Road Test Steps

THE TDA STEPS FOR OBTAINING YOUR LICENSE

 Study Guide for Test-Practice, Practice, Practice

HELPFUL HINTS: read below some useful tips for the test.

       Make sure you look OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER BEFORE YOU LOOK OVER YOUR RIGHT SHOULDER TO BACK UP OR PARALLEL PARK..I'll say that again..Make sure you look over your LEFT shoulder to check your blind spot BEFORE you look over your right shoulder to begin backing up.

      When backing up in straight line, check over your left shoulder, then prop yourself up and look over right shoulder out back window while you back up.  This is the only time you can use just one hand on the wheel.  Operating slowly and smoothly will avoid you ending up in the middle of the road or going on someone’s lawn.  If you veer to one side, SLOWLY correct it and bring it back in line.

       Always use your turn signals and CHECK YOUR BLIND SPOTS...You will fail if you don't check your blind spots.

       Put your seat belt on...(that's a no-brainer but teens forget sometimes when nervous)

       KNOW your hand signals..AUTOMATIC failure if you don't know the hand signals. IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR HAND SIGNALS, YOU FAIL, YOU FAIL, YOU FAIL...IT'S VERY SIMPLE...REFRESH YOUR MEMORY NOW BEFORE SATURDAY!

NO SPEEDING.

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT BLOCK THE CROSSWALK..THERE IS ONE BY THE QMS ENTRANCE AND 2 OTHERS BY THE HOPE/CHURCH STREET INTERSECTION WITH THE LITTLE ISLAND.  BLOCKING THESE WHILE WAITING FOR CARS TO GO BY IS A FAILURE..PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS. 

KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN THE WHEELS SHOULD YOU HAVE TO SECURE THE CAR.REMEMBER THE SAYING 'UP, UP, AND AWAY-SUPERMAN'  If UP Hill AND a curb, then the wheels go AWAY from the curb.ALL OTHER SCENARIOS, THE WHEELS GO INWARD TOWARD THE CURB. 

I'LL SAY IT ONE MORE TIME, You must know this! 

When you get in the car, MAKE SURE THE Emergency BRAKE is NOT ON..Some examiners will make the student before you secure the emergency brake before they get out of the car.  They don't tell you it's on and you try to drive and the car won't move. MAKE SURE you check that center emergency brake and release it if it's on.

      Don't be nervous about the parallel parking.  You are allowed to make one correction on parking.  That means, if you didn't line it up right and are going to hit the other car..STOP, and reposition the car and do it again.  The examiner would rather see that you realized your error before you wipe out another car. You all have the done the parallel but we understand it causes the most anxiety.  Just take your time and remember what you have been taught..Practice tonight!

PRACTICE PARALLEL PARKING..PRACTICE PARALLEL PARKING..PRACTICE PARALLEL PARKING…ONE MORE TIME, PRACTICE PARALLEL PARKING…(I think you get what we are trying to emphasize here)

SUGGESTION FOR PARALLEL PARKING:

Pull along side car, leaving 2 or 3 feet. Align your car mirror to mirror or seat to seat, or back bumper to back bumper. (BIG HINT:  THE EXAMINER LIKES MIRROR TO MIRROR BEFORE YOU START TO BACK UP)

Do a 4 point check.

(1) Lookover left shoulder

(2) check left mirror

(3) check middle mirror

(4)check right mirror and back up looking over right shoulder.

Slowly back up turning the wheel all the way towards the curb.    Use your brake and look out of your rear window.

"Do Not Use Mirrors and DO NOT ADJUST THE MIRRORS AT ANY TIME.."

Rest your foot on the break and go SLOWLY.

When you pass the rear bumper of the park car, start turning your wheel the opposite way and continue backing up. Do not touch the car behind or in front of you. When you are back far enough, straighten your wheel and pull foward.

RELAX AND PRACTICE THIS WEEK.  IF YOU FOLLOW THESE RULES, YOU SHOULD BE FINE.

      THINGS TO BRING.MAKE SURE YOUR PARENT SIGNS ALL THE BOXES (including the box that indicates they completed 40 hours of driving with you and the box authorizing you to obtain a license) OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE TEST..YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING THINGS..THE RMV MAKES NO EXCEPTIONS..

1.  Make sure you bring your permit that is legible to read and NOT laminated (they have to write on it).

2.  Make sure you DO NOT wear flip flops OR loose fitting footwear.  Present yourself as you are prepared and ready to make a good impression.  First impressions mean a lot!!!

      We know we just threw a lot of information at you, however, this is to give you the best opportunity to be successful on tesT day. Lastly, we know you will be nervous; just try and be calm, relaxed, and make sure you listen to your prep examiners as they will do everything they can to make sure you are ready for the test.