Subject 1 Written Test in China: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Subject 1 (科目一) is the written exam on road traffic laws and safe-driving knowledge. It is the first test for a Chinese driver’s license, and for many foreigners it is the only test. This guide explains the facts and how to prepare.
Key facts
- Pass mark: at least 90 out of 100 points.
- Time: 45 minutes (per the Beijing government’s English page).
- What it covers: road use rules, traffic signals, how traffic violations and accidents are handled, how a driver’s license is applied for and used, vehicle registration, and other laws, regulations and rules on road traffic safety.
- Standard: the content and pass mark are uniform across the country.
- Booking: book through the Traffic Management 12123 app, the comprehensive traffic safety service platform or the vehicle administration office.
Who takes Subject 1
| Applicant | Tests required |
|---|---|
| First-time applicant for a car class | Subject 1, then 2 and 3 |
| Foreign license holder converting to a car class (C1, C2) | Subject 1 only |
| Foreign license holder applying for bus or truck classes | Subjects 1, 2 and 3 |
| Someone whose license was cancelled for expiry (within two years) | Subject 1 to regain driving rights |
| Staff of embassies, consulates and international organizations | By diplomatic reciprocity |
If you are converting a foreign license, see how foreigners get a Chinese driver’s license.
What happens after you pass
- First-time applicants receive a driving learning certificate within one working day. It is valid for three years. You then book Subject 2 and Subject 3. See the three subjects explained.
- Foreign license holders converting a car license pass on to the final steps: safety education (at least 30 minutes), the license oath ceremony, and the license. You must finish all required exams within three years of the office accepting your application.
What happens if you fail
Each exam can be retaken once per booking. If you skip the retake or fail it, that booking ends and you need to book again. If you miss a booked exam without cancelling a day ahead, it counts as a fail. The national provisions set a minimum 10-day wait only for Subjects 2 and 3. For Subject 1, ask the office how soon you can rebook. See failing and cheating.
Is the test available in English?
The official sources we read do not say which languages the test is offered in. If you need a foreign-language exam, ask your local vehicle administration office before you book.
How the exam is run
Under the provisions, exams are run on a nationwide computer system. Examiners are assigned randomly, and the exam is recorded in audio and video. You can ask to view your exam video for three days after the exam. Candidates who cheat are disqualified and cannot apply again for a year.
Topics to study
The questions are based on the Road Traffic Safety Law and its Implementing Regulations. These areas come up repeatedly in the rules themselves:
| Topic | Study points | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic signals and signs | Meaning of red, yellow, green, flashing yellow, lane signals, direction arrows | Traffic lights and signals |
| Speed | Limits on roads without signs, speeds for bad weather, expressway minimums and maximums | Speed limits |
| Right of way | Intersections, roundabouts, narrow roads, emergency vehicles, pedestrians | Right of way |
| Expressways | Entering and leaving, distances, breakdowns | Expressways |
| Parking | Where you may not stop | Parking rules |
| Accidents | What to do at the scene | After an accident |
| Licenses and points | Probation, validity, penalty points, renewal | License rules |
| Alcohol | Legal limits | Drink-driving limits |
A simple study plan
- Days 1-2: read the signals, right-of-way and speed guides.
- Days 3-4: read the expressway, parking and accident guides.
- Day 5: read the license, probation and penalty-point guides.
- Days 6-7: take the mock exam in practice mode and read every explanation.
- Before the test: switch to exam mode and aim for 90% or better, since that is the real pass mark. Use “Practice my missed questions” to fix weak spots.
Our mock exam questions are original and written from the law. They are not the official question bank, so also use any study material your local office provides.
On test day
- Bring your identity document and the booking confirmation.
- Arrive early. Missing your slot counts as a fail.
- Read each question twice. Many questions test details such as distances or speeds.
- Keep an eye on the clock: 45 minutes is the limit.
Sources
- Provisions on the Application for and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses (机动车驾驶证申领和使用规定), Articles 30-32, 37-41, 45-47
- Beijing Municipal Government (English): First Time Application for Driving License
- Road Traffic Safety Law of the PRC, English translation (Supreme People's Court English site)
- Regulation on the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law (道路交通安全法实施条例)