What is the speed for shifting gears in Subject 3?
3 Answers
In Subject 3, the corresponding speed for first gear is 10-20 km/h, second gear is 20-30 km/h, third gear is 30-40 km/h, and fourth gear is 40-50 km/h. Below are specific details about Subject 3: Gear and speed mismatch: Subject 3 generally requires driving in third gear, but the speed should not exceed 40 km/h when in third gear, otherwise it will be judged as a "gear and speed mismatch" and result in a 10-point deduction. Retake instructions: For the road driving skills test in Subject 3, there are five opportunities to schedule the exam. After scheduling, you can take the test once and have one retake. If you do not attend the retake or fail the retake, you must schedule the exam again.
I remember when I was learning to drive and taking the third road test, the instructor repeatedly emphasized how crucial gear-speed matching is. Typically, you start in first gear with the speed controlled between 0-15 km/h, smoothly shifting to second gear when accelerating to 15-20 km/h. When the speed reaches 20-25 km/h, shifting to third gear is the most stable to avoid excessively low RPM. If you accelerate to around 30 km/h before shifting to fourth gear, the transition will be even smoother. During the test, mismatched speed and gear can easily cause stalling and point deductions—I was once reminded by the examiner for shifting too quickly, causing the car to jerk. Nowadays, learners keep a close eye on the speedometer while practicing. Using too high a gear at low speed can lug the engine and cause damage, while too low a gear wastes fuel and affects efficiency. I recommend checking the vehicle's performance before each practice session and driving more on simulated routes to get familiar with acceleration, which can significantly improve pass rates and safety confidence. Developing good habits in daily practice is far better than last-minute cramming for the test. This isn’t just a test requirement but a fundamental skill for real-world driving, helping to avoid issues like sudden braking or skidding.
I've been driving for almost ten years, and the gear-speed coordination in Subject 3 is a must-learn for the driving test. The reference values are roughly: start in 1st gear at 0-15 km/h, shift smoothly to 2nd gear when reaching 15-20 km/h; then the optimal time to shift to 3rd gear is at 20-25 km/h; if road conditions permit, shifting to 4th gear around 30 km/h can save fuel. During the test, never go below or exceed the range—for example, driving at 10 km/h in 2nd gear will cause the car to shudder and result in point deductions. I once failed a test because I carelessly shifted gears at the wrong speed—a lesson learned the hard way. Nowadays, I shift gears more effortlessly by feel, but the test demands precise matching for each speed range. My advice for beginners is to practice more laps in the instructor's car to get the rhythm right. Properly combining gears with speed makes driving smoother, reduces the risk of stalling, and is also gentler on the engine.
