What is Tested in Subject One?
4 Answers
According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the content of Subject One includes: regulations on driver's licenses and motor vehicle management; road traffic conditions and regulations; traffic safety violations and penalties; regulations on road traffic accident handling; basic knowledge of motor vehicles; local regulations; knowledge of braking systems and safety devices for large and medium-sized passenger and cargo vehicles; specialized knowledge for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trams, and trolleybuses. As per the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," after passing Subject One, the validity period of the learning permit is three years, but the expiration date must not exceed the upper age limit for application. Applicants must complete Subject Two and Subject Three within the validity period. If the exams are not completed within the validity period, the passed subjects will be invalidated. Subject One, also known as the theoretical exam or driver's theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. The exam covers theoretical driving basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The test is computer-based with a time limit of 45 minutes. It consists of 100 single-choice and true/false questions, each worth one point. If 11 questions are answered incorrectly, the system will automatically submit the exam and end the test. Notes for Subject One Exam: Candidates should dress appropriately (no slippers), avoid bringing electronic devices or bags into the exam hall, carry their ID cards, and queue to enter the waiting area. Observe the instructions and procedures on the screen and store personal items in lockers before entering the exam hall. Upon entry, candidates will be assigned seats at the identity verification counter. Once seated, the exam begins. Ensure the camera is aligned correctly and follow exam discipline. If failed, a retake is available on the same day; failing again requires re-registration. After the exam, queue to collect the score report and sign it—unsigned reports are invalid. There is no limit to the number of times Subject One can be scheduled. Each subject allows one retake if failed. If the retake is not attended or is failed, the exam process ends, and the applicant must reschedule. In contrast, Subject Two and Subject Three allow only five attempts. If the Subject Three safety and civilized driving knowledge test is failed, the passed road driving skills test results remain valid. The driving test consists of three subjects: Subject One, Subject Two, and Subject Three. Subject One refers to the road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test; Subject Two is the field driving skills test; Subject Three includes two parts: road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge. The safety and civilized driving knowledge test is conducted after Subject Three, so it is commonly referred to as Subject Four. However, the official term (as per the Ministry of Public Security’s Order No. 123) does not include "Subject Four."
Subject 1 is the theoretical test for the driver's license exam, mainly covering traffic laws and various road rules. There are over 1,000 questions in the question bank, with 100 randomly selected for the test, and a score of 90 is required to pass. The content is comprehensive, including how to interpret traffic signals, the meanings of various road signs, how to handle accidents, speed limit requirements for different roads, and common knowledge of civilized driving. Many people find questions about penalty points and fines particularly easy to get wrong, especially trap questions like drunk driving or speeding, which deduct 12 points—these require special attention. I recommend downloading a driver's license exam app on your phone and practicing daily. Don’t just memorize; focus on understanding high-frequency test points like the right-of-way rules for overpasses and traffic police hand signals. Remember to bring your ID card on exam day, skip difficult questions first to save time, and review them at the end.
The driving theory test (Subject 1) is about mastering the basic rules of driving. The questions are generally divided into three main categories: Laws and regulations take up the largest portion, covering topics like who has the right of way when turning and how to drive on highways. The traffic signals section tests your ability to recognize road signs—can you cross a solid yellow line? What should you pay attention to when turning right at a red light? Lastly, there's common sense about safe driving, such as how to handle a tire blowout or which lights to use in foggy conditions. The test is conducted on a computer with multiple-choice and true/false questions. I've seen many people trip up on rules about giving way to ambulances or get confused by road construction signs. My advice is to go through the question bank three times, compile a notebook of mistakes for review, and pay special attention to speed limit questions that are easy to mix up—urban roads and rural roads have different standards.
The subject one test covers traffic regulations theory, with two core components: safety knowledge and legal provisions. You must distinguish the eight traffic police hand signals, recognize no-parking signs, and understand how to use lights in different weather conditions. The most annoying questions are about point deductions, such as 6 points for occupying the emergency lane or 9 points for obscuring the license plate—these numbers must be memorized. I recommend using the driving test app to practice mock exams until you score above 90 five times before taking the actual test. The real exam is slightly harder than the app, often embedding tricky words like 'may' and 'shall' in the questions—choosing wrong means losing points.
