Help - Search - Members - Calendar
Full Version: Dmv Driving Test Tips And Help
soompi forums > soompi interests > cars
Pages: 1, 2
LozloPengo
Hi im 19 and I will be taking my first behind the wheel test next week in the California, Newhall DMV..does anyone have any tips and info I can have? i really wanna pass first try..and can you guys tell me the experiences you had? and if you passed first try or not? and has anyone been to the newhall dmv? thanks alot
OMGHIyori2U
#1 single most important tip: Relax

If you've had practice in driving before through instruction and are comfortable with driving, if you relax, you should have no problem passing the test.
twix0rz
I am taking my driving test on 8/14 and i am 18. XD Good luck to you.
From my friends who passed they all said to check your mirrors/blind spots like crazy and definitely no speeding.

Are you good at parallel parking? I keep on hitting the curb or parking 12 inches + away from the curb. D:
LozloPengo
QUOTE (twix0rz @ Aug 9 2009, 08:15 PM) *
I am taking my driving test on 8/14 and i am 18. XD Good luck to you.
From my friends who passed they all said to check your mirrors/blind spots like crazy and definitely no speeding.

Are you good at parallel parking? I keep on hitting the curb or parking 12 inches + away from the curb. D:



yeah im pretty good at parallel parking i never hit a curb yet..my teacher sometimes says i parked it too close to the curb and i still manage to go reverse without any difficulty..when park i look at the side mirror alot but my teacher says to look in front while parking..but i cant see if my car is close to the curb or not haha..my permit expires on 8/29 and theres barely any room for appointments! but i got one at newhall..what about you? and good luck to you as well! also during the test if im on a road that is 35 mph and the other cars around me are going way over 35 should i go over as well and keep up with the flow of traffic or should i stay at 35 mph the whole time? also its ok to be going at around 33 mph instead of 35 right?because when im at 35 mph i tend to go over a little
90th.degree
QUOTE
mph and the other cars around me are going way over 35 should i go over as well and keep up with the flow of traffic or should i stay at 35 mph the whole time? also its ok to be going at around 33 mph instead of 35 right?because when im at 35 mph i tend to go over a little


DO NOT GO THEIR SPEED. YOU WILL FAIL IF YOU DO. Overspeeding is the number one cause of failures on roadtests. The evaluators will not care if you're under as long as you're at or under the speed limit and driving legally. That's what my instructor told me, and he also told me to work on my speed control as well. Once you pass, THEN you can go their speed.

I'll be going in for my road test on September 30th, and the evaluators in my city are either nice or the worst experience ever.
instantudon
16, and taking mine this 31st. =)

From what I heard, exaggerate everything you do. I'm in San Jose, CA. When you turn to check over the shoulder, turn a lot. Not just flick your head. My friend also said when she went through a 4-way with a green light for her, she got docked off points because she didn't look left or right. Apparently you have to watch out for reckless, red-light speeding drivers too.
twix0rz
QUOTE (LozloPengo @ Aug 9 2009, 11:22 PM) *
yeah im pretty good at parallel parking i never hit a curb yet..my teacher sometimes says i parked it too close to the curb and i still manage to go reverse without any difficulty..when park i look at the side mirror alot but my teacher says to look in front while parking..but i cant see if my car is close to the curb or not haha..my permit expires on 8/29 and theres barely any room for appointments! but i got one at newhall..what about you? and good luck to you as well! also during the test if im on a road that is 35 mph and the other cars around me are going way over 35 should i go over as well and keep up with the flow of traffic or should i stay at 35 mph the whole time? also its ok to be going at around 33 mph instead of 35 right?because when im at 35 mph i tend to go over a little

Ahh nice for not hitting the curb! I have horrible space judgement, all i see is the curb disappearing but i don't know how far to keep on reversing. I must practice more.
I live in Indiana so totally different place. Sorry about that. haha.
Just go 35 mph or lower. Do not go over ever!!

Keep us updated on how it went. I bet you will do great.
Clu3less
remember to signal for practically everything - 3 pt turn, turning, parking, leaving a parking spot. i was so nervous when i was taking mine that i didnt signal enough. i passed but the officer warned me about it.
Trinity <3
DON'T forget to look at your blind spots when you are turning right onto a dotted bike lane. You will fail because of it. Emphasize all your head turns, look in your mirrors.

If you are unsure of where the evaluator tells you to go, or you just need reassurance, do not be afraid to ask
greeenkiwi
Oh my best friend took it there! She told me they were nice and not too hard.

When I took it I was extremelyyyyy nervous. Like I could barely focus. I blame my mom for not letting me practice driving. When I took the test I had practiced under 5 times. -__- And to add to that, it rained that day. But I passed.. barely though. Haha.

Just be as confident as you can possibly be. Over exaggerate.. like turn your heads fully at stop signs, changing lanes, etc. TAKE YOUR TIME. Not too much though, but don't speed.. nor go extraa slow. Check mirrors constantly while driving. Often testers will not look at you while you drive. They tested so many people that it looks like they just look straight at all times.. but really they look at you from the corner of their eye. So that's why it's important to exaggerate your moves. Oh and make sure you know your hand signals (http://www.golocalnet.net/drive/handsigs.htm).

Practice the parking near curb and backing up thing that your instructor should have taught you. Look in all mirrors and signal! I guess that's the hardest part I suppose.
OMGHIyori2U
like others said, don't do things just because other cars are doing it.

If everybody's driving 35 mph in a 25 mph zone, stay under 25. If the evaluator looks over at your speedometer and you're past the speed limit, automatic fail.

Don't cut other cars because the evaluator asks u to change lanes. If you cut a car and he/she sees it, automatic fail.

Yellow light? Better to stop than to go through unless you're at what they call "point of no return." Otherwise, automatic fail if you're still in the intersection and it's red.

Pedestrian about to cross intersection? Yield, otherwise, automatic fail.

Hit something? Automatic fail

Cursing your evaluator for deducting points? Automatic fail.

Road rage? Automatic fail

Well you get the point. lol
Meenuh
Seriously just relax. If I can pass the driving test on the first try then anyone can. Rofl. I took my test in Downtown LA. The wait was super long but just remember everything that you learned while learning how to drive. Really exaggerate everything and check your mirrors constantly. I had points taken off for turning too slow. Rofl.
LozloPengo
oo thanks alot for the helps guys, so if the speed limit is 25 mph during the test is it ok if i go like 23 mph etc? because if im at 25 i tend to go up a little because im so busy concentrating on other things while driving..
redknight
I think it should be fine, 23 mph isn't that much slower than 25 mph. Its better to stay slightly below than trying to stay at speed limit if you know your speed won't steadily stay at speed limit. Actually, I think its better to stay slightly below in general haha. You may go over and not know if you're at speed limit.

If you plan to make a right turn in the far right lane at a red light, be sure to make a full stop behind the line before making your turn. I think people say you should wait 3 seconds before turning. If you can't see because cars are in your way, I believe you can creep up a bit but make a full stop before you turn. Also be sure to look out for people making u-turns.

Also, yeah I agree that you should over-emphasize your movements. Like Trinity <3 says, don't forget to look when turning near a dotted bike lane.
LozloPengo
o ok thanks alot for the tips again guys, i practiced parking today at a mall and when i was backing out of my parking spot my friend told me to straighten out my wheels while going reverse..but i never seen anyone do that i always saw them reverse and then switch gears to drive and THEN turn the wheels to straight..how do u guys do it? also i forgot to put the gear at drive when i pressed gas..i almost hit a car hehe
OMGHIyori2U
QUOTE (LozloPengo @ Aug 10 2009, 05:30 PM) *
o ok thanks alot for the tips again guys, i practiced parking today at a mall and when i was backing out of my parking spot my friend told me to straighten out my wheels while going reverse..but i never seen anyone do that i always saw them reverse and then switch gears to drive and THEN turn the wheels to straight..how do u guys do it? also i forgot to put the gear at drive when i pressed gas..i almost hit a car hehe


put car in gear then straighten or turn the wheel.
LozloPengo
oh ok, also when i park and go reverse during the test am i allowed to look at the side mirror? my friend told me ill get points taken off for looking at it while going on reverse
instantudon
^ I think looking in the side view mirrors are okay. As long as you put your arm on the other chair and turn your head too. Like:

http://www.driversedguru.com/wp-content/ga...acking%20Up.jpg

but more turned around. I think your friend meant that if you just use the side view mirrors to back out, then you get docked points.
LozloPengo
oh because when i was going on reverse i mainly had my face looking at the back but i turned my head a few times to look at the side mirror
vintageballad
Exaggerate when you check your mirrors and when you look left and right on the intersections, because sometimes when you don't, they're not gonna know if you looked or not.

QUOTE
im on a road that is 35 mph and the other cars around me are going way over 35 should i go over as well and keep up with the flow of traffic or should i stay at 35 mph the whole time?

lol, if you took the written test and got the question right... you should know that you should always go by the posted speed limit (or slower than), not the flow of the cars.

QUOTE
16, and taking mine this 31st. =)

Hey, me too! Haha.
instantudon
Nice VintageBallad.
What car are you taking the test in? I was paranoid since we only have a Tundra, and a CL55. Not that I couldn't take those but because the DMV where I'm taking it (Santa Teresa) has a rep for its testers to be annoyed and crabby at the slightest things so it may seem like I'm showing off. Luckily, I got my butt off and bought my first car. 3 summers of work. biggrin.gif
ohhlalakelly
All I gotta tell you is that you NEED to relax. You think it's a big deal and all, but it's actually really easy. Just drive at ease like you did by yourself/with your parents. Also, if the speed limit is 40MPH go around 35. When they ask you to park at the curb and back up, DO NOT move your steering wheel. Keep it straight so you don't hit the curb = automatic fail. then when they tell you to drive, REMEMBER TO SIGNAL, look to your right/left (depending which way you parked) then go.

I passed my first time. It was easy.
avietgirl
Well I took my test about a year and a half ago and I pass it on my first try....
You definitely need to relax and check you're mirror and check at the intersection too. Make sure you make those check obvious because they took points off of mine for not checking at the intersection.. which I did...
and keep checking your speed and make sure you are going within speed limit
binjoo
I failed my first time. Everyone says to relax, but don't be so relaxed or else you'll end up driving like me and fail. dry.gif

Drive like an old person. Not like crazy or anything, but drive at or slower than the posted speed limit and don't pay attention to how fast other cars are going. I was failed automatically for going 35 in a 25 zone.. dry.gif

Remember to always look behind you whenever you're reversing. I forgot this one a lot.

Always always signal. I forgot one signal and the guy lectured me on that.

Always check behind you and to the sides for traffic before you turn/back up/change lanes with your head and all that jazz. My mom basically told me to forget that you even have mirrors and to only check them when it's absolutely necessary. You don't want to be too dependent on your mirrors.

Good luck.
Trine29
I failed twice, ha ha. Both of the times were because I took the test in an area I didn't know very well. So if you don't, I'd ask your parent, or who ever is driving you to the exam, to go a couple of hours early and to drive in the area. At least in my state, the DMV's are usually in neighborhoods, so it's not too crowded. Just drive enough so that you feel comfortable where you are.
vintageballad
QUOTE (instantudon @ Aug 11 2009, 12:40 PM) *
Nice VintageBallad.
What car are you taking the test in? I was paranoid since we only have a Tundra, and a CL55. Not that I couldn't take those but because the DMV where I'm taking it (Santa Teresa) has a rep for its testers to be annoyed and crabby at the slightest things so it may seem like I'm showing off. Luckily, I got my butt off and bought my first car. 3 summers of work. biggrin.gif

Oh wow, that's ironic, because I'm using my dad's Tundra, LOL. He has an old Mercedes too, but it doesn't function too well, so I've been practicing on the Tundra ever since I got my permit.
And congratulations on getting your own car! Will you be driving that one for the test?
instantudon
QUOTE (vintageballad @ Aug 11 2009, 11:36 PM) *
Oh wow, that's ironic, because I'm using my dad's Tundra, LOL. He has an old Mercedes too, but it doesn't function too well, so I've been practicing on the Tundra ever since I got my permit.
And congratulations on getting your own car! Will you be driving that one for the test?


Haha, my dad's Tundra has a camper too. So to me, its a monster size. I can drive it fine but I don't want to risk it. :x

Yeah, I'll be using my car. I'll post up pictures after I wash it. biggrin.gif
vintageballad
QUOTE (instantudon @ Aug 12 2009, 12:56 AM) *
Haha, my dad's Tundra has a camper too. So to me, its a monster size. I can drive it fine but I don't want to risk it. :x

Yeah, I'll be using my car. I'll post up pictures after I wash it. biggrin.gif

I'm stuck with the Tundra. :S

I see, haha. What kinda car is it?
Hax
If you can talk about with the instructor about his Chinese wife and you are Chinese as well, then I think you are golden. That's what scored me my pass on the first try! He was a nice guy telling me about his Chinese wife. I think he noticed I was messing up a little because he was like "Oh, lets stop talking so you can focus on the road."
LozloPengo
QUOTE (Hax @ Aug 12 2009, 01:37 AM) *
If you can talk about with the instructor about his Chinese wife and you are Chinese as well, then I think you are golden. That's what scored me my pass on the first try! He was a nice guy telling me about his Chinese wife. I think he noticed I was messing up a little because he was like "Oh, lets stop talking so you can focus on the road."



lol so when i take my test should i start conversations with the instructor during my test?
Misao
haha i took my driver license test today at santa teresa annd it's my third time failing... gotta take the permit again this week and take the test again next week.. -__-
LozloPengo
QUOTE (Misao @ Aug 12 2009, 04:17 AM) *
haha i took my driver license test today at santa teresa annd it's my third time failing... gotta take the permit again this week and take the test again next week.. -__-


do u mind telling us what u messed up on? also good luck on the permit test and hopefully u pass next time smile.gif
432521
About talking to the instructor, okay I don't live in Cali I live in Texas and I didn't have to take a behind the wheel test I think that was done with our teachers that taught us for the 3 weeks. It is still the same though expect in your case you have on shot to pass or fail while for me I had 3 weeks of grades that she could average out. Okay back to the point, I think starting a conversation is a good thing, when I first started I was super scared and didn't talk at all and she would like sort of yell at me. About 3 days into class I got up the nerve and started a conversation with her about family, like how as an Asian family we live together in one big house and that my sister is moving out too, but just down the street. And she found it weird and started to talk about her family and how they all live in the same city but on opposite sides. We went on like this for the rest of my time there in the school, and I passed with flying colors and after we started talking she never yelled at me she just calmly told me stuff like " You have to work on your turns" after class in like a super friendly way. I think being able to talk to your instructor will be good because for one you will loosen up and two the instructor might be a little distracted or they might even overlook little mistakes.
Angxizzle
I live in SC but yeah I got mines first try at 16 lol SHOCKED. I was so nervous because a lot of ppl i knew didn't get it first try, but I practiced a bit before it. I went over it what to do in my head over and over for like a week before I took the test. Just practice enough so your comfortable on the road and doing what you wil be asked to do. the main thing is to drive like a VERY SAFE driver. like check your mirrors very often but not for more then 3 second stares. stuff to look out for my friends failed because of...go to the first line, look at mirrors and over the shoulder before switching lines or getting back into the road, make a COMPLETE STOP at a stop sign, always signal, try to stay around 1-5 below the speed limit but not above the speed limit (I got a point taken because I went 33 in a 30), etc stuff like that and make sure you read some of the book for road state laws. i got a point taken off because of that, there was no sign but she was like 'it was in the book it's state law to blah blah when your blah blah'. i was like what? idk that bc i didn't read the book lol. if you have experince on the road switching lines/driving well around lots of cars,can back down a road straight, 3 point turn, overnight parking, and parellel park you should be fine. they don't expect you to be PERFECT just a safe enough driver they can trust on the road themselves lol and don't feel bad if your person isn't 'friendly' to you most of them aren't..the ones i know anyways. OMG the lady I had was soo......INTENSE. After my test she started talking about all the crap I did wrong, I was like f-I failed. Then she goes....BUT you passed. Congrats. (Rudely) LMAO I was like, "THANK YOU, OMG GOOD THING THAT'S OVER WITH!" I was like in shock for 5 mins.
90th.degree
If you can show you're a good driver in the first 15 minutes of the test, they'll take it easy on you.
Hax
QUOTE (LozloPengo @ Aug 12 2009, 03:13 AM) *
lol so when i take my test should i start conversations with the instructor during my test?


I'm not sure if you should, but that's just how things turned out for me, haha.
QUOTE (90th.degree @ Aug 12 2009, 10:49 PM) *
If you can show you're a good driver in the first 15 minutes of the test, they'll take it easy on you.


Granted its been a while since I took the test, but I dont recall my driving test being much longer than 15 minutes. Maybe at most 20 O_O.
yunsuh
Ahh! These are all good tips xD!
I'm going to take mine about next month...
I'm pretty confident in my driving since my teacher already told me I'd pass,
but I'm afraid I'm going to get too cocky and end up failing ohmy.gif
Hehe... can't wait xD
90th.degree
QUOTE (Hax @ Aug 12 2009, 11:03 PM) *
Granted its been a while since I took the test, but I dont recall my driving test being much longer than 15 minutes. Maybe at most 20 O_O.


Dunno why, but here it's a 45 minute test. It's gonna be the longest 45 minutes of my life.
azndubz
I'm 16 and I'm taking mine in October XD
But I still can't get how to park in the angled-parking lots at most CA DMV's here :/ Have any tips for that?
shortboy
QUOTE (90th.degree @ Aug 12 2009, 11:26 PM) *
Dunno why, but here it's a 45 minute test. It's gonna be the longest 45 minutes of my life.

WOW! That's a long test. Mine was probably 15-20 minutes. Basically going around the block.

Few tips that probably have already been mentioned but good to see again from others.

-Sit up straight
-Hold your wheel at 10 and 2 (I think it's 10 and 2...)
-Overhand turning
-Signal well before the lane switch or turn
-EXAGGERATE the head turns
-Look at your mirrors.
-When passing intersection, look at the left and right corners
-Please drive at the speed limit haha.
-REALLY slow down before your turns.
-Make COMPLETE (when the car jerks back a little) stops well before the line for stop signs or lights.
-If you have to stop a light, stop, creep a little bit, check if you're clear and then proceed.
-Give it like..3-5 seconds before proceeding at a stop sign.
-Slow down when you're coming up to a speed light even if it is a green.
-Don't try and bother going past a yellow UNLESS you're extremely close and there's absolutely no way around it. Breaking hard is a no no.
-LISTEN to the instructor. Try not to anticipate.
twix0rz
I just want to say i past my test today on my first try!! yay i am so happy. To the OP just relax and listen to your instructor. I hope you get a nice person like i did. biggrin.gif
happyattacks
haha, the tips sound good.
i think i'll stick with what soompiers say.
i hope i do good.
LozloPengo
QUOTE (twix0rz @ Aug 14 2009, 02:36 PM) *
I just want to say i past my test today on my first try!! yay i am so happy. To the OP just relax and listen to your instructor. I hope you get a nice person like i did. biggrin.gif


congrats! do u mind if u tell me the procedures during the test? id really really appreciate it.. thanks im taking mind on tuesday! so nervous..
twix0rz
QUOTE (LozloPengo @ Aug 14 2009, 07:06 PM) *
congrats! do u mind if u tell me the procedures during the test? id really really appreciate it.. thanks im taking mind on tuesday! so nervous..

Put on my seat belt and adjusted my seat. Checked my mirrors. Then the instructor asked me to press on my brakes. Turn on my left light and then my right light.

Afterward she got into the car, I backed out of the parking lot (looked at blind spot and side mirrors etc) and then we drove around the town.
Did my right and left turns. Signal for each turn.
Shifted lanes: I looked at my side mirror, review mirror, and checked my blind spot.
DRIVE BELOW SPEED LIMIT.
Fully stop at stop signs.
Slow down for pedestrians.
Always scan around when driving and slow down a bit even if it is a green light.
After awhile she asked me to parallel park by a car and after that we just drove back.
I parked the car in and she said okay.

I hope that helped. smile.gif Good luck with yours!
LozloPengo
o i c so we have to backout of a parking spot? ugh im really bad going reverse from a parking spot i thought we face the street that were about to leave
randykiyoshi
Yo, I just came back and 'barely' passed my DMV test. All you do is parallel park (we used cones rather than real cars), drive on the highway / residential areas, and some basic car maneuvering. And like someone else said, exaggerate your movements (like looking in the mirror). I got some points taken off because she didn't notice it. =/ Oh one more thing - the test took ~15 minutes so it goes by quick. Good luck!

I see your taking it Tuesday (today)! Hope you passed!! smile.gif
LozloPengo
hey guys i passed hoooo!!!
randykiyoshi
Congrats Lozlo! biggrin.gif What did you think was the hardest part?
master02
You are 19 years old and going for wheel test it is good. I can share my experience with you you can learn more about the rules and regulations of road and signs used on the road. Because you will be give two tests one on rules and another on signs used on road. If you want to learn more about these terms then you can check this website. They also help you to pass your driving test quicker and cheaper.

http://www.allnewdrivers.com
Misao
i failed my driving test 6 times. o___o ill be taking my permit again on monday. and driving test next week. ^^
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
Invision Power Board © 2001-2009 Invision Power Services, Inc.