Which gear should be used for a left turn in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Turning can be done in third gear, but the speed should be controlled at around 20 km/h. It can also be done in second gear, but idling is not allowed. After turning, you should immediately shift to third gear. Below is the relevant content: Deceleration and downshifting: During the C1 Subject 3 test, the requirement for turning gear is to decelerate and downshift. Otherwise, it is easy to have a mismatch between speed and gear, which may result in point deductions and can also cause the car to stall. It is recommended to decelerate and downshift. Subject 3: Also known as the road test, it generally includes: preparation before starting, starting, driving straight, gear shifting operations, changing lanes, pulling over, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, passing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and night driving.
When I took the driving test for Subject 3, I was particularly struggling with the gear issue. The instructor taught that left turns must be made in second gear, with the speed kept below 20 km/h. You need to complete the deceleration and downshift 50 meters before entering the turn. Press the clutch, shift to second gear, and lightly tap the brake to slow down—this action must be practiced until it becomes muscle memory. The worst fear is panicking and mistaking the accelerator for the brake, which I did during my mock test. While turning, keep your eyes on the traffic light at the intersection and watch out for any sudden electric scooters coming from the left rear. Once the turn is complete and the car is straightened, immediately shift back to third gear—this transition is crucial, as any delay will cost you points from the examiner. Remember, turning the steering wheel all the way can easily lead to crossing the line, so it’s better to turn it a half-turn more and then straighten it out.
Last week, I just finished practicing left turns with my students, focusing on two key points: gear shifting and observation. You must use second gear for the operation, and exceeding 30 km/h will result in an immediate failure. It's recommended to start preparing 100 meters before the turn by easing off the throttle, allowing the speed to naturally drop to around 25 km/h before shifting to second gear. Once entering the solid line area, make sure to turn your head noticeably to both sides to show the examiner you're checking the mirrors. A handy tip is to treat the steering wheel like a clock—pushing your left hand to the 4 o'clock position will give you just the right 90-degree turn. After completing the turn, don't rush to accelerate; first straighten the wheels until you hear a 'click' sound indicating the steering wheel is back in position. Finally, remember to turn off the turn signal—a step that six out of ten students forget.
