
When turning at an intersection, use the low beam. When about to meet another vehicle, use the low beam. When driving closely behind another vehicle at night in the same direction, use the low beam. Here are the specific details: High beam: Use the high beam correctly when driving on roads with low visibility. On poorly lit or unlit road sections, the high beam can be used. Alternating between high and low beams: When passing sharp curves, slopes, arch bridges, or pedestrian crossings at night, alternate between high and low beams at least twice. When passing through intersections without traffic signals at night, alternate between high and low beams at least twice. When overtaking a vehicle ahead at night, alternate between high and low beams at least twice. Parking lights and hazard warning lights: When temporarily parking by the roadside, use the parking lights + hazard warning lights. If the vehicle breaks down and obstructs traffic while being difficult to move, use the parking lights + hazard warning lights.

When I first started learning to drive, the light mnemonic chart for Subject 3 was a lifesaver. The basic mnemonic is: turn on the low beam first after getting in the car to ensure the correct position; when overtaking or changing lanes at night, turn on the left turn signal and switch between high and low beams twice to simulate flashing; when encountering oncoming traffic or meeting another vehicle, you must use the low beam and avoid dazzling with the high beam; before sharp turns or passing through intersections, flash the high and low beams once in advance. After memorizing the mnemonic, practicing simulated test scenarios a few times will help you get used to it. I used to practice hand gestures in front of the mirror at home every day, afraid of being flustered during the test, but I passed in the end. Now, driving feels much simpler and safer when it comes to light operations. The core of the mnemonic is to develop muscle memory. During the test, just follow the examiner's instructions and avoid nervous mistakes.

As a coach who frequently instructs trainees, I emphasize that the mnemonic for the lighting operations in Subject 3 must be memorized: After starting the car, immediately turn on the low beam as the default mode; when overtaking or changing lanes, quickly activate the left turn signal while switching between high and low beams twice to simulate flashing; when encountering oncoming vehicles, immediately switch back to low beam to avoid glare; for sharp turns, flash the high and low beams once in advance. The purpose of the mnemonic is to ensure safe responses to various situations during nighttime driving and avoid failing due to incorrect operations. The most common mistakes trainees make are slow switching or forgetting to return to low beam. I recommend practicing more with mobile apps for simulation and maintaining a calm mindset during the test to pass smoothly. Safety comes first—only with proper lighting can driving on the road be reassuring.

I got my driver's license decades ago, but the lighting mnemonic back then was quite simple: keep low beams on after turning on the headlights, flash high beams when changing lanes, switch to low beams during oncoming traffic, and flash once when turning. The mnemonic chart was just to help remember the sequence of test steps, so you wouldn't panic when the examiner gave instructions. Today's Subject Three might be more complex, my son said they've added tests like fog lights. The key point of the mnemonic is to develop habitual operations—proper use of lights in actual driving can reduce accidents. Master this, and once you pass the test, getting the license will be a breeze.

While accompanying my daughter in preparing for the Driving Test Part 3, we recited the lighting mnemonic daily: Start by turning on the low beam in basic mode when getting in the car; flash the left turn signal and toggle between high and low beams twice when overtaking; always switch back to low beam during oncoming traffic, avoiding high beams; flash once to switch before sharp turns. The mnemonic is simple and practical—I simulated giving commands while she practiced, restarting from the beginning if she made a mistake. Nervousness during the test can lead to forgotten steps, so I recommend reviewing video tutorials in advance to ensure standardized lighting operations for a safe pass. I also added some family tips, like adjusting the headlight angle not too high to protect others' vision.


