Road Test Prep & Practice

Oh man.  It’s today.  Your palms are sweaty and your face just broke out because you’re so stressed. You get to drive with a complete stranger, watching your every move and judging you to see if you are worthy of a drivers license.  Oh man, oh man, oh man.
Hey, don’t worry.  You can do this!

The road test is the last hurdle you’ll have to clear to get your driver’s license. The testing officer will ride with you in your vehicle and will assess the skills you’ve learned and practiced. It can be nerve-wracking, sure,  but if you’ve studied carefully and practiced sufficiently you should be well prepared for this. And no, it’s not a good idea to bring your Rules of the Road pamphlet with you for quick, easy reference during the test, even though you really want to. Reading during driving is discouraged.

Your examiner will go through a short routine before you hit the road, making sure that your signals and brake lights are working properly. Double-check these before you leave home. This would be a bad time to find out that your rear tail light is busted so you have to reschedule.

Once you’re under way remember to use your signals at all appropriate times. You will also likely be asked to use hand signals to ascertain whether you know how to use them if your turn signals don’t work.  Always be certain the hand signals you use with other drivers are the ones in the book. And breathe.  Remember to breathe.

Your examiner will ask you to do routine maneuvers such as changing lanes and merging with other traffic. Use your rear-view mirrors and look over your shoulder when doing these. Show the examiner that you’re aware of the traffic around you. Stay within the speed limit at all times and listen carefully to his instructions. This is not a good time to answer your cell phone if it rings; in fact you should turn it off or leave it home altogether.

Be aware of all traffic signs and obey them. Come to complete stops at stop signs and know the routine for four-way stops. Keep in mind that most people have forgotten how to navigate these, and you must still be careful even if you have the proper responses down pat and it’s your turn to go first at a stop sign.

Parallel parking is traditionally the hardest part of the test. You can perfect your parallel parking by setting up cardboard boxes in a deserted parking lot somewhere and practicing until you can do these with your eyes closed. Remember to open them for the actual test.

During the exam you’ll have to demonstrate that you can back up, do a three-point turn, and park correctly on a hill. Before you know it your test will be over and you will have earned your driver’s license. Congratulations! Celebrate your achievement, but remember that it’s harder to get your license back than it is to earn it in the first place. Keep your record clean and clear of points and you will never have to go through this again... until you are seventy years old.