When a driver is performing a test to obtain a driver’s license, he will be asked to demonstrate proficiency in an assortment of maneuvers key to everyday driving. Failure to perform these maneuvers to the standards of the driving tester and state will result in an inability to obtain a driver’s license. Therefore, it is important for the driver to know what exactly is expected during the driving examination and how to correctly perform the maneuvers described in those expectations. These maneuvers can include not only things required when driving in traffic, but also special parking or starting situations.
The test will include assessment of the driver’s ability to perform basic maneuvers such as turning, backing out, stopping at stop lines, and lane changes. Although these maneuvers are simple, they are just as crucial to the driver’s success as any of the other test components. For example, when turning, if the driver hits the curb, the examiner may instantly fail the driver. Therefore drivers should take just as much care to perform these maneuvers precisely.
The examiner will also test the ability to perform more complex maneuvers such as a U-turn. A U-turn is a method of turning about in which the driver turns in a U-shaped path in order to begin driving in the opposite direction of the cars path prior to the turn. Although this particular maneuver is not extremely difficult, drivers should make sure that the roadway is wide enough to perform a U-turn and that it is legal to do so.
Another method that a driver can use to turnabout is a three-point turn. This maneuver is more complex than a U-turn in the fact that the driver must stop to reverse the car and then stop to return the car back to forward driving. In order to perform this maneuver, the driver must have an accessible driveway or occasionally a roadway to use. Drivers perform a three-point turn using a driveway by stopping after the selected driveway, shifting to reverse and pulling onto the driveway, and shifting back to drive and turning left. When performing this maneuver, drivers should make sure to check their mirrors and blind spots for any hazards or traffic. A three-point turn is performed on the roadway only when the street is too narrow to perform a turnabout and there are no driveways available. Drivers perform this by steering sharply towards the opposite curb, reversing, and then shifting back to drive and moving towards the desired direction. Drivers should take care when performing this because it puts them at risk to oncoming traffic.
The driving test will also assess the driver’s mastery of parking. The examiner may ask the driver to perform a variety of different parking situations, including diagonal and perpendicular spaces, parallel parking, and parking uphill and downhill. Each of these situations requires different procedures in order to be deemed both safe and correct by the examiner. Drivers must take care to examine surroundings cautiously to make sure the desired parking area is clear.
It can be seen that many maneuvers and skills are included in the driving test, so it is crucial that drivers have mastery of all of them in order to obtain a driver’s license.
