
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.

During the practice of Subject 3, I noticed that gear shifts follow specific driving maneuvers. Starting always requires 1st gear, shifting to 2nd once the car moves; for straight-line driving, I prefer using 2nd gear to maintain 30 km/h, though some test centers allow 3rd gear but it's riskier; before turning, always decelerate below 20 km/h and shift to 2nd gear; switch to 1st gear before making a U-turn. The most crucial practice is the gear shifting exercise: start in 2nd gear → accelerate to 25 km/h and shift to 3rd → reach 35 km/h and shift to 4th → release the throttle to decelerate → sequentially return to 3rd then 2nd gear. Ensure each gear shift is at least 50 meters apart, and the action should be smooth and continuous. During the test, pay special attention to the coordination between the throttle and clutch, especially when downshifting with a throttle blip—mismatched RPMs can lead to point deductions. Using up to 4th gear throughout the test is sufficient.

The requirements for gear usage in Subject 3 of the driving test are quite specific. Based on my post-exam statistics, about 70% of the time is spent in 2nd gear, 25% in 1st or 3rd gear, with occasional use of 4th gear. Starting and stopping must be done in 1st gear, and you must downshift below 2nd gear before turning. For straight-line driving, you can choose between 2nd or 3rd gear. Gear shifting is a core testing point: upon instruction, start from 2nd gear → accelerate to 30 km/h and shift to 3rd → reach 40 km/h and shift to 4th → release the throttle to naturally decelerate → downshift to 3rd at 30 km/h → return to 2nd at 20 km/h. Always fully depress the clutch before shifting, then release it smoothly; any jerking will result in point deductions. Special attention: you must slow down to 2nd gear in advance when approaching crosswalks. It's recommended to wear sports shoes for the test to ensure more precise foot control during gear shifts.


