What are the simulated lighting operations in Subject 3?
4 Answers
In the driving license Subject 3 examination, the simulated lighting test is an important component. For the simulated lighting test, specified operations must be completed within 5 seconds after the voice announcement. Driving at night without streetlights or under poor lighting conditions, operation: Turn on the headlights, position lights, and rear position lights. Please switch the headlights to high beam, operation: Switch to high beam or keep the headlights in high beam mode. Following another vehicle closely at night in the same direction, operation: Switch from high beam to low beam. Passing sharp curves, slopes, arch bridges, pedestrian crossings, or intersections without traffic signals at night, operation: Alternate between high and low beams to signal. Meeting another motor vehicle, operation: Switch from high beam to low beam. Driving in foggy conditions, operation: Turn on the fog lights and hazard warning flashers. Experiencing a breakdown or traffic accident at night that obstructs traffic and is difficult to move, operation: Turn on the hazard warning flashers along with the position lights and rear position lights. Overtaking the vehicle ahead at night, operation: Alternate between left turn signal and high-low beam.
I just passed the Subject 3 test not long ago, and the simulated lighting section was a key focus. The exam mainly tests seven types of lighting operations: using high beams at night without streetlights, switching to low beams when following or meeting another vehicle, flashing between high and low beams twice when passing sharp curves, slopes, or crosswalks. For temporary parking, turn on the position lights plus hazard lights, and in foggy weather, use fog lights along with hazard lights. The exam equipment will announce various road conditions, requiring quick reactions and standard operations. During practice, pay special attention to the initial position of the low beams—many students twist the wrong way when nervous. It's recommended to practice dozens of times on the driving school simulator to build muscle memory, so your hands react faster than your brain during the exam, preventing mistakes.
As someone who has taken the driver's license test, I remember that the simulated lighting test assesses practical application skills. There are five core operations: high beams are used for poorly lit road sections, low beams are used when following or meeting other vehicles, alternating between high and low beams is required at pedestrian crossings or intersections without traffic lights, turning on parking lights plus hazard lights for temporary parking, and using front fog lights and hazard lights in foggy conditions. The key is to listen carefully to the voice commands, such as 'passing under an arch bridge,' which requires quickly flashing the lights twice. On the test day, it's best to check the light switches in advance, as some candidates fail immediately because the switches weren't reset after the last practice session. In fact, lighting operations carry significant weight in the scoring, and mistakes can lead to an immediate end to the test, so they must be taken seriously.
The lighting simulation in Subject 3 tests safe driving awareness. It mainly includes nighttime scenario switching: use high beams when lighting is poor, switch to low beams when following or meeting another vehicle, and alternate between high and low beams when passing through a crosswalk. Additionally, turn on fog lights with hazard lights in foggy conditions, and use parking lights with hazard lights for temporary stops. During practice, many people confuse the positions of low and high beams—remember to push the lever forward for high beams and pull it back to flash the lights. It's recommended to simulate the operation process at home with your eyes closed. During the test, there's a five-second response time after each instruction, so don't rush to answer. Before the test, wipe the buttons near the steering wheel with a wet wipe, as sweaty hands can easily slip.
