Which gear is generally used in Subject 3?
3 Answers
During the Subject 3 driving test, the examination requirements stipulate that the test vehicle should start in 1st gear, transition to 2nd gear, and use 3rd and 4th gears for normal driving speeds. Additionally, it is required to drive no more than 50 meters in 1st gear and no more than 300 meters in 3rd gear. When encountering turns or U-turns, the driver should signal, shift to 2nd gear, and reduce speed. Below is an introduction to the Subject 3 test: 1. The road driving skills test for Subject 3 generally includes: preparation before driving, simulated lighting test, starting, driving straight, shifting gears, changing lanes, pulling over, driving straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving. 2. The safe and civilized driving knowledge test generally includes: safe and civilized driving operation requirements, safe driving knowledge under adverse weather and complex road conditions, emergency handling methods for situations like tire blowouts, and post-accident handling knowledge.
During the driving test (Subject 3), different operations require shifting between different gears. You must use 1st gear when starting, gently release the clutch while applying the throttle for a smooth start, and then quickly shift to 2nd gear—this shift must be completed within 5 seconds. During practice, I was scolded by the instructor several times for shifting too slowly. During the straight-line driving phase, you typically use 2nd or 3rd gear, maintaining a speed of 20-30 km/h for stability. For turns or U-turns, you should downshift to 2nd or 1st gear in advance for better control. The most critical part is the gear-shifting exercise, where most regions now require shifting from 2nd to 4th gear and then back to 2nd—this requires excellent hand-foot coordination. Throughout the test, you'll mostly switch between 1st and 4th gears, with no more than 100 meters driven in 2nd gear. Never start in 3rd gear or drive in 1st gear for too long, as this will result in an immediate fail.
Proper gear selection is the foundation of safe driving during the Driving License Test (Subject 3). I recommend using 1st gear for starting, U-turns, and pulling over, then shifting to 2nd gear once the vehicle starts moving. 2nd gear is most suitable for normal driving, with the smoothest operation around 25km/h. Many test routes permit 3rd gear for straight-line driving sections, but speeds exceeding 35km/h can cause panic, so adjustments should be made in advance. The gear shifting exercise is now a standard test item - upon instruction, shift from 2nd to 4th gear and back to 2nd within 5 seconds, coordinating throttle and clutch precisely. Special attention must be paid to school zones and intersections where downshifting below 2nd gear is mandatory, otherwise it will be judged as dangerous driving. The highest gear used during the test is typically 4th, as 5th gear is rarely needed given the short test route length. Never stop the vehicle with gears engaged - always return to 1st gear when restarting, as these are common point deductions.
