Learn the top 10 most common errors on a driving test and avoid these so you don't fail.
Top 10 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Driver's Test
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Introduction
- Not only can you fail your driver's test outright, but you can also accumulate enough points that you're not successful, and you don't pass.
Today we're going to give you the top 10 reasons for accumulating demerit points, and that way you won't do this, and you'll pass your driver's test, first time.
If you're the least bit unsure about your ability to pass a driver's test, take some driving lessons with a school.
Stick around, we'll be right back with that information.
#1) Shoulder Checking (Head Checks)
Number One.
the first reason that you will accumulate demerit points is because you're not shoulder checking when you're turning, or when you're moving the vehicle sideways.
And for the purposes of a driver's test, and to stay safe after you get your license, you have to shoulder check twice for every turn, maybe even three times, depending on how long you're at the corner when you're turning.
So, shoulder checking, I cannot emphasize that enough for the purposes of a driver's test.
You must shoulder check, two times for a turn, two times when you're moving the vehicle sideways.
There are 2 ways to fail a driver's test: 1) accumulate too many demerit points; 2) fail outright.
And if you're sitting at the intersection for a while, you may have to shoulder check again to look into your blind areas.
#2) Knowing the Difference Between 2- and 4-WAY STOPs
Number Two, is you don't know the difference between four way stops, and two way stops, and you don't know how to handle those two different stop sign configured intersections.
Four way stop sign intersection:
• First person to arrive;
• the person on the right, and then the other rules apply:
• Straight through traffic over turning traffic;
• and right turning traffic over left turning traffic.
Two way stop signed intersections:
• Major road over the minor road;
• and then straight through traffic over turning traffic;
• and right turning traffic over left turning traffic.
You must stop at the correct position at controlled intersections.
And for each one of these reasons why you will accumulate the demerits on a driver's test, look down in the description there, I'll put a link to all of the videos for the topics that I'm talking about and the reasons that you will accumulate demerits.
So second reason, four way stop signs and two way stop signed intersections.
#3) Stopping at the Correct Stopping Postion
Reason Number Three is connected to reason Number Two.
You don't know the correct stopping position at controlled intersections, or you don't get to that stopping position:
• which is before the stop line;
• before the crosswalk line;
• And if those two conditions don't exist, then it's at the edge of the road where the two roads meet.
If there isn't a STOP line, and there isn't a sidewalk, then stop just before entering the intersection.
Just before you enter the intersection.
How to Change Lanes Correctly to Pass Driver’s Test
#4) Changing Lanes Correctly With Correct Observation & Communication
If you don't have minimum two shoulder checks on a lane change, you are going to get demerits.
I would have gained demerits on that lane change, because I only had one shoulder check.
So you need two shoulder checks.
Correct procedure for changing lanes, mirror, signal, shoulder check.
The way is clear.
Improper procedure are one of the most common reasons that students accumulate demerit points on a driver's test.
Shoulder check again, and we move over.
And that vehicle in front of us is moving across so therefore we are able to keep our distance behind the vehicle, our safe following distance.
This video is made possible by the course package, "Pass Your Driver's Test, First Time."
Because we know that your driver's test is the most stressful day of your life.
And without some form of driver training your chances of passing are less than 50%.
As a bonus, we'll include both the defensive, and winter driving smart courses.
These will make you a safer, smarter driver, and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Click down in the description there, and get full details.
#5) You Must Signal When You Change Directions
Number Five, not signaling.
And often new drivers get dinged for not signaling when they're in parking lots.
So make sure that every time you turn, every time you move the vehicle sideways, or you leave a parking space, that you signal in the direction you're going to move the vehicle.
Both going forward and reversing, you must signal when changing the vehicle's direction.
So, for example, if you're at the DMV and the examiners told you to leave the parking space and go left, make sure you signal left.
As well, slow speed maneuvers, reversing, make sure that you signal in the direction that you're going to move the vehicle, because that will get you dinged as well.
Or you're moving around an object or something on the roadway, such as this recycling truck up here.
I need to signal to move left to get around the recycling truck, shoulder check, shoulder check again, move out into the other lane, into the other lane, and then shoulder check, signal back.
When you first show up to the DMV back into the parking space, unless signs prohibit it.
When you leave, if the examiner tells you to go left or right, whichever way you're going, signal in that direction.
For the duration of test you must maintain a 2 to 3 second following distance behind other traffic.
#6) Following Too Close And Not Managing Space Well
Number Six, following too close.
You're too close in a queue.
You're not stopping back, so you can see the tires of the vehicle in front of you making clear contact with the pavement.
If you get too close, even when the queue is moving up, you're too close to the vehicle in front of you.
You also have to maintain a 2-3 second following distance for the purposes of your driver's test.
If you wander in your lane and touch the lines on either side, you will be assigned 10 demerit points.
#7) You Must Have Good Lane Positioning
Reason Number Seven is incorrect lane positioning.
I have parked cars here, I need to move into the other lane.
I need to mirror, signal, shoulder check.
If you stay too close to those cars, that's incorrect lane positioning and you will accumulate demerits.
Same thing on the right hand turn here.
Shoulder check, and then move over to the right side of the lane, because you're going to turn right.
If you stay out in the center of the lane here, that's incorrect lane positioning and you will probably accumulate five demerit points.
When turning right move your vehicle to the right of the lane; when turning left, position the vehicle to the left of the lane.
So you want to move over to the right, so nobody sneaks up on the inside of you.
Lane positioning also includes staying in the center of your lane when you're driving forward.
If you hug one side of the lane or the other, you're going to accumulate demerits for that because you're not in the center of the lane.
If you touch that line, if you come over here and touch this fog line, as I just did, that's 10 points, at least, on a driver's test for touching that lane.
So you need to follow the other traffic look farther down the road, and make sure that you are centered in your lane and have good lane positioning for your driver's test.
#8) Lane Positioning When Turning
Reason Number Eight, incorrect position when turning.
For turning right, we want to be to the right side of the lane.
If you're to the left side of the lane when you're turning right, that's incorrect lane position.
The same as if you're turning left, and you're on the right side, you're going to be assigned demerits.
If you block a crosswalk while waiting to turn, you will be assigned major demerits on a driver's test.
If you're too deep in the intersection when making a left-hand turn, you're going to be assigned demerits again, or you could outright fail, depending on how critical of an error it is.
Blocking the crosswalk.
If I come up here, and I sit over the crosswalk like that, and I wait for traffic, I'm going to accumulate demerits.
#9) You’re Going Too Slow
My Grandmother is Passing Us With Her Walker
Reason Number Nine, too slow.
Being too namby pamby.
You must shoulder check left when turning or moving the vehicle to the left.
On your driver's test you need to, if you turn and you're getting it up to speed, get your foot into it, get it going.
If you just drive along, and you're going below the speed limit, five kilometers an hour, or five miles an hour below the speed limit, you are going to accumulate major demerits.
And if you do that throughout the duration of your test, you will most likely fail for being too namby-pamby.
In keeping with that, if you're turning and there's sufficient gap, and you don't go, again that's going to accumulate demerits.
#10) Reversing and Looking Out the Back Window
Number 10 on a driver's test, you must look out the rear window for the purposes of backing, and other slow speed maneuvers.
If you use your mirrors, or you use your backup camera, you will accumulate major demerits.
So, reversing along a curb, you have to be looking out the back window.
Even if you have a backup camera, you must look out through the back window when reversing.
You can use your mirrors, you can check them.
You can check a backup camera, but for the most, for the primary line of sight you have to be looking out the back window.
So you'd be backing, such as this, anytime that you're conducting slow speed maneuvers.
And as well, I accumulated five demerits there because I didn't do a 360 degree scan before I started.
So, 360 degree scan, looking around the vehicle, check your mirrors, check your backup camera, and then look out the rear window when you're backing up.
Bonus
2 Hands on the Steering Wheel Driver
The bonus for not accumulating demerits on your driver’s test.
You must have two hands on the steering wheel for the duration of your test.
You cannot drive for the duration of the test like this.
It looks cool in the movies, but you can't do this, because you will not pass your driver’s test.
You probably won't even get two blocks from the DMV, and they'll send you back to the DMV and say, you know, sorry you're here, but you didn't pass your driver's test.
For the duration of your driver's test, you must have 2 hands on the steering wheel.
We'll see you again, you can book another appointment inside.
So, two hands on the steering wheel for the duration of your driver's test.
It doesn't necessarily have to be 10 and 2, it can be 9 and 3, it could even be 8 and 4.
But this steering wheel I have in this vehicle is not conducive to 8 and 4, but you need to keep your hands on the outside of the steering wheel, and good steering wheel control.
As you're learning how to drive, and preparing for your driver's test.
And remember, pick the best answer, not necessarily the right answer.
Have a great day.
Bye now.
Hang on there one sec.
The thought of failing your driver's test is what keeps you up at night right now.
Click the link over here, check out the Smarter Driver Course package that guarantees that you will pass your driver's test the first time.
Click the link and check that out.
And have a great day.
All the best, bye now.
