China Driving Subject 4 (Small Car) exam-day guide
China Driving Subject 4 (Small Car) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original physical ID card (居民身份证)
Bring the original second-generation resident ID card used at registration; a copy, photo, or expired card is normally not accepted at the gate. If you registered with another accepted document (e.g., a residence permit for non-mainland residents), bring that original. Confirm the exact accepted documents with your training provider or the local vehicle administration office (车管所).
Admission/registration confirmation from the provider
Your driving school or the test venue typically issues a paper or electronic confirmation of the appointment (预约凭证) for Subject 4 (安全文明驾驶常识考试). Print it if your venue requires paper. Ask the provider whether it is needed - requirements vary by city.
Completed Subject 4 appointment status
Verify in the official appointment channel (e.g., the 交管12123 app or the local traffic-management platform) that your Subject 4 booking is confirmed and not cancelled. Screenshot the confirmation in case of poor signal at the venue.
Bring nothing that could be taken for a cheating device
Phones, smart watches, earbuds, Bluetooth devices, notes, and study materials must be switched off and stored in the designated locker or left outside the test room. Carrying them into the exam seat can be treated as a violation regardless of intent.
Arrive early - aim for 30–45 minutes before your slot
Allow time for security check, ID verification, photo capture, and queuing. Late arrivals may be refused entry depending on the venue's rules; confirm the cutoff with your provider.
Dress and grooming for the on-site photo
A photo is usually taken at check-in and used for the licence. Avoid hats, heavy makeup, and clothing that blends into the background; some venues ask you to remove glasses or masks briefly. Confirm any dress requirements with the venue.
Know your login credentials for the test system
Some venues log you in with your ID number and a seat-assigned account. Listen to the invigilator's instructions and ask before touching the keyboard if the screen does not match your name and ID.
Review the question formats you will see
Subject 4 is a computer-based theory test on safe and civilized driving, with single-answer and multiple-answer questions, and it commonly includes video/scenario-based items. Confirm the current question count, time limit, and pass mark with your provider or the official platform before test day.
Plan your transport and backup route
Know the exact venue address, entrance, and nearest public transport. Budget extra time for traffic and security queues; arrive with a charged phone for contact but keep it stored during the test.
Sleep, eat, and hydrate normally
The test is short but demands sustained attention. Avoid a late-night cramming session; a rested candidate reads multiple-answer items more carefully.
Know what happens after you pass
Ask your provider in advance how the licence is issued or mailed, whether an oath/ceremony is involved, and whether any fee is paid at the venue. Rules differ by locality - confirm rather than assume.
Plan the day
Confirm the appointment, venue address, report time, and accepted ID documents with your training provider. Re-read the areas you get wrong most often - typically multiple-answer items on safe-driving judgement, emergency handling, and traffic-sign combinations. Do timed practice sets under exam-like conditions, but stop heavy study by the evening before.
Do one full timed mock run and review every wrong answer by writing the reason in one sentence. Check that your ID card is valid and physically in your possession, not left at a school or office. Prepare clothing for the on-site photo and confirm transport arrangements.
Light review only: skim your own error notes and the rules for multiple-answer questions (select all correct options; a partially correct answer normally earns nothing). Pack your ID and any printed confirmation. Set two alarms, check the weather and route, and go to bed at a normal hour.
Eat a normal meal, leave early, and arrive 30–45 minutes before your slot. Keep your phone off and stored. At check-in, present your original ID, complete photo capture, and follow the invigilator's seating instructions.
Verify that the screen shows your name and ID before starting. Read each item fully, especially multiple-answer questions - count how many options you selected and re-check against the question wording. Use the review/mark function if the system offers one, and watch the remaining time. If the computer malfunctions, raise your hand and do not restart or switch machines yourself.
Follow the invigilator's instruction to leave quietly; do not discuss questions with candidates still testing. Collect your belongings from the locker. Ask staff how and when the result and licence are issued, and keep the confirmation slip.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document used at registration. Entry is normally refused without it; a photocopy or a photo on your phone is not a substitute. If you are unsure which documents your venue accepts, confirm with the provider before test day.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earbuds, or any study material into the test area. Switch devices off and store them as instructed; possession at the seat can be treated as a violation even if unused.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times: sit only at your assigned seat, do not talk, do not look at other screens, and do not help or accept help from other candidates.
Do not attempt to photograph, record, or transmit test content. Test items are confidential, and copying or sharing them can lead to cancellation of results and further penalties.
If the computer freezes, the screen is wrong, or you feel unwell, raise your hand and wait for staff. Do not reboot, move to another machine, or leave the room without permission.
Scoring is normally pass/fail against a fixed threshold, and multiple-answer questions usually require every correct option with no incorrect ones. Confirm the current question count, time limit, and pass mark with your provider or the official platform - do not rely on hearsay.
If you fail, ask staff about the waiting period before rebooking and the number of attempts allowed in your locality; these rules vary and should be confirmed with the provider or vehicle administration office rather than assumed.
Keep the room quiet on exit. Do not discuss specific questions with candidates who have not yet tested, and collect your stored belongings before leaving the venue.