What to Do When Asked to Start in Subject 3 but There's a Car in Front?
4 Answers
Subject 3 asks to start but there is a car in front of the coping methods are as follows: 1. Listen to the examiner's command: If there is a vehicle in front after the voice command is issued, see what command the examiner gives. Just follow it. 2. Stop and wait: If there is a car in front, you can choose to stop outside the test section and wait for it to go far. When stopping, pay attention to shifting out of gear and pulling up the handbrake. When starting, you don't need to press the start button, but you must start in first gear. If you see a car in front in advance, you can press the clutch to slow down. 3. Quickly turn on the turn signal and drive: If you need to perform an action and a car suddenly appears, you should turn on the turn signal in the fast lane and pass on the right side. If you are in the motor vehicle lane, pass on the left side, remember to turn on the turn signal. Generally, the coach will notify the test center in such unexpected situations and adjust the test sequence.
Back when I was learning to drive and taking the Road Test (Subject 3), I encountered a situation where the examiner instructed me to start, but a large truck was blocking the way ahead, not moving at all. I immediately hit the brakes and first observed the surroundings to ensure there were no pedestrians or too many vehicles behind me. If traffic was light, I considered honking gently to see if the truck would respond, but during the test, you have to be cautious not to disturb others too much. Then, I checked the rearview mirror and blind spots to confirm it was safe and see if I could change lanes—but lane changes require signaling first, and without the examiner's instruction, you shouldn’t move recklessly. Once the truck ahead moved, I gently pressed the accelerator to start smoothly, ensuring the examiner could see I followed the rules and prioritized safety. Rushing to start and risking a collision would’ve definitely failed me on the test and been dangerous; waiting a few extra minutes was no big deal—patience scores higher points. Anyway, during practice, my instructor always emphasized: never start recklessly, observing road conditions thoroughly is far more important than passing the test.
Having taken the driving test for over a decade, I've seen plenty of starting issues. If the examiner asks you to start but the car in front is blocking you, you should immediately stop without moving, check whether the front car has stalled or is reversing, and give a gentle honk if necessary as a reminder—but don't blast the horn and scare people. Check the left and right rearview mirrors to see if any cars are approaching quickly from behind, ensuring you have enough space. If the adjacent lane is clear and the test rules allow it, signal with your turn indicator and wait for the examiner's nod before carefully changing lanes; if not, wait patiently and maintain a safe distance. The key is to practice anticipation skills—for example, if the test route is often congested, scanning the road ahead can help avoid awkward situations. Remember, a safe start isn’t about rushing; it’s about demonstrating control—starting too fast can actually cost you points, so wait for the car in front to move before slowly setting off. The same applies to everyday driving: stay calm in traffic jams and develop safe habits to ensure a reliable journey home.
From the examiner's perspective, when there's a vehicle in front of the candidate during startup, the best approach is to remain calm and stationary. The driving test (Section 3) evaluates safety awareness and operational standards, not speed. If you stop and wait for the vehicle ahead to move, I'll notice that you've observed the surroundings and checked blind spots—this demonstrates qualified driving skills. Don't rush to accelerate; first confirm the rearview mirror and use turn signals (if permitted), but avoid honking too loudly as it's disruptive. Always request permission before changing lanes to prevent accidents. Proceed with normal startup only when it's safe. Such minor interruptions are common, and handling them patiently can actually earn you bonus points.
