As much as getting a driving license is a life-changing experience, it has its fair share of tests. To get a driver’s license, your ability to operate a vehicle is assessed precisely and confidently. And the results are finalized by driving laws. The examiner will evaluate your control skills in various driving situations. Fortunately, you are in the right place to know what you will be expecting.
What to Expect on the New York Road Test
1. ‘Show me,’ ‘Tell me’ questions
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The questions are 19, but your examiner has 12 possible combinations to ask you on your test. A wrong answer equals one driving fault. Swatting up on the possible questions is a good idea just before the New York road test. Some of the questions likely to be asked include
- Turning on the windshield wipers
- Activating the turn signals
- Turning on the emergency flashers
- Setting the parking brake
- How to demist the front windshield
- How to operate the horn
- How to switch on the headlights
- How to clean the rear windshield
- How to set the rear demister
- How to open and close the side window
- How tire pressure should be checked
2. To showcase your driving ability
Your examiner will allocate you a test route that you will drive and only pass that test when you finish safely back at the test center. Therefore, getting to know the path before your test is a great start to passing your test. Some of the driving skills that your examiner will consider include:
- Avoid crossing solid lines. This can lead to an automatic road fail.
- Whether you are paying attention to road signs, which is important when driving. On most tests, driving through intersections is considered ideal since they have more signs to be tested on
- Making sure there is enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Meaning, you can see the tires of that vehicle.
- Paying attention to who arrives first at a four-way stop
- Always staying on the right lane
- Not forgetting the purpose of your horn
- If you are constantly watching speed signs and observing them adhere.
When performing these skills, your examiner will note whether you are lawfully and safely handling your car.
3. Reversing your Vehicle
During a driving test, when reversing, be extra careful not to mess with other cars since backing up is very crucial. You will be asked to perform one of the following maneuvers by your examiner
- Parallel Parking uses the hydraulic pump and the spare tire to guide the car into the parking lot and also turn the car into a complete circle. The only place to use parallel parking is between two curbs parallel to the road or when you want to stop by the mall.
- Reversing around 2 car lengths after pulling up on the right-hand side of the road and then rejoining traffic.
- Parking in a parking lot
- Straight-line backing is a fundamental maneuver that entails reversing in a straight line over a distance.
4. If you are paying attention to the blind spots
A blind spot is anywhere your mirror can’t pick up images. Critical as it sounds, the blind spot involves looking in a mirror and over your shoulders. To be safe and sure of the direction you want your car to head.
As much as your mirrors are essential to signaling what is beside and behind you, there comes some scenarios when a car overtakes you in the opposite lane you are unable to see. In this case, peripheral vision must be completely utilized to know whether it’s safe or not to change lanes. The key blind spots are
- Over the right shoulder
- The rearview mirror
- Right-wing mirror
- Over the left shoulder
- The left-wing mirror
5. Pulling over
As simple as it sounds, pulling over needs much more focus. Your examiner will ask you to pull up to the right, leaving the decision of where to park up to you. You will also be asked to pull out from behind a parked car.
Pulling out is trickier because you can’t control how the other drivers park their cars. So it’s up to you to ensure you find a way when sandwiched between two vehicles.
Another test under this is parking your car on a steep road. Therefore, knowing the procedure is vital before taking the test.
6. Accelerating and braking on your New York road test
As silence is integral to a conversation, braking is important in driving. And the points of breaking will be determined by how you accelerate your car. How you use the pedals to drive smoothly?
To achieve this, you need enough time, which is more vital than driving in a knee-jerky way to get the amount of space required to use.
7. Inspection of your vehicle
Your examiner must check if your vehicle is safe to drive in. The car you bring to your DMV road test must meet all the safety requirements.
- The windshield should have no cracks to provide an adequate field of vision
- Taillights, headlights, and turn signals must function properly
- Tires must be in good condition
- Learner or ‘L’ sign must be, engraved on the rear window
Also, cleaning the car and ensuring nothing will slide around and endanger you while driving is crucial. Your vehicle’s visibility must be top-notch by making the windows clean. If the motor is unfit to be driven, the examiner will cancel the rest of the rest. Therefore, make sure that the car you are using is in good condition.
Wrapping up
Anxiety is a common trait experienced by everyone taking the NY road test. The pressure can be overwhelming when you watch your examiner enter the vehicle and order you to drive while
constantly noting something down. Having illustrated what to expect on a road test, taking it will be much easier than before.