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It’s one of the most important tests in any North American life. No, it’s not the ACT. No, it’s not the test to make sure you don’t have the clap, although that is very important to know. It’s the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles’ Drivers’ Test. Chances are, people not only remember their Drivers’ Education experience, but the actual day they got their license. Yes, this day can be very exciting and is sure to change your life.
However, most people, teenagers especially, go on to fail their first driving test largely because of being nervous. Nerves can be attributed to not really knowing what to expect as you walk into a DMV for the first time. With slow lines, long waiting periods, then getting the feeling of being rushed, a first-timer can get all the ingredients they need for a nerve-racking testing experience. But with simple knowledge of what to expect and what to do when you get to your local DMV, anyone pursing a driver’s license should have no problem achieving that goal.
Wait, Wait, Go!
Despite the notoriously suspect customer service staff, the DMV really does want people to get their driving licenses. When the day has finally come to try for that license, make sure to wake up and get there early, much like you would for any other test. Know the area well. If the traffic is known for being jammed or too fast, choose another DMV as driving under those conditions is not a good way to gain confidence. The DMV is known for having very slow lines, but a very speedy experience with the counter clerk. So arriving early will ensure enough time to take the written test if needed and get behind the wheel, both without having waited in a long line for hours more than you have to.
Proper Paperwork
When you head up to the DMV, make sure to have all the required documents needed to get your license. There’s no worse feeling than someone who has psyched himself or herself up for the day just to head back home because they don't have all their paperwork. Usually, aspiring drivers must present the DMV clerk with a birth certificate, Social Insurance card, your Learner’s Permit and your completed written test. Make sure your instructor has signed the permit and also be sure to present whatever proof needed to show you’ve completed the requirement of behind-the-wheel hours.
After a waiting period while someone grades your test, clerks usher you to be seated and you wait until the next road tester is available for the behind-the-wheel portion of the test. Once a road tester is ready, make sure to get in the car and put your seatbelt on first. Before leaving home make sure the car you are choosing as the testing car is in excellent working condition. An even worse bummer than forgetting a document is the car breaking down in the street. Many physical and psychological problems can arise from this kind of experience, so make a note to take the best car you have access to.
The Test
The tester will examine your car to make sure all the head and tail lights work and to make sure the vehicle is registered. The safest colours for cars are red, silver and white because all of these colours are easily seen in the daytime and under the darkness of night. Once the car has passed its mechanical test, the tester will either ask you what you’re supposed to do next or simply tell you to start the car once he or she is in with you and settled. Questions or requests like, “Show me where your hands are supposed to be,” and “Where is your hazard switch?” are just examples of what they may ask, so make sure to know the car you’re driving pretty well, because you may have to locate a few buttons. Also, know what they mean and when to use them. Although each car is different, new drivers soon realize that every car has the same basic features, so it’s helpful to know what they do early on.
Once the car has started, don’t get too excited. The biggest mistake new drivers make is getting too nervous or anxious and forgetting about all the rules of the road. Many of the rules that are described in class are ignored in the real world of driving. Rules such as stopping before the double white line at traffic lights and completely stopping before every right turn are forgotten as soon as the test is over. But during the test, be sure to come to a complete stop at every stop sign, don’t drive through yellow lights and be sure to stop before the white line in the crosswalk at traffic lights. While these rules are small, when added up they can either make the dreams of having a license come true or turn them into a nightmare of a life on the bus.
For 10 to 20 minutes, the tester will give out directions for a new driver to follow. But beyond that, it is better if a driver pays the test official little attention. It will only cause your nerves to get to you and distract your attention away from the road. Be sure to drive smoothly at all times. Accelerate smoothly and brake sooner to slow to a smooth stop at each opportunity. At no time should a testing driver go anywhere near the speed limit, let alone go over it. Unless the tester gives the okay to drive faster, do not make that decision. Don’t forget, the tester is just like anyone else, a person. So scaring him or her by driving too fast, too soon will only be bad for you.
License To Drive
All the other rules like not tailgating and proper signalling will play into the test score, but other than that, the test should be a trip around the block. Keeping your eyes on road hazards and making good decisions will definitely earn that license. To get in the last few tryouts before the race, try a driving school. A good driving school will probably have a DMV close by. The benefit of this is that you can get familiar with the area before the test, which will make the drive that much easier. Not only will that increase the chance of passing, it will increase the confidence needed to succeed.
Sources:
dmv.org
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