What is the route for Subject 3?

[DallasRose]

The entire Subject 3 route can be divided into two parts. One part is the "good road," and the other is the "bad road." The good road refers to sections with fewer obstacles (i.e., clear and fewer test points) where you can drive long distances. On this section, you can perform three major tasks: straight-line driving, lane changing and overtaking, and shifting to 4th gear. The bad road refers to sections with scattered test points and shorter distances, where you can perform three deceleration head turns (at bus stops, pedestrian crossings, and school zones). Additional information about Subject 3 is as follows: Introduction: Subject 3 includes the road driving skills test and the safety and civilized driving knowledge test. It is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and is the abbreviated term for the road driving skills and safety and civilized driving knowledge test subjects in the motor vehicle driver's examination. The content of the road driving skills test varies depending on the type of vehicle being licensed. Test content: preparation before getting on the car, simulated lighting test, starting, straight-line driving, gear shifting operations, lane changing, pulling over, passing through intersections straight, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, passing through pedestrian crossings, passing through school zones, passing through bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, nighttime driving, etc.

[JustinLynn]

I was really nervous when taking the third driving test, and what I feared most was forgetting the route. Actually, the test route at the driving school is a specific road around the test center, about 3 kilometers long. Starting from the entrance of the test center, you have to pass through marked areas like school zones, bus stops, and crosswalks. What I remember most is signaling for more than 3 seconds before turning and keeping the steering wheel steady during straight-line driving—no shaking like a sieve. When pulling over, you have to stop within 30 centimeters of the curb; the instructor said exceeding that would mean an automatic fail. I highly recommend scouting the route before the test—I camped outside the test center for two days, recording every gear shift and head turn at intersections on my phone to memorize them. The layout varies so much by region; in Qingdao, there’s even a brutal route with five consecutive traffic lights.

[SanKing]

The test route for Subject 3 includes urban, suburban, and mixed road sections, with a total length ranging from 2 to 5 kilometers. The mandatory test items are usually concentrated at starting, gear shifting, intersections, pedestrian crossings, and school zones. There are three specific driving methods: straight sections test acceleration ability, S-curves or U-turn areas assess steering control, and finally, parking by the roadside evaluates spatial awareness. Our driving school test site has three alternative routes, randomly selected by the safety officer before the test. It is said that the Xili test site in Shenzhen is the most challenging, requiring continuous passage through three T-intersections without traffic lights. It is recommended to check the real scene map of the local test site in advance using the Driving Test Guide APP and remember to lightly brake 30 meters before the zebra crossing.

[MacZoey]

The driving test route design is quite strategic, with the core focus on assessing real-road coping abilities. Within the first 200 meters of starting, the straight-line driving test is mandatory, during which the steering wheel deviation must not exceed 30 degrees. Then comes the turning zone to test the use of turn signals and the habit of checking rearview mirrors. The most critical part is passing the school zone, which requires maintaining a speed below 30 km/h and performing head movements to both sides. The roadside parking spot is usually set near a tree shade or fire hydrant as a reference point. The routes near the test center are adjusted quarterly. Last year, our location changed the right turn uphill to a left turn downhill, causing the pass rate to drop by 20%. If unsure, you can spend 200 yuan to rent a test car for a full simulation run.

[DelMalachi]

There is no nationwide standardized route for Subject 3 (Road Test) in China - it entirely depends on the local DMV's planning. Two common patterns exist: circular routes looping around the test center, or out-and-back routes requiring drivers to reach designated points before returning. Examinees only learn their assigned route on test day. During my test, all three routes shared the first half before diverging at a gas station in the latter section. Special attention: you must brake within 30 meters before pedestrian crossings, or face immediate 100-point deduction. Some test centers undergo road construction - last year Hangzhou candidates encountered last-minute detours with safety officers holding directional signs. Recommended: follow local traffic police Douyin accounts which frequently livestream key exam route explanations.

[LondonLynn]

As a seasoned test-taker who has taken the exam three times, I remind you that memorizing the route depends on key landmarks. The blue sign at the test center is the starting point, and you need to perform gear shifting when passing the second utility pole. The red paint marks on the roadside greenery at intersections are observation points—make sure to turn your head noticeably both ways. The yellow numbers painted 10 meters before bus stops mark the system detection zone. The main differences between the three test routes at our center are: Route 1 requires a U-turn at the back gate of the driving school, Route 2 goes through an underpass, and Route 3 detours around a gas station. During practice, have your instructor drive all routes, paying special attention to the pull-over areas—some uneven surfaces can easily stall the engine. It’s best to record the dashboard camera footage for later review.