What time does the exam at the DMV start?
4 Answers
The exam at the DMV generally starts at 9:00 AM in the morning, and at 1:00 PM or 1:30 PM in the afternoon. Introduction to Subject 1: Subject 1, also known as the theoretical exam or driver's theory test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. According to the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses,' the exam content includes theoretical driving basics, road safety laws and regulations, local regulations, and related knowledge. The exam format is computer-based, consisting of 100 questions, with a passing score of 90 or above. Subject 1 Exam Process: After registration, wait for notification to sign the agreement. Those who have not had their fingerprints collected must go to the main registration office at the old campus for fingerprint collection. Students who have signed the agreement with the transportation committee must attend theoretical training at the training department; otherwise, their files will not pass the review. Before the official exam, candidates must participate in a mock exam, and rankings are determined based on mock exam scores. Candidates are selected from the highest scores downward. Those who fail the mock exam or are not ranked must wait for the next batch to retake the mock exam. The mock exam schedule will not be notified; students must call to schedule the mock exam. Those who pass the mock exam must attend the official theoretical exam. If a candidate who has received the exam admission ticket does not attend the official exam, it will be counted as one failure, with a suspension of 3-6 months. If a candidate fails the official exam twice, they must pay a 60 yuan retake fee for the third attempt (payment time: exam day; payment location: second floor of the DMV. Payment is organized by the school). One payment allows for two attempts; those who fail on the exam day can retake once more. If a candidate fails the official exam, they must call to schedule a mock exam again.
When it comes to the start time of the DMV exam, as someone who deals with cars all year round, I’d like to share some experience: the exam usually starts officially at 8 or 9 a.m., depending on the region and type. For example, the theory test tends to be earlier, with crowds filling up by 8 a.m., while the road test might start at 9. I highly recommend arriving half an hour early—don’t cut it close, as queues can be very long during peak hours, and you might end up waiting an hour or so. It’s best to book a time slot on the official website or the DMV’s WeChat platform, as schedules vary by city. Big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou usually start at 8 a.m., while smaller towns might begin as late as 9. Bring your ID and appointment slip to avoid last-minute hassles. On exam day, don’t go on an empty stomach—have some breakfast to stay sharp, or nerves might affect your performance. In short, play it safe by checking local info in advance—passing in one go saves a lot of hassle.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and the memory is still fresh: the test times mostly start at 8 or 9 in the morning, but they're not fixed. That time I took the theory test for Subject 2, I booked it for 9 am in the app in advance, but ended up queuing at 7 am. There were so many people, all squeezed at the entrance under the sun. The examiner called the roll at 8:30 am, and the test officially started at 9 am, with the whole process dragging on until noon. A friend took the road test for Subject 3 in the suburbs and said it started at 8 am, so he got up at 6 am to make it. My advice is to leave early, arrive by 7 am to secure a spot, bring water and a small stool, and instead of playing with your phone while waiting, review the questions. The pace varies a lot depending on the location, so checking the local DMV announcements is a must to avoid unnecessary trips.
As a seasoned driver, I believe the exam timing requires careful consideration: typically starting at 8 or 9 AM on weekdays, but Mondays are packed during rush hour. I recommend avoiding peak days, checking the DMV website or calling for details in advance—different test types have varying schedules (theory tests may start at 8 AM, while road tests could be delayed until 9:30). Arrive early to prepare; don’t cut it close, as hour-long queues during peak times are common. Remember to bring all required documents (ID is essential), take deep breaths to relax before the test, and avoid greasy food that might affect performance. For retests, scheduling is more flexible—opting for quieter slots boosts efficiency. In short, thorough preparation ensures a smoother one-time pass.
