Which gear should be used for straight-line driving in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Use the 3rd gear. The speed for straight-line driving should not be too slow, as it may cause the vehicle to deviate. As the speed increases, the gear should be shifted up to the 3rd gear. If the road is flat with no pedestrians or other vehicles, you can slightly increase the speed and use the 4th gear. Below are some relevant tips: 1. Plan ahead: During the straight-line driving test, keep your eyes focused far ahead to better assess the road conditions and plan your next moves in advance. It's also helpful to anticipate any sudden appearances of pedestrians or vehicles. 2. Adjust direction promptly: Make timely adjustments to keep the vehicle aligned and on the correct path to avoid crossing lines. Additionally, stay relaxed during the test, as excessive tension can make muscle control difficult and lead to errors in driving maneuvers.
For the straight-line driving section in Subject 3, I generally recommend directly shifting to 3rd gear, as this is a key point for passing the test. The speed needs to be maintained between 20 to 30 km/h, and using 3rd gear helps keep the speed more stable—not too fast to cause steering wheel wobbling, nor too slow to make the examiner think you lack speed control. If you shift to a lower gear like 2nd, the speed tends to surge, making it hard to maintain a straight line. On the other hand, shifting to a higher gear like 4th risks failing the test due to insufficient speed. Back when I was learning, my instructor always emphasized this: shift to the right gear, make slight steering adjustments, look ahead instead of at the ground, and maintain steady throttle. With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of it. During practice, use 3rd gear more often to get a feel for speed changes, and you won’t panic during the test. Don’t underestimate this small detail—it affects both overall safety and your pass rate.
Driving straight in 3rd gear is super simple and reliable. Maintain a speed around 25km/h in 3rd gear, lightly press the accelerator, make small steering adjustments, and keep your eyes fixed ahead without moving too much. If you accidentally shift to 2nd gear, the speed will surge, making it hard to control the direction; shifting to 4th gear will result in lower speed, making it easy for the examiner to nitpick during scoring. I've seen too many people fail the test because of wrong gear shifts—what a pity. Beginners should practice more, repeatedly driving straight in 3rd gear on open roads to get familiar with it, which will reduce nervousness during the test. Remember, matching speed and gear well to avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration can significantly improve your pass rate. This trick also works in real driving—keeping steady on highways without much effort.
