Why Was the Single Plank Bridge Removed from Subject Two?

[Myrtle]

Because it can simplify the test items. Here are some related extended materials: 1. Single Plank Bridge: The single plank bridge is one of the four items in the automobile driver's license test (also known as "9 choose 6" or "9 choose 4" in some places). It mainly assesses the driver's ability to control the direction of the vehicle, accurately judge the position and trajectory of all wheels, and master the technique of driving without parallel movement. 2. Subject Two: Also known as the small road test, it is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and is the abbreviation for the field driving skill test. The test items for small cars C1 and C2 include reversing into a garage, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving along a curve (commonly known as the S-bend) as the five mandatory items (some regions also include a sixth item, high-speed card collection).

[LydiaRose]

When I took my driving test years ago, the second subject included the single-plank bridge exercise. Later, I heard it was removed, which makes perfect sense. Having driven for nearly twenty years, I've never encountered such a complex road condition as a single-plank bridge in real-life driving. Mostly driving in cities, the most challenging tasks are just reversing, parking, or making turns. Learning the single-plank bridge felt like an unnecessary skill—not only did it waste test time but also heightened novices' nervousness, increasing accident risks. Nowadays, the test focuses more on practical applications, like hill starts and right-angle turns, which are truly useful in daily driving. After the changes, learning to drive has become much more efficient, sparing learners from worrying about unnecessary skills. The entire test now aligns better with real driving conditions, helping drivers adapt quickly and safely.

[AidenFitz]

I just passed Subject 2 last year. I remember my instructor mentioned that the single-plank bridge test was canceled, which is great because this item was somewhat outdated and dangerous. It's hardly used in actual driving, and testing it just took up time that could have been spent practicing other essential skills, like parallel parking and other practical items. The policy adjustment was likely made to reduce the difficulty of the test and improve the pass rate, avoiding unnecessary psychological pressure. Now, the test focuses more on safe driving, reducing potential risks. I felt the whole process was smoother and more considerate, saving a lot of effort and directly targeting practical skills—how good is that!

[DelHarrison]

I believe the removal of the single-plank bridge from Subject 2 is an inevitable result of driving test optimization. This item previously simulated off-road scenarios that are rarely encountered in reality. For beginners, it was complex to operate and could cause distractions leading to accidents. It's better to focus energy on practical skills like reverse parking. The policy emphasizes standardization and fairness, reducing ineffective testing to improve efficiency. In actual driving schools, trainees now practice more focused and master skills faster, making the entire system more reasonable and efficient.