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100+ Free Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Practice Questions

Prepare for the China Motor Vehicle Driving License Subject 1 Examination - Small Car (全国机动车驾驶人科目一理论考试 - 小型汽车C1/C2) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Exam

100 Items

Total questions on official computerized test

MPS Traffic Management Bureau Syllabus

45 Mins

Official test duration for Subject 1

GA 1026-2017 Driver Examination Standard

90%

Strict passing score threshold (90 / 100 points)

MPS Order No. 162

11 Errors

Automatic test termination upon 11 incorrect answers

National Driver Examination Computer System

3 Years

Validity of Learning Certificate to pass all remaining subjects

MPS Order No. 162 Article 41

12 Months

Penalty point scoring cycle & novice probation period

MPS Order No. 162 & Order No. 163

120 km/h

Maximum statutory speed limit for small cars on expressways

PRC Road Traffic Safety Law Implementing Regulations

China's Subject 1 Driving Theory Exam (科目一) is a 45-minute, 100-question computerized test with a strict 90% passing score (90/100) that automatically terminates upon 11 wrong answers. It tests PRC Road Traffic Safety Law, 2022 MPS Order 162/163 penalty points, road signs (GB 5768), police hand signals, intersection priority, speed limits, and vehicle instruments. Passing awards the 3-year Learning Certificate to proceed to practical tests. This 100-question set is an English-language MCQ study adaptation preserving Chinese legal and technical terms.

Sample Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the 2022 Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Order No. 163 penalty point scoring rules, driving a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol (饮酒后驾驶机动车) results in how many penalty points being recorded on the driver's license?
A.12 points
B.9 points
C.6 points
D.3 points
Explanation: Under Article 8 of MPS Order No. 163 (Measures for the Administration of Road Traffic Safety Illegal Act Scoring), driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol (BAC 20 mg/100 mL to <80 mg/100 mL) incurs a direct 12-point penalty deduction, along with a 6-month license suspension and statutory monetary fines under Article 91 of the PRC Road Traffic Safety Law. Drunk driving (BAC ≥80 mg/100 mL) constitutes a criminal offense (醉酒驾驶), resulting in direct license revocation and a 5-year reapplication ban.
2According to MPS Order No. 163, what penalty point deduction is imposed on a driver who flees the scene of a traffic accident that caused 轻伤 (minor injury) or worse, or a death, where the act does not itself amount to a crime (造成致人轻伤以上或者死亡的交通事故后逃逸，尚不构成犯罪)?
A.6 points
B.12 points
C.9 points
D.3 points
Explanation: Article 8(2) of MPS Order No. 163 records 12 points for fleeing an accident that caused 轻伤 (minor injury) or worse, or a death, where the conduct still falls short of a crime. The 2022 reform split the old single 12-point hit-and-run entry in two: Article 10(10) now records only 6 points where the accident caused 轻微伤 (slight injury) or property damage alone. If the hit-and-run does constitute a crime, Article 101 of the PRC Road Traffic Safety Law revokes the licence with a lifetime ban (终生禁驾).
3Under MPS Order No. 163, what is the penalty point deduction for operating a motor vehicle with forged or altered license plates, vehicle licenses, or driving licenses (使用伪造、变造的机动车号牌、行驶证、驾驶证)?
A.3 points
B.6 points
C.9 points
D.12 points
Explanation: Under Article 8 of MPS Order No. 163, using forged or altered motor vehicle plates, vehicle licenses, driving licenses, or school bus signs, or using plates and documents from another vehicle, results in a 12-point penalty deduction. The vehicle is also impounded, the forged items are confiscated, and the violator faces administrative detention of up to 15 days and fines between RMB 2,000 and 5,000 under Article 96 of the Road Traffic Safety Law.
4A driver operating a passenger car on an expressway or urban elevated road reverses, drives against traffic, or crosses the central divider to make a U-turn (倒车、逆行、穿越中央分隔带掉头). Under MPS Order No. 163, how many points are recorded?
A.9 points
B.6 points
C.3 points
D.12 points
Explanation: Under Article 8 of MPS Order No. 163, reversing, driving against the flow of traffic (wrong-way driving), or crossing the central dividing strip to execute a U-turn on an expressway (高速公路) or urban expressway/elevated road (城市快速路) is classified as an extremely dangerous violation and incurs a 12-point deduction.
5Under MPS Order No. 163, what penalty point deduction is assessed when a person drives a motor vehicle that does not correspond to their permitted vehicle category (驾驶与准驾车型不符的机动车)?
A.3 points
B.6 points
C.9 points
D.12 points
Explanation: Article 9(5) of MPS Order No. 163 records 9 points for driving a motor vehicle that does not match the permitted vehicle categories (准驾车型) on the licence — for example holding only a C1 licence and driving a large coach or heavy truck. This is one of the offences the 2022 reform deliberately moved down from 12 points into the newly created 9-point tier, so answers based on the pre-2022 schedule are now wrong.
6A small passenger car is driven on an expressway at a speed exceeding the statutory speed limit by 55%. Under MPS Order No. 163, what is the penalty point deduction?
A.6 points
B.9 points
C.12 points
D.3 points
Explanation: Article 8(5) of MPS Order No. 163 records 12 points where a vehicle other than a school bus, medium-and-above passenger/goods vehicle or dangerous-goods vehicle exceeds the limit by 50% or more on an expressway or urban elevated road. Article 10(3) records 6 points for the 20%-to-50% band on those roads, and under the 2022 schedule a car exceeding the limit by less than 20% on an expressway attracts no points at all.
7Under the 2022 scoring management rules (MPS Order No. 163), what is the penalty for illegally stopping a motor vehicle on an expressway or urban elevated road (在高速公路或者城市快速路上违法停车)?
A.12 points
B.6 points
C.9 points
D.3 points
Explanation: Under Article 9 of MPS Order No. 163, stopping a motor vehicle illegally on the carriageway or shoulder of an expressway (高速公路) or urban elevated road (城市快速路) incurs a 9-point deduction. Under the 2022 revised regulations, this violation was adjusted from 6 points to 9 points to enhance expressway safety.
8If a driver operates a motor vehicle on a public road without displaying a license plate, or intentionally conceals or defaces the vehicle license plate (驾驶未悬挂号牌或者故意遮挡、污损号牌), what penalty point deduction is imposed under MPS Order No. 163?
A.12 points
B.6 points
C.9 points
D.3 points
Explanation: Under Article 9 of MPS Order No. 163, driving a motor vehicle without mounting the license plate as required, or intentionally concealing (故意遮挡) or defacing (污损) the plate, results in a 9-point penalty deduction (reduced from 12 points under older pre-2022 rules).
9A small passenger car travels at 110 km/h on a national highway (non-expressway) with a posted speed limit of 70 km/h (exceeding the speed limit by over 57%). Under MPS Order No. 163, how many points are deducted?
A.9 points
B.12 points
C.6 points
D.3 points
Explanation: MPS Order No. 163 grades speeding by both road type and vehicle type. A small passenger car counts as 其他机动车, so Article 10(3) records 6 points when it exceeds the limit by 50% or more on a road other than an expressway or urban elevated road. The 9-point tier in Article 9(2) is reserved for school buses, medium-and-above passenger/goods vehicles and dangerous-goods vehicles doing the same thing.
10Under MPS Order No. 163, what is the penalty point deduction for driving a motor vehicle through an intersection in violation of traffic signal lights (驾驶机动车违反道路交通信号灯通行 - running a red light)?
A.6 points
B.3 points
C.9 points
D.12 points
Explanation: Under Article 10 of MPS Order No. 163, violating traffic signal lights (e.g., entering an intersection on a steady red light) incurs a 6-point deduction along with a standard monetary fine of RMB 200 under Article 90 of the PRC Road Traffic Safety Law.

About the Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Exam

The China Motor Vehicle Driving License Subject 1 Examination (全国机动车驾驶人科目一考试) is the mandatory statutory theory examination required to obtain a Class C1 (manual small passenger car) or Class C2 (automatic small passenger car) driver's license in the People's Republic of China. Administered by local Vehicle Administration Offices (车管所) under the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the exam evaluates comprehensive understanding of the PRC Road Traffic Safety Law, the 2022 MPS Order No. 162 and Order No. 163 penalty point scoring rules (12, 9, 6, 3, 1 point deductions), road signs and markings (GB 5768), traffic police hand signals, right-of-way and speed limits, safe driving in complex conditions, and vehicle dashboard instruments and emergency reactions. The test is administered on computer workstations in official exam centers and is officially conducted in Chinese (with official translations in select major cities). This practice question bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation designed to help international applicants, expatriates, and bilingual learners master the official syllabus.

Assessment

Single computerized paper comprising 100 questions covering: Traffic Laws, Regulations and MPS Scoring Rules (~30%); Traffic Signs, Markings and Police Hand Signals (~25%); Safe and Civilized Driving Fundamentals (~25%); and Motor Vehicle Controls, Dashboard Indicators and Emergency Handling (~20%).

Time Limit

45 minutes

Passing Score

90% (90 out of 100 points)

Exam Fee

Provincially set within the national ceilings in 发改价格〔2004〕2831号 — Jiangsu, for example, caps the Subject 1 theory sitting at RMB 30 per attempt (Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of the PRC (公安部交通管理局))

Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Exam Content Outline

30%

Road Traffic Laws, MPS Regulations & Scoring Rules (道路交通安全法律、法规和规章)

PRC Road Traffic Safety Law, Regulations for Implementation, MPS Order No. 162 (license application, renewal cycles of 6-year, 10-year, and permanent, 12-month probation period rules 实习期, information change notifications within 30 days, renewal window within 90 days), MPS Order No. 163 (2022 penalty point scoring system: 12, 9, 6, 3, 1 point tiers), driver disqualifications, and statutory bans (1-year cheating ban, 3-year deception ban, 5-year drunk driving ban, lifetime hit-and-run crime ban)

25%

Traffic Signs, Road Markings & Police Signals (道路交通信号及其含义)

National Standard GB 5768 road signs (yellow warning triangles, red circular prohibition/regulatory signs, blue mandatory/instruction signs, green expressway guide signs), pavement markings (single/double solid yellow dividing lines, broken white lane lines, yellow grid box junctions 网状线, diamond pedestrian warning markings, tidal/reversible lanes, yield triangles), traffic lights (circular signals vs directional arrows, flashing yellow), and 8 statutory traffic police hand gestures (stop, go straight, left turn, left turn waiting, right turn, lane change, slow down, pull over)

25%

Safe Driving Fundamentals, Speed Limits & Priority Rules (安全行车、文明驾驶基础知识)

Statutory speed limits (urban roads without lines 30 km/h, with center line 50 km/h; non-urban roads without lines 40 km/h, with center line 70 km/h; expressway max 120 km/h, min 60 km/h; multi-lane expressway minimum lane speeds), visibility-speed-distance rules (200m/60km/100m, 100m/40km/50m, 50m/20km/exit), breakdown warning triangle distances (50–100m on ordinary roads, ≥150m on expressways), prohibited parking distances (50m for intersections/tunnels/curves, 30m for bus stops/fire stations), intersection right-of-way (straight over turn, right turn yields to left turn, yield to right-hand approaching vehicle, roundabout yield), mountain road passing, and night lighting rules

20%

Cockpit Controls, Instruments & Emergency Handling (机动车操纵机构、仪表与应急处置)

Dashboard warning lights (red oil pressure, red engine coolant overheating, red brake system failure / parking brake, yellow TPMS tire pressure monitoring, red battery charging fault, yellow engine MIL, SRS airbag warning), high beam (blue) vs low beam (green) indicators, front vs rear fog lights, wiper defroster controls, ABS anti-lock braking principles, seatbelt usage, tire blowout response (firm steering grip, release accelerator, no panic braking), brake failure downshifting (抢挡), skidding correction, vehicle wading rules, vehicle fire handling, and water submersion escape

How to Pass the Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 90% (90 out of 100 points)
  • Assessment: Single computerized paper comprising 100 questions covering: Traffic Laws, Regulations and MPS Scoring Rules (~30%); Traffic Signs, Markings and Police Hand Signals (~25%); Safe and Civilized Driving Fundamentals (~25%); and Motor Vehicle Controls, Dashboard Indicators and Emergency Handling (~20%).
  • Time limit: 45 minutes
  • Exam fee: Provincially set within the national ceilings in 发改价格〔2004〕2831号 — Jiangsu, for example, caps the Subject 1 theory sitting at RMB 30 per attempt

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Subject 1 (Small Car C1/C2) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the 2022 MPS Order 163 penalty point tiers: 12 points (drunk driving, hit-and-run without crime, forged plates, expressway wrong-way/reversing/U-turn, speeding ≥50% on expressways, driving wrong vehicle class); 9 points (expressway illegal parking, intentional plate obstruction/defacing); 6 points (running red light, emergency lane occupation, speeding 20%-50% on expressways); 3 points (phone use while driving, failing to yield at crosswalks, speeding 10%-20% on expressways, crossing solid lines); 1 point (not wearing seatbelts, improper turn signals, violating warning markings).
2Master statutory speed limits: No-center-line road = 30 km/h (urban) or 40 km/h (highway); single-lane-with-center-line = 50 km/h (urban) or 70 km/h (highway); adverse weather (fog/rain/snow/ice with visibility <50m), sharp turns, steep slopes, narrow bridges, or towing = max 30 km/h.
3Master expressway multi-lane speed rules: 2 lanes in same direction (Left ≥100 km/h, Right ≥60 km/h); 3 lanes (Leftmost ≥110 km/h, Middle ≥90 km/h, Rightmost ≥60 km/h); Maximum speed limit for small passenger cars is 120 km/h, minimum speed is 60 km/h.
4Remember expressway visibility rules ('261, 145, 520'): Visibility <200m -> Speed ≤60 km/h, distance ≥100m; Visibility <100m -> Speed ≤40 km/h, distance ≥50m; Visibility <50m -> Speed ≤20 km/h, exit expressway at nearest ramp immediately.
5Memorize breakdown triangle placement distances: 50–100 meters behind the vehicle on ordinary roads; at least 150 meters behind the vehicle on expressways.
6Remember parking restriction distances ('口五站三'): Within 50 meters of intersections, railway crossings, sharp curves, narrow roads (<4m), bridges, steep slopes, and tunnels; Within 30 meters of bus stops, first-aid stations, gas stations, and fire hydrants.
7Understand intersection right-of-way rules: Turning vehicles yield to straight-going vehicles (转弯让直行); Right-turning vehicles yield to left-turning vehicles (右转让左转); Yield to vehicles approaching from the right at uncontrolled intersections; Vehicles entering a roundabout yield to vehicles already inside.
8Learn dashboard warning lights: Red teapot = low oil pressure (stop immediately); Red thermometer in water = high coolant temperature; Red circle with '!' or 'P' = brake system fault / handbrake; Yellow horseshoe with '!' = TPMS tire pressure warning; Red battery = charging alternator malfunction.
9Remember emergency responses: Tire blowout = grip steering wheel firmly, release gas pedal, do NOT slam brakes; Vehicle skid = steer gently into the direction of the rear skid; Water wading = steady low gear, never restart engine if stalled in water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the China Driving Subject 1 Examination (科目一)?

Subject 1 is the official computer-based theoretical examination required for all motor vehicle driver license applicants in China. It tests knowledge of national traffic safety laws, the MPS penalty point scoring system, road signs and markings, right-of-way at intersections, speed limits, vehicle cockpit instruments, and emergency response procedures.

What is the passing score and time limit for Subject 1?

The exam consists of 100 questions to be answered in 45 minutes on a computer terminal. The passing score is 90% (90 out of 100 points). Each question is worth 1 point. If a candidate makes 11 mistakes, the computer automatically ends the exam immediately with a fail.

What is the penalty point cycle under MPS Order No. 163?

A driver license penalty point scoring cycle (记分周期) lasts exactly 12 months, starting from the date the license was first issued. The total allowance is 12 points. If a driver accumulates 12 points within a cycle, their license is temporarily detained, and they must attend mandatory traffic safety study and pass a Subject 1 theory test to clear the points and recover their license.

What are the rules during the driver probationary period (实习期)?

The first 12 months after obtaining a driver license is the probationary period (实习期). The driver must display a standardized 'Intern' (实习) sign on the rear of the vehicle. A probationary driver is prohibited from driving alone on expressways; they must be accompanied by an experienced driver sitting in the front passenger seat who has held an equal or higher class driver license for at least 3 years. Accumulating 12 points during probation results in cancellation of the probationary license category.

What are the key statutory ban periods for license applicants?

Commonly summarized in Chinese as '假一撤三醉五逃终生': Providing false information or cheating during an exam carries a 1-year ban; obtaining a license through bribery or deception results in revocation with a 3-year ban; drunk driving (醉驾) carries revocation with a 5-year ban; and causing a traffic accident that constitutes a crime and fleeing the scene (交通肇事逃逸构成犯罪) results in a lifetime permanent ban.