china-c1-drive-license
About 2153 wordsAbout 7 min
drive-licensereal-world-things
2026-05-30
openMAIC 课堂链接
1. Overview
The China C1 driving license test is usually divided into four classes:
1.1 Class One: Theory Test
Computer-based quiz about traffic rules, signs, laws, and safe driving knowledge.
1.2 Class Two: Field Test
Low-speed, short-distance, precise driving tasks performed in a dedicated test field.
1.3 Class Three: Road Test
Driving on public roads while performing actions such as turning, overtaking, and gear changes.
1.4 Class Four: Safety Knowledge Test
Another computer-based quiz, with more focus on safety awareness and civilized driving.
2. Basic Terms
2.1 Gear Positions
- Neutral: gears are not connected, and no power is delivered to the wheels.
- 1st gear: 0–10 km/h
- 2nd gear: 10–30 km/h
- 3rd gear: 25–45 km/h
- 4th gear: 35–70 km/h
- 5th gear: 60–120 km/h
- Reverse: drive backward
2.2 Road Markings
- Line: do not touch or cross it; it marks lane boundaries or limits.
- Dash: can be crossed; helps you understand your position.
2.3 Vehicle Parts and Controls
- Rearview mirrors: left, right, and center mirrors used to observe behind the vehicle.
- Handbrake: keeps the vehicle stopped.
- Clutch: disconnects the engine from the gearbox and helps control power delivery.
- Brake: slows the vehicle.
- Throttle: increases engine power and speed.
- Seat belt: keeps you secured during sudden stops or crashes.
- Dashboard: shows vehicle information.
- Turn signal: tells others where you intend to go.
3. Class One: Theory Test
3.1 Study Method
- Refer to both:
- local theory test materials from the driving school or test center
- the newest published study materials you can find
- First get a general outline of the content.
- Then practice quiz questions.
- After completing about one-third of the total question bank (usually nearly 2000 questions), start taking simulation tests.
- If you can regularly score 90/100, you are likely ready to pass.
3.2 Main Topics
- Traffic signals
- police gestures
- traffic lights
- traffic signs
- road markings
- License point system
- how points are lost
- common test content
- Speed rules
- normal road speed limits
- highway speed limits
- visibility, speed, and following distance
- Vehicle instruments
- mechanical instruments
- dashboard signs and meanings
- warning indicators
- lighting and turn signals
- Traffic law
- how to get a driving license and where it can be used
- driver administration rules
- special rules for applying for a driving license
- point deduction system
- speeding, overloading, and new rules
- New punishment rules
- Other common test content
- dangerous driving behavior
- traffic accident types
- how to regain points
- “two licenses, two signs, one plate”
- Intelligent driving assistance systems
- New rules and date limits
- Vehicle registration
- situations that require registration changes
- how to cancel registration
- Full version of point recovery rules
- Driving license related topics
- do not drive the wrong type of vehicle
- how to upgrade your license
- Emergency rescue after accidents
- Being polite on the road
- How to handle accidents
- Drunk driving consequences
4. Class Two: Field Test
Class Two is about physical practice, muscle memory, and repeated review.
This guide is mainly for passing the test. After getting your license, you should continue learning practical real-world driving skills.
4.1 Starting the Vehicle
When you get into the vehicle, follow these steps:
- Fasten your seat belt.
- Adjust the seat horizontally so that when you press the clutch fully, your leg still has about a 30-degree bend.
- Adjust the seat height so there is still enough headroom.
- Adjust the mirrors properly:
- left mirror: you should be able to see the full wheel edge
- right mirror: the door handle should appear near the center, slightly left
- Turn the key to the self-check position.
- check dashboard lights
- check handbrake status
- check interior lights are off
- Press the clutch fully.
- Turn the key to start the engine for a short time, then release it back.
4.2 Moving Forward
To move forward:
- Press the clutch fully.
- Shift into 1st gear.
- Slowly release the clutch to the half-engagement point.
- Hold the clutch there and learn to feel:
- the vibration when half-engaged
- the point where the engine may stall
- If the engine stalls:
- shift to neutral
- restart the engine
- begin again
- Release the handbrake.
4.3 Stopping
To stop safely:
- Press the brake.
- When speed drops below the minimum speed for the current gear, press the clutch fully.
- If leaving the vehicle or parking, raise the handbrake.
4.4 Basic Positioning
- Move forward slowly and return to a standard seated posture.
- Align the center of the vehicle with the left line of the road.
- Use visual references such as:
- the center area near the wiper rivet
- the imagined wheel track of the vehicle
- This positioning skill is useful throughout the entire test.
4.5 General Cautions
- When it is your turn to enter the vehicle, begin promptly.
- If the next subject area is occupied, stop and wait.
- Do not trigger the test area too early.
- Do not move into the next area before the previous vehicle has finished.
5. Class Two Subjects
5.1 Subject One: Start on Ramp
This subject requires very good clutch control.
- Perform the basic positioning routine.
- As you approach the ramp, release the clutch slightly more to get enough power.
- Adjust the clutch very gently while keeping the car centered.
- As the front of the vehicle nears the stop line, slow down even more.
- When the lower edge of the left rearview mirror aligns with the upper line, press the brake halfway and press the clutch slightly deeper.
- Pull the handbrake and hold for 5 seconds.
- Release the handbrake, raise the clutch slightly, slowly release the brake, and turn the wheel slightly left.
- After reaching the top of the ramp, use the brake to control speed on the way down.
- Remember to turn left appropriately to prepare for the next subject.
If the engine stalls halfway:
- Press the brake.
- Restart the vehicle.
- Repeat the process.
5.2 Subject Two: Side Parking
- Perform the basic positioning routine.
- Stop after the bottom of the steering wheel crosses the stop line.
- Shift into reverse.
- Reverse until the bottom edge of the left rearview mirror nearly touches the cross dash.
- Turn the wheel fully right.
- Continue slowly backward.
- When the third vertical dash on the right appears from the vehicle body, straighten the wheel.
- When the wheel reaches the vertical dash, turn fully left.
- When the whole vehicle enters the parking area, stop and keep the wheel angle.
- Turn on the left turn signal.
- Shift into 1st gear.
- Move forward slowly.
- When the lower-right corner of the window aligns with the right line at about a 45-degree angle, drive straight.
- After about 3 seconds, when about two-thirds of the vehicle is out, turn one full round to the right.
- Add more right steering if needed.
- Return to the basic positioning routine.
5.3 Subject Three: Right-Angle Turn
- Perform the basic positioning routine.
- Before the sign, turn on the left turn signal.
- Slow down.
- When the bottom of the steering wheel reaches the cross dash, or when you judge the front wheels to be at the center of the turn, turn fully left.
- After the rear wheels pass the corner, return to the basic positioning routine.
5.4 Subject Four: Curve Driving
- Perform the basic positioning routine.
- Keep the left rearview mirror about one-quarter to the left of the left line.
- Keep a suitable distance from the left rear wheel to the line, usually around 70 cm.
- After the first left curve ends, drive straight.
- After about 5 seconds, or using your visual reference point, when the front end of the left line appears near the door handle position, turn right one full round.
- Keep matching the front point of the left line with the door handle position.
- After the left line ends, drive straight.
- Return to the basic positioning routine.
5.5 Subject Five: Reverse Parking
- Perform the basic positioning routine.
- Find an empty parking area.
- Stay close to the right line, keeping about a 70 cm gap.
- When your shoulder aligns with the cross dash of the parking area, turn fully right.
- When the wiper rivet aligns with the left corner of the parking rectangle, straighten the wheel.
- When the rear wheels cross the left line, turn fully left.
- Align the wiper rivet with the sign pole.
- Slow down and stop when the bottom of the steering wheel reaches the cross dash.
- Shift into reverse.
- Reverse slowly.
- When the rearview mirror button is about 50 cm from the cross dash, turn fully right.
- Look at the right rearview mirror. When the vehicle body reaches the right edge of the third vertical dash, straighten the wheel.
- When the middle of the door handle reaches the vertical dashes, turn fully right again.
- Look at the left rearview mirror. When the vehicle body aligns with the left line, or slightly beyond it, straighten the wheel.
- Adjust the position as needed based on experience.
- Stop when the center of the wheel passes slightly over the back line.
- Shift into 1st gear.
- Move straight forward.
- When your shoulder reaches the cross dash and line, turn left one and a half rounds.
- Continue moving; you may go slightly faster.
- When the front wheel crosses the cross dash, stop.
- Shift into reverse.
- Reverse straight without turning the wheel.
- Watch the left rearview mirror. When the wheel is about to reach the extension of the left border of the first dash, turn fully right.
- Repeat the alignment and adjustment steps.
- Stop at the correct final position.
- Shift into 1st gear.
- Move forward again.
- When the shoulder reaches the cross dash and line, turn right one round.
- When the rear wheel reaches the cross dash, turn fully right.
- Stop after the front wheel crosses the next cross dash.
- Finish.
6. Class Three: Road Test
Class Three focuses more on practical driving on public roads, but it can still be summarized into a clear outline.
6.1 Light Test
Important:
- Wait until the voice broadcast fully stops before performing the required action.
- When the next broadcast starts, stop using the high beam if needed.
Procedure:
Turn all lights off and wait for the test to begin.
When the test starts, first turn on the low beam.
The system will then randomly give scenarios. Respond correctly:
- emergency lights on + low beam on: pull over and stop at the roadside
- flash high beam twice: used when meeting another vehicle, overtaking, or passing danger zones such as sharp bends, bridges, and slopes
- low beam on: used in good lighting conditions or when other vehicles are nearby
- high beam on: used in poor lighting conditions
6.2 Starting the Engine and Moving Off
- Honk the horn.
- Turn on the left turn signal.
- Shift into 1st gear.
- Release the handbrake.
6.3 When Turning
- Turn on the correct turn signal.
- Check the mirror in that direction multiple times.
- 2nd gear is usually suitable for turning.
6.4 Things to Always Watch For
- Brake when there is a pedestrian crossing indicator ahead.
- Be careful around bus stops.
- Be careful near school warning signs.
- Stop properly when making a U-turn.
- Honk if someone blocks your way and the situation requires warning.
- Keep the turn signal on for at least 4 seconds before turning when required.
7. Class Four: Safety Knowledge Test
Class Four is similar to Class One, but focuses more on road safety and civilized driving.
7.1 Main Topics
- Recognizing signs, lines, and road situations
- Driving skills
- braking, downshifting, and stopping
- handling complex road conditions and bad weather
- highway driving, vehicle fire response, and escaping after driving into water
- dangerous cargo and emergency rescue knowledge
- bad habits and being polite to school buses
