What Happens If You Fail or Cheat on the Chinese Driving Test
Most people pass the Chinese driving tests, but failing one is common enough that the rules about retakes are worth knowing. This guide explains what happens when you fail, miss an exam, or break the rules.
Retake rules
Under the provisions:
- Each subject is taken once per booking. If you fail, you may retake it once in the same booking.
- If you choose not to retake, or you fail the retake, that booking ends, and you must book again.
- For Subject 2 and Subject 3, you must wait at least 10 days before the next booking.
- If you fail only the Subject 3 safe and civilized driving knowledge part, your road-test result stays valid.
The five-booking limit
While your driving learning certificate is valid (three years), you may make no more than five bookings each for Subject 2 and for the Subject 3 road test. If you fail the fifth booking, your other passed results are voided. You then have to start again with a new application.
If the passed subjects have expired, the same happens: the certificate is valid for three years, and results lapse if you have not finished all subjects in that time.
If you miss a booked exam
- You should cancel at least one day before the exam.
- If you do not cancel and do not turn up, the exam is recorded as a fail, and it uses up one of your five bookings.
Moving to a new city
If you have passed some subjects and move home, you can apply to change the exam location. You can do this up to three times. The Beijing page describes a one-time change for small-car applicants; the national provisions allow up to three changes.
Cheating and fraud: the penalties
| Situation | What the provisions say |
|---|---|
| You hide facts or give false documents when applying | The application is refused. Fine of up to 500 yuan. You cannot apply again for one year |
| You bribe or cheat during the test | The exam qualification is cancelled and other passed results are void. Fine of up to 2,000 yuan. You cannot apply again for one year |
| You obtain a license by deception or bribery | The license is confiscated and the permit revoked. Fine of up to 2,000 yuan. You cannot apply again for three years |
| You organize or take part in the above for profit | Fine of three to five times the illegal income, up to 100,000 yuan |
| You take the test on someone else’s behalf | Barred from applying for three years |
| You cheat in a license-verification course | Learning record is void. Fine up to 1,000 yuan; fine up to 2,000 yuan for attending in someone else’s place |
Exam cameras and exam fairness
The provisions require test centers to record audio and video of tests, to assign examiners and routes randomly by computer on the day, and to let candidates view their test video for three days after the test. Candidates should not pay anyone to “guarantee” a pass: examiners and test-center staff who take money or help candidates cheat can be punished, and the candidate can lose the right to reapply.
What to do if you think a result is wrong
The provisions do not describe a formal appeal route in the text we read. If you believe an error occurred, ask the vehicle administration office about their complaint procedure. You can view the exam video within three days after the test, according to the provisions.
Tips to avoid failing
- Practice with the mock exam in exam mode until you score 90% or higher.
- Read the three subjects explained for what each test covers.
- Never agree to pay a “guaranteed pass” middleman.