What to Do When Encountering a Test Car with Difficult Gear Shifting?
2 Answers
If you encounter a test car with difficult gear shifting during the Subject 2 driving test, you can only try a few more times. If there is an examiner sitting beside you, you can ask for help or report the issue. Generally, if an unexpected situation occurs, the examiner will provide some hints. Here is some extended information about the driving test: 1. No Deduction: According to the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses', re-shifting gears when starting the car does not result in a deduction. However, if you shift out of gear and then back into gear while the car is moving, you will be deducted 100 points and directly deemed as failing. Therefore, if you find the car difficult to shift gears before it moves, you can try a few more times, as long as you ensure the gear is engaged before releasing the clutch to start. 2. Report the Issue: Test cars are usually easier to drive than training cars, so encountering difficulty in shifting gears is relatively rare. If you find it hard to shift gears, first check if the clutch is fully depressed. If everything is normal and you still can't shift gears, you can report it to the examiner.
I've taught many students to handle similar situations. The most common reasons for difficulty shifting gears in an exam car are either the clutch not being fully depressed or the vehicle speed not matching. Don't panic. First, press the clutch pedal all the way down, make sure it's in neutral, then gently shift into the target gear. If it still gets stuck, slightly release the clutch and press it again to allow the gears to engage, giving it some reaction time. Sometimes older cars have worn clutches, so test the responsiveness by pressing the clutch a few times before the exam. Psychological factors play a big role—nervousness can make your hands and feet clumsy. Take a few deep breaths and recall the rhythm you practiced with. If retrying two or three times doesn't work, stop the car promptly and report the issue to the examiner. They will handle it, even arranging for a vehicle change if necessary—exam rules support such safety measures. The key is not to force it and damage the transmission, which could lead to point deductions affecting your overall score. Staying steady is most important. Keep your mindset calm and operate as you would during regular practice.
