What is the difference between Subject 1 and Subject 4?

[MaryRose]

Subject 1 and Subject 4 have different exam contents, difficulty levels, and stress factors. The Subject 4 exam includes multiple-choice questions where selecting too many or too few options will result in point deductions. The number of questions also differs between the two exams: Subject 1 has 100 questions, while Subject 4 only has 50. Additionally, the focus areas of the exams are distinct. Subject 1 primarily emphasizes basic traffic regulations and road signs, whereas Subject 4 focuses more on road traffic safety knowledge. Subject 1 exam content: Basic knowledge of motor vehicles; laws, regulations, and road traffic signals; fundamentals of safe and civilized driving; basic knowledge related to motor vehicle driving operations. Passing score for Subject 1: The total time for the Subject 1 exam is 45 minutes. The exam consists of 100 questions, including true/false and single-choice questions, with a full score of 100 points and a passing score of 90. The exam papers are randomly selected and combined by the computer driver examination system according to the proportion specified in the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Work Regulations."

[MacTravis]

When taking the driver's license test, both Theory Test 1 and Theory Test 4 are written exams, but they focus on different aspects. Theory Test 1 mainly covers basic theories, such as traffic rules, signs, and penalty points. It consists entirely of multiple-choice questions and requires rote memorization. I found this stage quite tedious, but it was necessary to learn because it serves as the entry ticket—only after passing can you proceed to practical driving training. In contrast, Theory Test 4 is more practical. It tests safe and civilized driving knowledge after the road test, with questions often simulating real-life scenarios, such as analyzing accident causes or handling emergency situations. Overall, Theory Test 1 is like laying the foundation, while Theory Test 4 evaluates your safety awareness on the road. I remember when I was preparing for Theory Test 4, watching more real-case videos made it much easier, and thinking quickly during the exam helped avoid failing.

[Gage]

From the perspective of driving tests, Subject 1 focuses on regulations and theoretical knowledge, requiring candidates to pass a written exam before proceeding to practical training. Subject 4, on the other hand, serves as the final hurdle, assessing safe driving habits and decision-making abilities, with emphasis on real-world judgment such as emergency handling and yielding to pedestrians. Many trainees I've interacted with report that Subject 1 involves a large volume of questions but follows predictable patterns, making repeated practice sufficient; whereas Subject 4 requires experience-based analysis and can easily trip up those who aren't careful. Both tests are conducted in a similar computer-based format, but their content differs—one foundational, the other applied. Chronologically, Subject 1 comes before Subject 4. It's advisable to consistently review these knowledge points even after passing the tests to develop safe driving instincts and reduce road accidents.

[LeLyla]

When I was learning to drive, the first test purely assessed book knowledge, such as hard rules like stopping at red lights and going at green lights. The fourth test, however, tested practical thinking, like judging whether to cut in during highway traffic jams or how to yield to pedestrians. Simply put, the first test memorized regulations, while the fourth test applied wisdom—the former being the threshold and the latter the refinement. The exam formats were similar, but the fourth test had more flexible questions. It is recommended to practice more mock tests to develop quick reflexes.

[LaDallas]

The biggest difference between Subject 1 and Subject 4 lies in their focus: Subject 1 teaches you to recognize rules, while Subject 4 teaches you to apply them flexibly. Subject 1 content leans toward static memorization with a fixed question bank; Subject 4 involves dynamic analysis of risk scenarios, emphasizing accident prevention. During the exam, a high error rate in Subject 1 does not affect subsequent steps, but failing Subject 4 means you won’t get your license. From my exam preparation experience, Subject 4 questions are more aligned with real driving, and watching video tutorials during preparation can be very helpful.

[McAnastasia]

Reflecting on the driving test process, Subject 1 covers the basics of traffic laws and is all about knowledge memorization; Subject 4 focuses on developing safety awareness and tests emergency strategies. The differences are evident: one is entry-level rote learning, while the other is advanced judgment. In terms of preparation, Subject 1 relies on practicing a large number of questions, while Subject 4 depends on scenario-based exercises. I believe combining both can enhance overall safety levels. After passing the tests, don’t slack off on daily driving practice to ensure knowledge is internalized into habits.