
When in second or third gear, the vehicle speed (RPM) should not be lower than 800, otherwise the engine may stall. The RPM should not exceed 1800. Below is relevant information about Subject 3 of the driving test: 1. Introduction: Subject 3 includes the road driving skills test and the safety and civilized driving knowledge test. It is part of the motor vehicle driver's license and is the abbreviation for the road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge test in the motor vehicle driver's examination. The content of the road driving skills test varies depending on the type of vehicle being licensed. 2. Specific test content for Subject 3: The road driving skills test generally includes: preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting, driving in a straight line, shifting gears, 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 night driving. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test generally includes: requirements for safe and civilized driving operations, knowledge of safe driving under adverse weather and complex road conditions, methods for handling emergencies such as tire blowouts, and knowledge of post-accident handling procedures.

During my driving test practice for Subject 3, the instructor repeatedly emphasized keeping the speed in second gear between 15 to 30 km/h for optimal stability. If the speed drops below 15 km/h, the car tends to shake or even stall—last time I almost stalled during a turn. Exceeding 30 km/h makes the engine roar loudly, and the safety officer will immediately hit the brakes. Especially when passing intersections or school zones, it's best to maintain around 20 km/h. Once the speedometer needle just passes 15 km/h, you should prepare to shift gears. During the test, keep a close eye on the dashboard—one of my fellow trainees failed because their speed hit 33 km/h on a downhill slope.

When I was learning to drive, the instructor always yelled 'Don't exceed 30 in second gear!' The car shakes like a sieve when driving below 15 km/h. Last month, I saw someone stall because they were driving too slowly in a straight line. The 30 km/h limit is a hard rule – once I accidentally hit 32, and the safety officer in the passenger seat had his finger ready on the brake. It's safest to maintain between 18-25 km/h. Going too fast can lead to panic and mistakes, while driving too slow will make you nervous from honking cars behind you.

Those who have studied engine know that the second gear ratio is most suitable for speeds between 15-30 km/h. Below 15 km/h, insufficient engine torque can cause knocking, while exceeding 30 km/h leads to unnecessarily high RPMs and wasted fuel. Having adjusted data for hundreds of test vehicles, I found most cars run smoothest at 25 km/h. Remember not to rely solely on brakes for speed control on downhill sections—shift to first gear when needed. Poor speed matching will cause jerky movements, which directly results in point deductions during tests.

When teaching my wife to drive, I told her to remember 'second gear is like the medium speed gear on a bicycle'. When the speed on the dial is below 15 km/h, it feels like you're about to fall over from pedaling too hard, and over 30 km/h is like going downhill without daring to brake. Actual tests showed the exam car's RPM was around 800 at 15 km/h, exceeding 2000 RPM when over 30 km/h. For turns, 18-22 km/h is ideal, while 20-28 km/h is safest for straight driving. Focus on the white numbers on the outer ring of the speedometer; the black numbers are in miles and can be easily misread.

After ten years of instructing learners, I've found that controlling speed in second gear is the ultimate test of driving feel. The optimal range is indeed 15-30 km/h, but the key lies in listening to the engine sound and sensing vibrations. When the sound becomes muffled or the car body resonates, it's time to slow down. A sharp, tearing-fabric-like sound indicates overspeed. Experienced drivers can judge by physical sensation alone, while beginners can use mobile navigation to monitor real-time speed as practice aid. Remember this speed range isn't just for tests - it's crucial for clutch protection.


