Road Test  Useful Tips 

Observation:

  • Always check your blind spot /over your shoulder before signaling
  • Scan every intersection with a quick glance
  • Check mirrors every 3-5 seconds and after every turn
  • Pay attention to pedestrians and bicyclists
  • Also pay attention to all traffic signs
  • Use your peripheral vision
  • Look up the road as far as your eyes can see
Turns:
  • When turning, turn at the top of the steering wheel to get tighter turns
  • SLOW DOWN while turning (Max speed 25 KM/H)
  • When making a left turn, pull up then turn to avoid 45 degree left turn
  • Always check for R.O.W (right-of-way) before turning

Driving Along:

  • Always stay in the right lane unless it's a turning lane only
  • Obey the speed limit!
  • Do not straddle the white or yellow line
  • Do not brake suddenly, always brake gradually
  • Aim high

Parallel Parking:

  • Before making a parallel park, look ahead to see if the car is bigger than yours and how close it is to the curb
  • Slow down, signal right & blind spot check and either match up your right exterior mirror to the adjacent car or check if their tail light can be seen in your back triangle window
  • Look over both your shoulders
  • Put your car into Reverse
  • Turn the wheel 3 quarters (3/4th) to the right or point of signal
  • Let go of the brake slowly
  • Keep on checking over both shoulders
  • As soon as you can see the adjacent car's left taillight in the right part of your windshield stop
  • Then turn your steering wheel all the way to the opposite side
  • Look around once again
  • Keep looking while reversing
  • As soon as your car is in line with the car in front of you stop and recover the steering wheel twice the opposite side
  • Switch into Drive
  • Pull up (and if needed straighten) the car a little bit
  • Pull up the Parking brake
  • Put the car into Park

To get out of the parallel park:

  • Look back in both directions
  • Put your car into reverse and backup enough so you can see the parked car's tires in front of you
  • Stop the car, look over your shoulder, signal left
  • Turn your steering wheel 1 full turn towards the signal
  • Check again, start driving and recover the wheel
Back Parking:
  • Find the spot you are going to back up into using the ABC method
  • Make sure your car is straight
  • Signal and look around for other vehicles
  • Put the car into Reverse
  • Let go of the brake slowly and keep looking back while reversing
  • Once your car is in line with the guided lines in front of you (or when your car is completely straight) stop and turn your wheel 2 full turns in the opposite direction
  • Look back and reverse enough so that your car is in the parking space (check the guided lines beside you to check so you can be in the parking space properly)
  • Pull up the parking brake and put the car into Park
Uphill/Downhill Parking:
  • Find the spot you are going to park on the hill (observe to see if there is a curb or not)
  • Check over your shoulder, signal right and slow down
  • Drive up beside the right shoulder
  • Pull up the parking brake
  • Put the car into Park
  • Depending if you're uphill or downhill turn your wheels accordingly
    • Uphill (with curb) - Turn your steering wheel all the way (or partially) away from the curb
    • Downhill (with curb) - Turn your steering wheel all the way (or partially) toward the curb
* If there is no curb ALWAYS turn your steering wheel all the way (or partially) towards the shoulder of the road

Tips/Advice:

  • Don't be nervous (if you are nervous, the only solution is to use the "say & do" method)
  • Always observe for R.O.W and pedestrians
  • Always do as the examiner says
  • Stop at a stop sign for 3 seconds after a complete stop
Copyright for Dominion Driving Schools Nov, 2020