
Subject Three test precautions are mainly divided into vehicle inspection, turn signals and starting, vehicle acceleration, special areas, etc., as follows. Vehicle Inspection: After getting off from the driver's seat, be sure to close the car door. The buttons that need to be pressed at the rear and front of the car should only be pressed after hearing the broadcast inside the car before continuing. Turn Signals and Starting: During the Subject Three test, starting, changing lanes, and overtaking all require turning on the turn signals. The test regulations stipulate that the corresponding operation can only be performed three seconds after turning on the turn signal. When starting the vehicle, gear 1 must be used, but during the test, gear 1 cannot be used continuously for driving; timely gear shifting is required to adjust the speed. Vehicle Acceleration: During the test, the examiner may request acceleration, but the driver should not suddenly accelerate, as a sudden upshift may cause the vehicle to stall. Wait until the engine speed reaches around 2000 rpm, press the clutch, shift to gear 2, then press the accelerator to upshift, and continue upshifting according to this principle. Special Areas: In special areas, note that voice prompts are no longer provided in many regions, such as school zones, bus stops, and crosswalks. However, candidates must perform corresponding deceleration or yielding operations based on the project signs and road markings. In school zones, brake 10 meters before the project sign, with speed below 30 km/h. At bus stops, brake 10 meters before the project sign, with speed below 30 km/h. At crosswalks, brake within 30 meters before the crosswalk to decelerate.

I just passed the manual transmission driving test (Subject 3) last year and fully understand the key points beginners should focus on. First, walk around the vehicle for inspection before getting in, ensuring doors are closed and tires are normal—failing this step could mean instant failure. When starting the car, always ignite the engine, press the clutch, shift to first gear, release the handbrake, and slowly lift the clutch to avoid stalling. Remember not to release the clutch too abruptly, or the car might jerk forward, leading to point deductions by the examiner. Gear shifting (acceleration/deceleration) must be smooth and timely—when switching between third and fourth gears, keep an eye on the speedometer to avoid exceeding 30 km/h while checking mirrors without omission. For reverse parking, practice fine-tuning the steering wheel to prevent the front wheels from crossing lines. During parallel parking, use turn signals and judge distances carefully to avoid hitting curbs. Hill starts are the most challenging: keep the right foot steady on the brake, slowly lift the clutch with the left foot until semi-engagement (feeling the car vibrate), then release the brake to prevent rolling backward. Stay calm during the test—take deep breaths to avoid nervous mistakes. I found practicing repeatedly on a simulator to familiarize myself with each step highly effective. With attention to detail, passing in one attempt isn’t difficult.

As an instructor with ten years of driving teaching experience, I must say that the details determine the success or failure of the manual transmission driving test (Subject 3). Before starting, adjust the seat and mirrors, fasten the seatbelt, and check that the gear is in neutral—don’t overlook these small steps. For straight-line driving, keep the steering wheel steady, avoid unnecessary movements, focus your gaze far ahead, and maintain a stable speed around 25 km/h without exceeding the limit. When shifting gears, remember to lightly press the accelerator, release it before engaging the clutch to shift gears, and avoid jerky movements or loud noises—examiners dislike such situations. For parking tasks like reverse parking or parallel parking, signal with your turn indicator, check for traffic around you before maneuvering, and ensure the car is neither too far nor too close to the boundary line to avoid deductions for crossing the line. The key to hill starts lies in coordinating the clutch and brake—don’t rush, slowly lift the clutch until you feel the vibration, then release the brake to prevent stalling or rolling back. Throughout the test, pay attention to signal usage, always indicate before turning, frequently check mirrors, and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles—safety is the top priority. During practice, use a timer to simulate exam conditions and improve proficiency for a sure pass.

Safety comes first in the Category 3 driving test, as I always remind my students. Before starting the car, always perform a walk-around inspection to ensure there are no hazards. Press the clutch, shift to first gear, and check the dashboard for any abnormalities. During straight-line driving, hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, stay focused, and avoid distractions—keep the car in the lane without crossing or deviating from the lines. For gear shifting, press the clutch fully, shift gears smoothly to avoid gear noise, and control the speed within limits. When reversing into a parking space, signal first, check the mirrors, and then proceed to avoid sudden rear traffic risks—park the car accurately without tilting. For hill starts, focus on preventing rollback by lifting the clutch to the vibration point and holding steady—don’t rush. If the car rolls back, press the brake first and then adjust without panicking. Follow traffic rules throughout: yield when stopping, observe traffic signals, and constantly monitor road conditions. Keep the seatbelt fastened from start to finish—these details ensure a smooth and safe test pass.


