What is the difference between passing the Subject 2 test in one attempt versus two attempts?
2 Answers
The main difference between passing the Subject 2 test in one attempt versus two attempts is the time taken—passing in one attempt is slightly quicker than passing in two attempts. Beyond this, there are no other differences. According to the Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 123, within the validity period of the driving skill test permit, the number of test attempts for Subject 2 and Subject 3 cannot exceed five. If the fifth attempt is still unsuccessful, the results of any previously passed subjects will be invalidated. Below is an introduction to the content of the driving test subjects: 1. Subject 1: Road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge test (Subject 1) is a written test conducted on a computer, with a perfect score of 100. A score of 90 or above (including 90) is considered passing. 2. Subject 2: Field driving skill test (Subject 2) is conducted in a real vehicle within a designated area. Results are only categorized as pass or fail. The test includes five mandatory tasks performed in sequence: reversing into a garage, parallel parking, S-curve driving, 90-degree turns, and starting and stopping on a slope. The perfect score is 100, with a passing score of 80 or above (including 80). 3. Subject 3: Road driving skill test (Subject 3) is conducted on a road or simulated area in a real vehicle. The perfect score is 100, with passing scores of 90 or above for large buses, 80 or above for large trucks, and 70 or above for other vehicle types. 4. Subject 4: Safety and civilized driving-related knowledge test (Subject 4) is a written test with a perfect score of 100. A score of 90 or above (including 90) is considered passing.
I've always thought the biggest difference between passing the second driving test in one attempt versus two lies in mentality. Those who pass on the first try feel extremely relaxed afterward, bursting with confidence, and don't have to repeatedly deal with the test site and instructor's time. However, those who pass on the second attempt face immense pressure after failing the first time, forcing themselves to suppress nervousness and go through it again, often with more hesitant maneuvers. In terms of skills, both might be at a similar level, but the first failure exposes issues, making them focus more on details like parking reference points during the retake. Overall, passing in two attempts clearly incurs extra costs like retake fees and fuel expenses, and might even delay scheduling the next test. However, in actual driving, such experiences can make one more cautious, which isn’t bad for safety. The key is that failing once doesn’t mean incompetence—persistent practice and ultimately passing are what truly matter.
