What does dragging the brake mean in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Dragging the brake in Subject 3 refers to lightly applying the brake to allow the system to detect that the student has performed a deceleration action when passing through sections where speed reduction is required. During the test, never press the clutch first and then drag the brake, as this will result in coasting in neutral. The following situations in Subject 3 require dragging the brake: 1. When driving straight through an intersection, pay attention to dragging the brake. 2. When passing a school or a bus station, decelerate and drag the brake. 3. When passing a crosswalk, start dragging the brake as soon as you see the blue and white poles. 4. When making a right turn, release the accelerator and drag the brake, then accelerate after the car straightens out. 5. After completing gear shifting and making a left turn, turn on the turn signal, release the accelerator, and drag the brake. Only after the car straightens out can you accelerate.
In my years of instructing students in driving, dragging the brake during Subject 3 means lightly pressing the brake pedal without releasing it during the road test, causing the car to slow down without stopping, which feels like hesitating. This is a terrible habit that leads to immediate point deductions by the examiner because it shows you're afraid to drive at normal speeds, and the fear of losing control actually creates risks. For example, driving like this in traffic increases the chance of rear-end collisions, and the brake pads can overheat and wear out, leading to unnecessary repair costs. I always remind students to break this habit—good driving means anticipating danger and braking briefly, not keeping your foot glued to the brake pedal. Practicing speed control and maintaining safe distances will help you pass the test, save fuel, and reduce vehicle wear. The key is confidence—take a deep breath before driving and simulate real scenarios during practice.
I just passed the driving test (Subject 3), and my instructor repeatedly emphasized the issue of 'riding the brake' - during the road test, keeping your foot constantly pressing the brake pedal, causing the car to inch forward slowly without coming to a complete stop. This makes examiners feel you're driving too hesitantly and operating unsafely. Someone I know actually failed because of this. The reason might be that beginners are nervous about speeding or rear-ending, but ironically end up delaying progress. From a vehicle perspective, it accelerates brake pad wear and wastes fuel unnecessarily. In daily driving, cars behind might get impatient and honk. Developing good habits is simple: keep your foot on the accelerator for natural coasting, and only lightly press the brake when needing to decelerate. Practicing more on slow-speed road sections can help avoid this pitfall.
