What gear should be used in Subject 3 driving test?

[McAugust]

Subject 3 involves the use of gears from 1st to 5th. Below are relevant details about the Subject 3 examination: Examination requirements: The specific components of Subject 3 test are road driving skills and safety & civilized driving knowledge, each with a full score of 100 points. A minimum score of 90 points in each section is required to pass. Training hour requirements: Subject 3 consists of 40 training hours in total, including 16 hours of theory, 4 hours of simulated driving, and 20 hours of practical operation. According to the teaching syllabus, driving training follows a clock-in timing system with cumulative hours. Each student can register a maximum of 4 training hours per day.

[McRachel]

During the driving test (Subject 3), gear selection is not fixed, but generally you need to drive in third or fourth gear. When I took the test, my instructor asked me to shift to fourth gear and maintain it for a while, keeping the speed between 30 to 40 km/h. This mainly tests your gear-shifting smoothness and speed matching—avoid high gear at low speed or low gear at high speed, otherwise you may lose points or even cause a malfunction. Remember, safety comes first. Adjust gears flexibly in complex road conditions to prevent speeding or stalling. During practice, simulate various scenarios frequently, such as using second gear for hill starts or turns, and only shifting to higher gears on straight roads. Most examiners require at least third gear to demonstrate competence during the test, so staying calm is crucial. After all, driving skills are directly related to road safety—over-reliance on low gears indicates immature technique, so practice thoroughly before taking the test.

[LukasFitz]

Regarding the gear usage in Subject 3, here are some tips: During the test, it's usually sufficient to drive in third gear without pushing to fifth. The key is smooth transitions, maintaining a speed around 35 km/h. Examiners mainly observe your timing for gear shifts and coordination between clutch and throttle. It's recommended to start in second gear, accelerate straight to third, maintain it, then slow down to second when approaching turns. A common mistake is failing to decelerate timely in fourth gear, leading to gear dragging or stalling. Practice multiple mock tests to make gear shifts natural for a smoother exam experience. Remember, the test isn't about racing—stability is paramount.

[MacCassidy]

When I was learning to drive and taking the third subject test, gear shifting was quite a headache. The instructor said driving in third gear would be enough to pass, but I was initially afraid to drive too fast. I kept the speed around 30 kilometers per hour, and shifting to third gear needed to be smooth. During practice, I found that higher gears like fourth gear were harder to control, especially when going uphill, as the car lacked power. The test emphasizes safe operation, with higher gears suitable for long straight roads to reduce the risk of stalling. Usually, pay more attention to matching speed and gear, otherwise, the examiner will deduct points.