What are the speed requirements for gear shifting in Subject 3?
3 Answers
In the Subject 3 driving test, the gear and speed requirements are as follows: first gear for 0~20 km/h, shift to second gear at 15~20 km/h, shift to third gear at 25~30 km/h, shift to fourth gear at 35~40 km/h, and shift to fifth gear at 45~50 km/h. Below are some related details: 1. Notes: When shifting gears, if the clutch is not fully depressed, it may be difficult to engage the gear or cause abnormal clicking sounds. If the gear is engaged before the clutch is fully depressed or after releasing the clutch, the gear lever will feel heavy regardless of the gear, and forcing it may damage the gears, produce loud noises, or even cause the engine to stall. 2. Dangerous behaviors: During the test, candidates must not look down at the gear lever, as this will be penalized if caught on camera. In real driving, looking down is highly dangerous and can lead to accidents at any moment. Therefore, it is essential to develop the habit of shifting gears without looking down during driving lessons.
From my 20 years of driving experience, the shifting speeds for Subject 3 (Road Test) are as follows: start in first gear, which is most suitable for speeds between 0 to 20 km/h; accelerate to around 20 km/h and shift to second gear, with a speed range of 15 to 30 km/h; then increase to above 30 km/h and shift to third gear, typically between 30 to 40 km/h; and shift to fourth or fifth gear when the speed exceeds 40 km/h. During the test, the examiner pays the most attention to speed matching—mismatched speeds will result in point deductions and can easily cause the engine to stall. I made this mistake during my own test, shifting to a higher gear at low speed, which caused the car to shake violently. Developing good shifting habits in daily driving can protect the engine, and practicing more to improve dashboard observation skills helps a lot—don’t just focus on the road.
I've taught many students for Subject 3 (road test), and the speed requirements for gear shifting are quite straightforward: start in first gear at 10-20 km/h, don't exceed before shifting to second; shift to third gear when reaching 20-30 km/h in second; then upshift to higher gears at 30-40 km/h in third. Common mistakes during tests include using low gears at high speeds or forcing high gears at low speeds, which directly deducts 5 points. I recommend practicing speed perception first after getting in the car—learn to listen to the engine sound or glance at the speedometer. Too many mistakes can damage the car and compromise safety. Students should ideally practice gear shifting for two hours daily to achieve smooth transitions naturally.
