Will points be deducted for gear shifting mistakes in Subject 2?

[VanRemington]

No points will be deducted. Subject 2 mainly examines the candidate's ability to control the vehicle's position in the field. Generally, shifting to the wrong gear does not result in point deductions. However, if a wrong gear is detected, it is still necessary to promptly shift to the correct gear to avoid affecting the vehicle's performance and, consequently, the operation of the vehicle. Additional information: Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and is the abbreviation for the field driving skills test. The test items for cars C1 and C2 include five mandatory tests: reversing into a garage, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving through curves (commonly known as S-curves). The total score for the test is 100 points, and a score below 80 points for C1 and C2 tests will be considered a failure.

[Daniel]

I totally get it when practicing Subject 2! Gear shifting mistakes definitely lead to point deductions. Straight to the point: stalling deducts 10 points, gear-speed mismatch deducts 10 points, and starting the engine in gear is an instant fail. The most frustrating part is reverse gear—if you shift incorrectly or fail to engage it, the car moving backward even slightly means failure. Once, my student turned the steering wheel half a circle with their left hand while shifting with the right, causing the car to cross the line. My advice: build muscle memory during practice—always press the clutch fully before shifting, keep your palm on the steering wheel after shifting, and focus on the rearview mirror without glancing around.

[VanAmy]

A veteran who failed the driving test's Subject 2 three times tells you: Gear shifting penalties are a chain reaction! For example, if you release the clutch too abruptly during hill starts, the car shakes violently, and you force it into gear, it will immediately stall, costing you 10 points. Even worse, shifting into reverse but accidentally engaging first gear will cause the system to detect forward movement and directly disqualify you. In reality, the test car's gearshift is particularly stiff—for Volkswagen models, you need to press down to engage reverse. My advice is to keep your right hand off the steering wheel for no more than 2 seconds, avoid tensing your arm too much, and use your wrist to give a quick, decisive push—looking down at the gearshift is a guaranteed fail.

[DiDerek]

As a driving instructor, I emphasize the three ironclad rules of gear shifting every day: 1. Always return to neutral when stopping (except for hill starts); 2. Depress the clutch decisively when shifting gears; 3. Straighten your left leg simultaneously when your right hand touches the gear lever. Students often fail when shifting gears midway through an S-curve, causing the car to veer off course, or accidentally touching the gear lever while correcting direction during parallel parking. Exam cars are much more sensitive than training cars, so I recommend wearing thin gloves to increase friction. Gear shifting movements should be as quick and crisp as slamming a car door shut.

[VonBentley]

Gear shifting in Subject 2 requires steadiness, accuracy, and speed. Shifting into the wrong reverse gear during reverse parking results in a 100-point deduction! Statistics show that 34% of failures are due to gear operation errors. Personal experience tells you: the Jetta exam car requires pressing the gear lever down to engage reverse, while the Santana training car needs the ring to be pulled up. Before the exam, be sure to test the clutch pedal travel—some cars have enough free play to fit a finger. Focus on practicing hill starts and right-angle turns, as these are the sections where panicked gear shifting errors most commonly occur.

[VanRyan]

Heartfelt advice from a new driver who just got their license: The most frustrating gear-shifting mistake is forgetting to shift into first gear when starting. One sister scored full marks in the mock test, but during the actual exam, she was so nervous that she directly shifted into third gear while holding the clutch, and when the car didn't move, she thought it was a handbrake issue, ultimately failing due to timeout. Three reminders: 1. Wait for the voice command before shifting gears; 2. Before each gear change, silently recite the three-step mantra 'neutral-clutch-shift'; 3. If the engine stalls, don't panic—always return to neutral before restarting, as failing this step will result in an immediate full-point deduction.