What does it mean to have two attempts in the Subject 1 exam?
3 Answers
The "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" clearly stipulate that on the day of the Subject 1 make-up exam, candidates can take the test twice. If they fail the first attempt, they can take a second free make-up exam. If they still fail the second attempt, the Subject 1 exam is terminated, and they can only reschedule the exam after ten days. Subject 1, also known as the Subject 1 theory test or driver theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driving license assessment. The exam content includes driving theory basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The exam is conducted on a computer with a time limit of 45 minutes. A passing score for the Subject 1 driving license exam is 90 points. The test consists of 100 questions, divided into single-choice and true/false questions, with each question worth 1 point, totaling 100 points. If a candidate answers 11 questions incorrectly during the exam, the system will automatically submit the test and end the exam. Subject 1 exam content: Driving license and motor vehicle management regulations; Road traffic conditions and regulations; Road traffic safety violations and penalties; Road traffic accident handling regulations; Basic knowledge of motor vehicles; Local regulations; Knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and freight vehicles; Specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. Subject 1 exam precautions: During the exam, candidates should pay attention to their attire—no slippers are allowed, and electronic devices and bags are prohibited in the exam room. Bring your ID card and queue to enter the waiting hall. Observe the precautions and procedures on the large screen, and store personal belongings in a locker before entering the exam room. In the exam room, the identity verification area will assign a seat. After finding your seat, begin the exam. Ensure the camera is aligned with you and follow exam discipline. If you fail the first attempt, there is a make-up exam on the same day. If you fail again, you must pay to reschedule. After the exam, queue to collect your score report and sign it. Failure to sign will render the result invalid. There is no limit to the number of times you can reschedule the Subject 1 exam. Each subject exam allows one make-up attempt if the initial attempt is failed. If you do not take the make-up exam or fail it, the exam is terminated, and the applicant must reschedule. For Subject 2 and Subject 3, there are only five exam attempts. Subject 2 and Subject 3 exams can be rescheduled after ten days. If the Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test is failed, the passed road driving skills test results remain valid. There are three subjects in the driving test: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3. Subject 1 refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge exam; Subject 2 refers to the field driving skills exam; Subject 3 is divided into two parts: road driving skills and safe driving knowledge. The safe driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject 3, so it is commonly referred to as Subject 4. However, the official term (as per the Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123) does not include Subject 4.
When I first got my driver's license last year, I personally experienced what it means to have two attempts for the written test. That is, when you go to the exam center, if you don't score above 90 on your first try, the proctor will let you take a second attempt immediately without needing to reschedule. This design is quite considerate because the test is all about traffic rules, and many people get nervous and click the wrong options—the two chances give you breathing room to adjust your mindset. For example, I almost passed on my first try, but after calming down, I succeeded on the second attempt. The exam process is simple: take the test once, wait for the results, and if you're just a few points short, you can retake it right away. But don’t rely on this—practice more on question apps beforehand to improve your pass rate, or you’ll just waste time relearning.
The two chances in the subject one exam really put me at ease, as a new test taker worried about failing. Specifically, on the same exam day, if you don't reach the passing score of 90 on your first attempt, the proctor allows you to take it again immediately. This reduces anxiety since theoretical knowledge like stopping distance at red lights can be easily forgotten, and the two chances act like insurance, encouraging you to perform calmly. I suggest doing several mock exams in advance to familiarize yourself with the question types and time pressure, testing the difficulty on the first try and focusing on correcting mistakes on the second. This rule stems from the fairness of exam design, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity, not just relying on luck. Thoroughly reviewing road safety knowledge is key.
