
After passing Subject 3, the exam time for Subject 4 falls into three scenarios: taking the exam directly in the afternoon of the same day; no appointment needed within 9 days—within 9 days after passing Subject 3, you can take the Subject 4 exam at the designated location with your ID; third, scheduling after 10 days, where the success of the appointment depends on the current number of examinees, the priority of students, and temporary arrangements at the exam center. Subject 4, also known as the theoretical exam for drivers, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It includes requirements for safe and civilized driving operations, knowledge of safe driving under adverse weather and complex road conditions, handling methods for emergencies such as tire blowouts, and post-accident handling knowledge. Subject 4 Exam Notes: Exam Duration: The exam lasts 30 minutes. Making mistakes totaling 12 points (6 questions) during the exam will terminate the session. Number of Questions: Depending on the type of license being tested, 50 questions are proportionally selected from the corresponding Subject 4 question bank. For car licenses, questions are selected from 800, while for large vehicle licenses, they are selected from 1023, with each question worth 2 points. Question Types: The exam includes single-choice questions (including true/false questions) and multiple-choice questions. The first 45 questions are single-choice, and the last 5 are multiple-choice. The exam also includes animated questions, picture-based questions, scenario recognition questions, and text-based questions. Retake Notes: Failing Subject 4 only requires retaking Subject 4. The driving school will schedule the retake, with no limit on the number of retakes. You can retake until you pass, and no retake fee is required for Subject 4. Subject 4 Exam Tips: Strengthen weak areas and identify the reasons for mistakes. For marked questions, don't just memorize the correct answers. Instead, consult laws, textbooks, or reference materials to understand and internalize the reasons for the mistakes. Categorize and summarize questions. Refer to the question bank analysis for classification and find similar questions: Many questions in the bank are similar and easily confused, so they should be analyzed and summarized. For example, traffic signs for walking, hiking, pedestrian attention, crosswalks, and crosswalk attention are very similar and easily mixed up. Grouping them during study helps avoid errors. Find memorization techniques: Many questions in the bank involve numbers. Summarizing these numbers makes them easier to remember. There are three subjects in the driving test: Subject 1, Subject 2, and Subject 3, with Subject 3 divided into two parts. Subject 4 is the colloquial term for the Subject 3 Safe and Civilized Driving Knowledge Exam and is not a separate subject. 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 refers to the road driving skills and safe and civilized driving knowledge exam. The safe and civilized driving knowledge exam is conducted after Subject 3.

Back when I was getting my driver's license, right after passing Subject 3, I started wondering when to take Subject 4. There's no strict maximum interval requirement, but based on inquiries at the DMV, it's generally advised not to wait too long. Why? Because I've seen people wait over half a year to take Subject 4, only to forget everything and fail—sometimes even having to retake Subject 3 or Subject 1, wasting both time and money. Personally, I waited three weeks, used question bank apps to reinforce my knowledge, and passed smoothly. Don't underestimate this interval—it affects the overall efficiency of getting your license: waiting too long risks policy changes like regulation updates catching you off guard. The sooner you take it, the sooner you get your license, ensuring safer driving. My advice? Start reviewing right after Subject 3 to keep the momentum tight.

As a fresh driver who just got my license, I was eager to know the maximum allowed interval after passing Subject 3 before taking Subject 4. After researching various materials and consulting driving schools, I found there's no nationwide unified upper limit, but local policies (like in my area) require completion within one year, otherwise the results become invalid. The practical issue is the high risk of procrastination: waiting several months or more leads to fading knowledge, increasing exam failure chances; prolonged delays may cause driving school quota shortages or policy changes requiring retakes of other subjects. From personal experience, I waited four weeks to take it, reinforcing safety knowledge through mock tests. Passing it smoothly meant I could start road practice. Don't slack off—review diligently. Passing Subject 4 marks true driving freedom.

Over the years of teaching people to drive, there's no fixed maximum time limit between passing Subject 3 and taking Subject 4, but don't let it drag on. Why? Students who wait too long tend to forget key theoretical knowledge, leading to a significant drop in exam pass rates. Some local DMVs may require all tests to be completed within the year, otherwise retesting is necessary. I recommend students start practicing questions the week after passing Subject 3 and complete the test within one or two months. This isn't just about passing the exam—it ensures tight integration between practical and theoretical learning.


