Which Province Has Canceled Gear Shifting?
3 Answers
Guangdong Province has canceled gear shifting. Benefits of canceling gear shifting: For students who are not very proficient in gear shifting, canceling it is a blessing. They no longer have to worry about failing due to shifting into the wrong gear. The gear shifting test not only requires correct gear selection but also matching speeds. For example, shifting into fourth gear at 20 km/h would still result in failure. After canceling gear shifting, if the speed does not match, the maximum penalty is a deduction of 10 points, and the test is still considered passed. Correct techniques for gear shifting in Subject 3: Upshifting: Start by pressing the clutch, shift into 1st gear, engage the half-clutch and accelerate. When the speed reaches around 15 km/h, release the throttle, press the clutch, and shift into 2nd gear. Release the clutch and accelerate. When the speed reaches around 25 km/h, release the throttle, press the clutch, and shift into 3rd gear. Release the clutch and accelerate. Downshifting: Press the brake to reduce speed below 20 km/h, release the brake, press the clutch, and shift into 2nd gear. Continue braking to reduce speed below 10 km/h, release the brake, press the clutch, and shift into 1st gear.
I remember that in June 2021, the driving license examination policy was adjusted nationwide, especially for small automatic transmission vehicles (C2), where the gear shifting (adding and reducing gears) item was removed from the test. The aim was to adapt to the popularity of automatic transmissions and simplify operations to make it easier for more people to pass. Back when I was learning to drive, gear shifting was indeed a major hurdle. With manual transmissions, you constantly had to change gears, and beginners were prone to stalling or making mistakes. Now that automatic transmissions are prevalent, removing this part from the test has significantly reduced the pressure on candidates. My cousin got his C2 license last year and managed it in less than a month—effortless and stress-free. However, this change only applies to C2 licenses. The C1 manual transmission test still includes the gear shifting component, as it's considered a fundamental skill. The policy is unified nationwide, without provincial differences, and driving schools across the country are implementing the new rules. Regarding driving safety, it's emphasized that automatic transmissions are easier to handle, so everyone should be careful not to confuse the types.
My driving instructor mentioned this when I was at driving school. In 2021, the rules were unified nationwide, and the automatic transmission test no longer includes gear shifting. Simply put, it eliminates the hassle of manual transmission operations. After the new regulations, the test is more aligned with real-life situations. Automatic transmission cars are everywhere now; you don't need to shift gears to start or accelerate, making learning faster and more efficient. Back when I learned manual transmission, practicing gear shifts drove me crazy—get the wrong gear, and the car would shudder. Now, friends taking the C2 test don’t have to worry about that, but manual transmission is still tested since it helps with driving feel. The policy is nationwide with no provincial differences. I recommend those getting a license to go for automatic transmission first—it saves time and money, and you can always learn manual later. Driving safety is paramount; simplifying the test doesn’t mean neglecting skills.
