subject 1 of the driving test?
3 Answers
The questions in Subject 1 of the motor vehicle driver's license test are divided into single-choice questions and true/false questions, totaling 100 questions. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," each question is worth 1 point, with a total score of 100. If 11 questions are answered incorrectly during the test, the system will automatically submit the test and end the exam. Subject 1, also known as the theoretical test or driver's theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The test content includes driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The test is conducted on a computer, with a time limit of 45 minutes. The content of Subject 1 includes: driver's license and motor vehicle management regulations; road traffic conditions and rules; road traffic safety violations and penalties; road traffic accident handling regulations; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Test precautions for Subject 1: Candidates should pay attention to their attire, no slippers are allowed, electronic devices and bags are not permitted in the test room, bring an ID card, and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the precautions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal belongings in a locker before entering the test room. Upon entering the test room, the identity verification station will assign a seat. After finding the seat, the test begins. Ensure the camera is aligned with you and follow test discipline. If you fail the first time, there is a retake opportunity on the same day. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After the test, queue to collect the score report and sign it. Failure to sign will render the test invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can schedule Subject 1. Each subject can be taken once, and if you fail, you can retake it once. If you do not take the retake or fail the retake, the test will be terminated, and the applicant must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, there are only five attempts. Subject 2 and Subject 3 tests must be scheduled ten days later. If you fail the Subject 3 safe and civilized driving knowledge test, the passed road driving skills test scores remain valid. There are three subjects in the driving test: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test; Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills test; Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safe and civilized driving knowledge test. The safe and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4. However, there is no official term "Subject 4" in the actual regulations (i.e., the Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123).
The Subject 1 test mainly assesses your understanding of traffic regulations and basic safety awareness in driving. The questions are roughly divided into several categories: Traffic signal-related questions account for a large proportion, such as the meanings of various traffic lights and signs, especially confusing speed limit signs; Road safety driving rules, like precautions for meeting and overtaking vehicles, and key points for driving in bad weather—this section often includes questions combined with accident scene diagrams; Basic vehicle knowledge is also quite important, such as what warning lights on the dashboard indicate, and vehicle inspection cycles; There are also legal responsibilities for drivers, like how many points are deducted for drunk driving and accident handling procedures. Practicing the question bank multiple times before the exam is very helpful. I was even doing mock questions on my phone while showering before the test.
As a seasoned driver who hits the road every day, I believe the most crucial questions in Subject 1 fall into three categories: traffic rules including traffic light and road marking recognition, which directly affects whether you'll violate regulations while driving; common sense questions about driving safety often test how to avoid accidents, such as whether to use high beams when meeting another vehicle at night; and penalty-related questions must be memorized, like getting 12 points deducted for not installing license plates as required. When preparing for the exam, I recommend focusing on areas where mistakes are easily made in actual driving, such as speed limit rules for different road conditions and the priority of pedestrians at crosswalks. These are life-and-death points in real-world driving and have an exceptionally high probability of appearing on the test.
