Will points be deducted if the speed falls below 20 km/h in Subject 3?
3 Answers
Points will be deducted. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Reason for deduction: In Subject 3, the matching speed for third gear is generally between 25 km/h and 35 km/h, with a minimum not below 20 km/h and a maximum not exceeding 40 km/h. Once these limits are exceeded, there is a 5-8 second buffer period to adjust gears. As long as the corresponding speed is restored within the specified time, no points will be deducted. 2. Test content: The road driving skills test for Subject 3 typically includes: preparation before starting, simulated lighting test, starting off, driving in a straight line, gear shifting operations, changing lanes, pulling over to the side, driving straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, passing through pedestrian crossings, passing through school zones, passing through bus stops, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, and nighttime driving.
I remember when teaching driving, students in the Subject 3 exam are easily penalized if their speed drops below 20km/h. This is mainly because the rules require maintaining a reasonable speed to simulate real driving scenarios. On urban roads, if you drive too slowly—say 15-16km/h—the examiner may deem you unskilled and a traffic obstruction, typically deducting 2-5 points depending on local standards. Exam deductions include improper operation and safety risks. I’ve seen many fail due to nervousness-induced slow driving. I recommend practicing more on real roads to get comfortable with the 20-40km/h range, keeping it steady without over-prioritizing slowness—safety first. Before the exam, thoroughly review the local manual to avoid this pitfall. The key to driving is balancing speed—don’t let mistakes undo your effort.
Last year when I took the Driving Test Part 3, I encountered a speed issue where my speed dropped to 18km/h. The examiner immediately deducted 3 points, as the rules clearly state that the speed must not fall below 20km/h during straight-line or wide-road sections, otherwise it's considered unstable operation affecting traffic flow. In real driving, going too slow invites honking from vehicles behind, and it's equally risky during the test. Fortunately, I adjusted and passed later. Deduction specifics vary by person - scores below 20 might result from slow starts or conservative cornering. I recommend beginners use simulation apps for speed testing and practice acceleration more with instructor vehicles before the exam to avoid repeating such mistakes. Speed control is a fundamental skill - staying near the passing threshold is acceptable. Maintaining confidence is crucial - don't lose big over small issues.
