Between a driving trainee and the driving license lies the driving test, which is the last hurdle to the highway. Getting this green life in New York City is not that difficult if you have trained well.
However, sometimes people fail the driving test not because they forgot the lessons, but because they overlooked some seemingly minor procedures. That’s why the only way to pass the driving test is to prepare for the test.
Did you know that 60% of would-be drivers fail the driving test on their first attempt? That is an alarming number. Now, the examiners are not so strict that every mistake you make is recorded. It just that, well, some mistakes are so outrageous they can’t overlook them for your (and other road users’) safety.
In short, they deny you the license to save you from yourself. Some mistakes are forgiven and forgotten, but serious ones are penalized until you have too fewer points to qualify for a driving license.
As you prepare for the test, these tips should help you avoid the most common mistakes on the driving test:
1. Turning Up With a Faulty Car
Even before you take the test, the car you bring for the test can put the examiner in an awful mood that may, unfortunately, influence everything. There are requirements for a driving test car that you have to comply with, so do not turn up with just any car.
For instance, ensure the seat belts, windshield and mirrors are at their best.
2. Not Ensuring Everything is in Order
Another secret to NYS road test scoring is to act like a pro where necessary. You might have turned up with a car in good condition, but then you forget to buckle in, set the rear-view mirror in a comfortable position, or adjust the seat.
These are small mistakes, but an examiner will note them and, added to other mistakes, they will weigh down your chances of passing the test.
So once you are instructed to start the car, casually take the time to ensure everything is in place, like you are used to checking them. Do not assume all you have to do is prove that you can drive. If the position of the mirror won’t let you see the blind spots, then your good driving skills wouldn’t save you from an accident.
3. Letting Anxiety Take Charge
Some good would-be drivers fail the test out of fear. They sweat, tremble, get confused and forget everything they should do or not do.
Once you start driving, you should not let fear take control of you to the point you lose sight of what is ahead. It is normal to be quite anxious for a showdown, such as a driving test, but let not the anxiety get into your head.
Relax your nerves, take a deep breath, take it easy and apply the lessons you have been practising. Give the test the seriousness it deserves but the fear of failure should not make push you to actually fail, thus self-fulfilling your prophecy.
4. Forgetting the Rear-View Mirrors
Being active or alert all the time is another secret to NYS road test scoring. Driving is multitasking; it is not all about moving the car from one point to another. You should look behind as much as you look ahead. It is easy to get lost on what is ahead to the point you forget the rear-view mirror.
The examiner would want to check if you glance the rear-view mirror regularly enough and whenever you want to turn or change lane. Just follow the protocol even if you are sure the coast is clear.
Also, many would-be drivers overlook the need to lay the tail-lights before making the turns or stopping, forgetting the examiner is there to check these details.
When you are asked to change a lane, turn on the tail-lights, glance the rare-view, check your blind spot, then change lanes if all is clear. However, do not change lane when passing through an intersection no matter what. It doesn’t matter that the lane is clear. Hold on until you are past an intersection.
5. Ignoring the Traffic Signals
Out of confusion, many trainers ignore or disrespect the traffic signals, especially the Stop and Yield signs. They do not brake at the Stop signal or slow down at the Yield sign.
6. Braking Abruptly
Out of anxiety, many trainers stop abruptly where gradual braking could work best. Make sure you have driven your test car prior to the DMV test so that you understand the condition of the brakes, that is, how hard or soft they are. The only time hard, abrupt braking is permitted is in an emergency.
If you are to slow down or stop for reasons other than an emergency, you should apply just enough force on the brake. Do not jerk off the examiner.
7. One-Touch Driving
Some trainers are so overconfident that they go out of their way to prove to the examiner that they are not anxious at all, and what a better way to do it than one-handed driving.
If you want to pass your road test, avoid theatrics and keep both hands on the wheel.
8. Indecision at Four-Way Stops
Everything could be going right up to the four-way stop after which many trainers simply get confused, especially when they find other cars waiting. They either jump forward or are reluctant to move ahead when it’s their turn.
If you arrive at the intersection at the same time as another car, only go first if you are on the right. The other time you should go first is if you arrived first.
9. Driving Too Slowly or Too Fast
There are people who, out of the need to be overcautious, drive almost inch by inch to avoid mistakes. It is a mistake to drive too slowly during your DMV test, even if there is no car behind. It is dangerous, contrary to what some people think.
The only time you can be excused is if there is a thick fog, heavy rain, an accident ahead or the road sign indicates you should slow down considerably.
On the other hand, some overzealous examinees actually speed to show how confident they are. This can be counterproductive, so maintain just the right pace. Watch out for the signs so that you set the appropriate speed limit depending on which zone you are. When you drive near a school, game park, etc., set the right speed.
The same applies when you turn a corner, enter a roundabout or exit a fast lane.
10. Not Respecting the Pedestrians
Another mistake is not showing pedestrians enough respect. The pedestrians are also road users, so do not ignore them. As you approach the zebra crossing, slow down, then stop if there are pedestrians about to cross. Have an eye on the crosswalks too; you never know what some drunk or crazy pedestrian might do next.
11. Miscalculating the Space when Parking
After the little mistakes in the road test, parking could be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. Once the would-be driver has miscalculated the space, he makes the wrong moves that cancel many of the good points he had acquired.
The way out of this is to practice how to park before the actual test. You simply cannot learn how to park during the test.
Wrap Up
Once you have known what mistakes to avoid, it is easy to celebrate the NYS road test scoring. It is like sitting for an exam you had already seen, hence the answers are on your fingertips.
What Should I Do The Night Before My Driving Test?
Ensure you have all the necessary documents. One is your provisional license. The others are the invitation to the driving test and the theory test certificate.
Take the time to check if the details are clear on these documents. Also, check the details about the location of the road test, date and time, just to be double-sure.
With everything in place, have a sound sleep.
Can I Pass Driving Test Without Lessons?
You can actually pass your driving test without lessons. It is not a requirement that you take the driving lessons before taking the test. You can learn how to drive on your own, as some people have, through the help of friends or family members.
But to increase your chances of passing the driving test to be qualified for the driving license, you should engage a certified instructor to take through what to expect during the test.