By James Rutter
All 50 states in the United States set minimum requirements for an individual to obtain a driver's license, including a requirement that new driver's pass a "road test" under the supervision of an examiner. These tests determine a new driver's ability to display skills such as parallel parking, safe lane changes and defensive driving techniques such as yielding at intersections. Candidates for a road test must have already acquired a "learner's permit," and some states require the completion of a driver's safety course. However, all drivers can benefit by following a number of tips for passing the road test.
Before You Go
1. Examine the lights and signals in your car to make sure that each works before you leave to take the road test. Before you can begin the road test, the examiner needs to see that your headlights, tail lights, brake lights and turn signals all function properly.
2. Practice driving for at least 50 hours under the direct supervision of a licensed driver. An examiner will accompany you on the road test; become comfortable with someone sitting in the front seat watching your driving performance. Before you take your road test, pull into an empty lot, and practice for an hour skills such as parking and using turn signals and mirrors.
3. Use the car you have practiced in the most. The steering, brakes, acceleration and transmission all feel and handle differently on different cars; also, the size of a car may determine how well you can parallel park it. Take the road test in a vehicle that you already feel comfortable driving and parking.
4. Master the skill of parallel parking before you take the road test. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, failing to parallel park properly can subtract enough points from your road test score to cause an automatic failure.
5. Know what the examiner and road test expects before you take the road test. Review any materials your state offers.
Taking the Test
1. Demonstrate skill in using your brakes. Come to a complete stop at every intersection without jamming on the brakes or coasting up to a stop sign. Always engage the parking brake whenever the examiner asks you to park the car or turn off the vehicle.
2. Display safe driving techniques. Use signals for all turns and lane changes, and check your mirrors regularly. Keep both hands on your steering wheel unless using one of them to engage the turn signal or gear shifter.
3. Drive defensively during the road test. Let pedestrians cross in front of your car at stop signs and give other vehicles the right of way at intersections. Have several car lengths of space between your car and another vehicle before changing lanes, and keep a similar distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
4. Stay within the speed limit without driving too slowly. The examiner needs to see that you can handle a vehicle under normal conditions and may subtract points if you drive too slowly.
Tips & Warnings
Turn off your cell phone, car stereo and any other potential distraction before you take the road test.
Before You Go
1. Examine the lights and signals in your car to make sure that each works before you leave to take the road test. Before you can begin the road test, the examiner needs to see that your headlights, tail lights, brake lights and turn signals all function properly.
2. Practice driving for at least 50 hours under the direct supervision of a licensed driver. An examiner will accompany you on the road test; become comfortable with someone sitting in the front seat watching your driving performance. Before you take your road test, pull into an empty lot, and practice for an hour skills such as parking and using turn signals and mirrors.
3. Use the car you have practiced in the most. The steering, brakes, acceleration and transmission all feel and handle differently on different cars; also, the size of a car may determine how well you can parallel park it. Take the road test in a vehicle that you already feel comfortable driving and parking.
4. Master the skill of parallel parking before you take the road test. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, failing to parallel park properly can subtract enough points from your road test score to cause an automatic failure.
5. Know what the examiner and road test expects before you take the road test. Review any materials your state offers.
Taking the Test
1. Demonstrate skill in using your brakes. Come to a complete stop at every intersection without jamming on the brakes or coasting up to a stop sign. Always engage the parking brake whenever the examiner asks you to park the car or turn off the vehicle.
2. Display safe driving techniques. Use signals for all turns and lane changes, and check your mirrors regularly. Keep both hands on your steering wheel unless using one of them to engage the turn signal or gear shifter.
3. Drive defensively during the road test. Let pedestrians cross in front of your car at stop signs and give other vehicles the right of way at intersections. Have several car lengths of space between your car and another vehicle before changing lanes, and keep a similar distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you.
4. Stay within the speed limit without driving too slowly. The examiner needs to see that you can handle a vehicle under normal conditions and may subtract points if you drive too slowly.
Tips & Warnings
Turn off your cell phone, car stereo and any other potential distraction before you take the road test.
Recommended Road Test Guides
We recommend the complete Step-by-step Road Test Guide Instructions & Video Lessons at www.GetReadyToPass.bizz.cc
We recommend the complete Step-by-step Road Test Guide Instructions & Video Lessons at www.GetReadyToPass.bizz.cc
