7 Most Common Mistakes Drivers Make During Their BC Road Test
You’re finally at the last step of getting your license: the driving test. While you must already be feeling confident after completing all your classes, new drivers still make small mistakes that keep them from passing the government test. Check out the most common ones, so you know what to avoid during your test.
Unsafe Vehicle
If you’re going to bring your own car, you are required to bring a safe vehicle under the ICBC guidelines. Before you start, the road test staff will be checking your windshield, seatbelts, lights, tires, and horns. They will be also checking for illegal modifications done. Make sure that there are no cracks or malfunctioning parts.
Rolling Stops
One of the biggest mistakes made is when the driver doesn’t make a complete stop during a stop line. What a lot of drivers do is slow down and watch for other cars before accelerating again. This practice is discouraged because it can be dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists. You have to make sure that there is no more forward momentum when you stop behind the line.
Improper Lane Changes
When switching lanes, new drivers make a lot of mistakes such as forgetting to signal or not checking their mirrors. Always check your blind spots and maintain speed when changing lanes. Another thing to remember is your road markings and which ones allow your change lanes.
Distracted Driving
Turn off your phone and keep the stereo low when taking your exam. Show your examiner that your full attention is on the road. One habit that shows you are being attentive is always checking your mirrors, even if there aren’t that many vehicles on the road.
Uncertainty at Four-Way Stops
A lot of new drivers get flustered or confused with what to do in a four-way stop. The best practice is to stop and observe the other driver’s actions. The right of way states that the first drive to arrive at the intersection gets to pass first. When you both arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first. However, remain alert and keep watch of the other drivers even when it’s your turn.
Parallel Parking
Even experienced drivers have a hard time with parallel parking, so always practice this one in your own free time. At the very least, make sure you don’t run over the curb or hit the cars around you. Don’t forget your signals when parking as well.
Driving Speed
Both driving too fast and too slow are common mistakes by students. Both of them can cause unsafe driving conditions, so be sure to keep track of your speedometer. Your safest bet is to drive just below the speed limit. It shows that you are confident but not reckless.
With our new driver programs, we offer a review session and a mock exam, so you can address these habits before you take your road test. We also let students use our cars during their exam to prevent the first mistake on this list from happening.