Man, down here in Texas, I didnt have to take a test in the car. They sat me down at a computer and asked me 10 questions. Then I got my license. Good luck on your test!

 

You might need to know your hand signals, too. They generally do that first thing. They didn't have me do anything else except my turn signals to make sure they worked.


On my driver's test, I'd never parallel parked. My first time parallel parking was on my test and I passed.

 

no wonder why the drivers here suck.

(I took my driving tests in PA)

You need to take a drivers ed. course, then take a 15 question test to get your permit.

Then drive 20 hours with a parent, then you can take the in car driving test.

 

- parallel parking - I hate parallel parking, but I find it easy to do with the xA, remeber that you have no ___! So you can back it all the way up! and I'd practice with like a trash can to see how close you can get to it when going forward and just try to find some point of reference.

- uphill & downhill parking - I didn't have any hills so to speak, so this wasn't on the test.

- 3 point turn - Can't remember if it was... but just remember the "no ___" thing and 3-point turns are easy, try to be smooth, not quick.

- merging (I'm guessing this is in the freeway? whoever gets first gets right of way, right?) - I didn't do the freeway portion (even though there was a freeway next to the DMV), but honestly... it's who ever is faster! haha... but generally I think it is first come, first serve... but in this case, if the other guy gets there second, but steps on it, let him go.

- Speed limits - If youre in a neighborhood, keep it at 25 and generally around 35-40 anywhere else (unless it's posted lower/higher).

- Any interior operation checks (i.e. "turn on your head lights," or "work your rear wiper")? - Yes, in my test they'll just ask you where something is, and you just point to it.

Also when changing lanes, make sure to look over your shoulder, they'll look for that. As well as signaling. I didn't signal when parallell parking, in and out, and he commented on that.

 

Almost aced my driving test many moons ago. Instructor took points off for two issues, just so I didn't get a perfect score.

First: performed an emergency stop at the instructor's command, given while in the midst of changing lanes (also at his command.) He then instructed me to back straight for 30 feet. I asked if he wanted me to follow the angle I was currently on or adjust parallel to the curb. "Can't advise you." So I straightened it out and he took off points. Bastige!

Second: there was 2" of fresh, undisturbed snow on the isolated testing grounds. After being told to move from the second lane to the middle lane of a street with 3 lanes in each direction, he later informed me that I lost points for failing to stay centered in my lane. I knew I had easily passed, so I showed a bit of cojone: "I know it's difficult to be sure I was in my lane in the middle of a 60 foot wide street, so just how were YOU sure that I wasn't???"

No comment from the smug little weenie, so I really showed him by acing the written test.

 

To build on what others have said:

The night before, consciously go through imaginary driving before you fall asleep. Even if you imagine doing things wrong, studies show that imagination excercises will improve your performance, even if just by a small amount.

Turn your radio off before you arrive for your test. If it is blasting when you start the car with the instructor, you may have just lost the benefit of the doubt with him.

Even if you've already adjusted your car's mirrors and seat, make a point of looking and checking closely and OBVIOUSLY in your mirrors and leg reach to verify for the instructor that they're adjusted.

Buckle up and lock the doors BEFORE starting the engine. Ask the instructor to buckle up and lock up, preferably before he starts doing so. Make a point to OBVIOUSLY check that the car is in Park (auto) or Neutral (manual) BEFORE starting the engine. Foot on the brake pedal (other on clutch for manual) BEFORE turning the key.

When looking both ways, make OBVIOUS head movements. Practice doing these obvious movements before taking the test. While the instructor will most certainly realize that most people will not do so under normal, non-test driving, he is noting that you have worked hard enough to know what he expects.

 

Okay, I have an automatic so would I start the ignition key first before stepping on the break pedal? Because it wouldn't make sense to step on the break pedal without turning the ignition first, right?

 

Foot on the brake to start the car in an automatic.

 

Yeah, ALWAYS step on the break BEFORE starting the car.

Let me tell you why...

A few years ago when helping close down a store I used to work at this old couple flew down the parking lot and crashed into a light pole. Why? Because the old lady stepped on the GAS instead of the BRAKE.

So, just as a tip, always make sure before starting the car, to press that brake! and then start the car.

 

Wow. Oops.

 

Well, I just had my driving test earlier today. Unfortunately I failed. Overall the instructor thought I was a good driver but there was one instance where I forgot to glance over my blind spot for a lane change and one instance of the instructor intervening when he had to tell me to go because it was my right of way. My over all score wasa DQ. Was I disqualified or something?

 

I have no idea what DQ means.

Sorry you failed, but you'll at least know what to expect next time. I was one of the few of my friends to ace it on the first try and a LOT of that had to do with the fact that I took the test on my own car at the time which was a manual. For some reason that makes a big difference - probably because they don't see a lot of young people that can drive one well.

 

If you come to NC just act like you don't know any english and you'll walk right out with a license. FIL had a stroke some years back and spent nearly a $1000 on drivers trainer, $100/hr., and had his gas pedal moved to the left side of the brake, $285. They failed him because he moved his right foot around. A person walked in and had her address written down on a piece of paper, spoke no english and walked out with her license after her road test. I don't have any idea how she's suppose to read road signs.

 

DQ means did not qualify because you didn't obtain the minimum score. If you had, the instructor would have said that you qualified and then instructed you on anything you may need instructing on.

But I didn't pass my first time either. I passed the second time because I learned from the mistakes on my first one. So.. just remember what you did, what you need to change.. and don't forget what you did right, either!


What do you mean? I don't understand. And ny dad had a stroke in 93 and they thought about moving the pedal so he could drive, but in the end figured it wasn't worth it. He was a cop before his stroke. He had a second stroke in 98 also. And that's messed up about the woman who couldn't speak a lick of English. Nothing in this country is equal. One guy gets 5 for attempted murder, yet another guy gets 10 just for the conspiracy. It's messed up. Maybe she freaked the instructor out so bad that he had to give it to her in fear of losing his head? Aaaah.


Anyway! You should be just fine next time.. not to mention you know the course (be it reversed or not.. or at least you know what to expect). Good luck!

 

Sorry you didnt pass. Sounds like you're not too far off though. Sometimes it just depends on what instructor you get. For me, the third time was the charm.

 

Also, if you get to choose when to take your test, take it in the morning. Preferably after 9 and before 12. This way, they had their break so they are a bit more relaxed, and its not as if they are trying to hurry things along so they can have their lunch. Try to get them when they are comfortable and they will be a bit easier to work with.

 

Not to mention their moods and tempers will be good and low because you'll be some of their first drivers of the day.

 

How many points exactly do you need to get to qualify? And how many mistakes? My friend says the limit is 3 mistakes. But I remember making only two mistakes... one that involved instructor's intervention.

 

Actually, the most mistakes you can miss is 15. If you check your evaluation sheet, it should let you know what you did wrong and what you can improve on it. But don't worry, I miss on my first time even though I already knew the routes (I had a trainer to show me the routes of the test). It all depends on the situation of that day. If you're lucky, you'll get an easy test, if you're not, you'll end up with some annoying drivers on the road screwing you over.

My first test, I accidently hit the curb when I try to get through these cars to make a right turn. Plus I was driving someone else car so I wasn't used to it so I didn't pass. The second time, I only miss 6 which isn't bad at all.

Also! One thing, when you drive back to the DMV, make sure you're going 10mph. I was written up for that cause I was going 17mph in the parking area >_<

 

It's 80 or 85 to pass, I can't remember. Also depends on the state. It's not the number of mistakes because each section of the test is worth a certain amount of points.. though I suppose if you made 3 horrible mistakes you'd fail..


Did you know there isn't a speed limit for parking lots in most states? Surely common sense would tell you not to go 30 or something.. and if you're being reckless, you could get in trouble.. but there's no real law in a lot of places.