Automatic Fails On The California Driving Test
To get your license as a new driver, you’ll have pass the practical DMV test, which you would take on the road. You can make some mistakes when taking your DMV driver’s test, but a few points will be deducted from your overall score when you do so. So, it is crucial that you adequately prepare for it, as you’ll do for any other exam.
Although some beginner drivers make certain common driving mistakes, it may result in an automatic fail regardless of how high or low the test score would otherwise have been. This article will examine the common mistakes you should avoid when taking your DMV road test and other things you need to know before taking your driving test.
17 Automatic Fails on the Driving Test
Let’s now see the common mistakes that can automatically make you fail the driving test.
1. Poor Steering Control
Irrespective of how vital showing confidence behind the wheel is, don’t get in over your head that you drive one-handed. When possible, keep both hands on the steering wheel. Make hand-over-hand turns, and let go of the wheel with controlled slippage.
2. Changing Lanes Wrongly
Ensure you properly change lanes! It isn’t too challenging to signal your intention to change lanes, then check your blind spot and mirrors before changing lanes, but people fail to do it, even during the DMV driver’s test.
When you’re required to change lanes during your DMV driver’s test, first observe, turn on your signal, check your side and rear-view mirrors, and tilt your head to see if there’s an oncoming car, motorcycle, or truck in your blind spot, and switch lanes only when it’s clear. In addition, also look out for traffic in front of you and keep your speed up.
3. Rolling Stops
Making incomplete stops is a common mistake during your DMV driver’s test. Be sure to come to a full and complete stop just before the demarcation line. A rolling stop will result in an outright failure.
4. Distracted Driving
It’s common sense to turn off your cell phone and stereo during your driving test. But it’s somewhat surprising how several people are not paying attention or fidgeting with other things during their driving test. Pay attention to the task and keep your mind on the road.
5. Uncertainty at Four-Way Stops
When you approach an intersection with stop signs, particularly at four-way stops, ensure you know what to do if other cars are waiting at the intersection. Wait for your turn, then move. Ensure you signal your intentions if you’re turning. Generally, if two cars reach an intersection simultaneously, the vehicle on the right side moves first.
6. Wrong Freeway Merging
It’s uncertain that your DMV driver’s test admin will take you onto the freeway, but if it happens, understand how to merge safely from the entrance ramp into traffic at speed. Several beginners stop at the end of the entrance ramp instead of merging, thus causing an unsafe situation.
7. Driving Very Slowly
It’s important to show confidence during your DMV driver’s test. Being too cautious by driving considerably below the speed limit can lead to unsafe conditions for you and other drivers.
8. Driving Too Fast for Conditions
It’s not always safe to drive at the posted speed limit. If there’s fog, rain, traffic congestion, or an accident, slow down to a safe speed.
9. Switching Lanes in an Intersection
Do not change lanes when passing through an intersection, whether you’re going straight or making a turn. Even if the road is free of motorists and you’re following the rules for correct lane changes, avoid doing it in an intersection. Wait until you’ve safely passed the corner before making the proper lane change.
10. Braking Too Hard
Be sure you’re familiar with how hard or soft the brakes are in the vehicle you’ll use for your DMV driver’s test. Hard braking is acceptable in emergencies, but while slowing down or stopping, use just enough brake to get the job done, but not overly much that you and your passenger are thrown forward.
11. Following Too Closely
Ensure you stay several car lengths behind the traffic in front of you. Maintain a safe distance so that if the car in front of you swerves or brakes, you’ll have enough time to react, keeping your passengers safe from harm.
12. Driving Too Fast
Regardless of the speeds of other road drivers, stay within the speed limit. In addition, be conscious of drops in the speed limit, particularly in work zones, school zones, and other particular speed limit areas.
13. Parallel Parking
If your state requires a demonstration of parallel parking ability, the main factors to look out for are not hitting other cars or running over the curb. It is okay to touch the curb, but don’t roll over it. Even if you get points deducted for not properly parallel parking your car, as long as you don’t hit the curb or a car too forcefully, you should still pass your road test.
14. Not Checking Mirrors
It’s good advice that during your road DMV driver’s test, you should check your mirrors more regularly than you usually would while driving. Several driving test takers forget to always check their side view and rear-view mirrors. Likewise, it’s always good to know the location of other vehicles to you, even if you’re not changing lanes.
15. Car Fail
Ensure the car you plan to use for your practical DMV test is in sync with all safety laws. There shouldn’t be any crack on the windshield. Safety belts must be in good working condition. In addition, ensure the headlights, taillights, windshield wipers, brake lights, and turn signals are fully functional.
Wipe the inside and outside of your car thoroughly to ensure that there’s no dirt or personal items that could slide around and distract you. Furthermore, you should well clean your windows for optimal visibility. If your car doesn’t meet the mark, you’ll have to return to retake the test.
16. Seatbelt violation
When the examiner tells you to get into your car, don’t forget to buckle your seatbelt. In addition, you need to be sure that the driving instructor has also buckled their seatbelt before you start the car. Whatever issue may have made you forget to buckle your seatbelt before you start driving, you can get an automatic failure.
17. Traffic law violations
Violation of traffic laws can automatically fail you. These violations include speeding, failure to obey a traffic sign, making an illegal turn, failing to give space for an emergency vehicle, running a red light, etc. If you drive safely and stay focused, you’ll surely pass.
How to Pass Your California Driving Test
Ensure you carefully read and study your handbook! And it would be best if you also had a general understanding of the anatomy of your vehicle. You must identify essential vehicle mechanisms, like the parking brake, defrosters, headlights, and windshield wipers.
In addition, you need more driving practice behind the wheel. You can find all you need about the scoring system on the California DMV Website.
How Many Mistakes Can I Make on the Driving Test?
Mistakes vary by state but usually follow these three parts:
- Pre-drive Check
- Driving
- Critical errors
You’re expected to make a few errors in each of these areas. Everyone gets uneasy the first time they take their driving test. Still, it’s a critical error to be mindful of as they can lead to automatic driver road test failures.
So, ensure you practice driving with a licensed adult whenever possible. In addition, consider enrolling in a driver’s education course if you cannot access a vehicle for your behind-the-wheel practice.
What happens if I fail my driving test 3 times?
In most states in the U.S., 3 is typically the highest number of attempts you’ll have to scale through your driving test.
So, what does that mean exactly? And what happens if you fail your driving test 3 times?
When you first applied for your learner’s permit and paid the fee, those fees covered several testing attempts, including the written and the driving tests.
Most states usually permit 3 attempts max within a year or on a single application. If you don’t pass the driving test 3 times, you’ll restart the entire process again. In simpler terms, you’ll need to:
- Complete a new application
- Show proof of age, identity, legal presence, residency, and age.
- Pass a written test again.
- Practice your driving under supervision.
- Meet any requirement for driver’s education.
- After you’ve met the requirements again, you’ll be able to schedule a new driving test to try again.
Make sure you’ve gained more experience and practice safe driving regularly with your learner’s permit so that you’re ready when the time comes to take the road test.
Final thoughts
That’s all you need to know about California driving test automatic fails and things you should know about passing the driving test in California. We hope this guide has been of help to you and that you’re confident with the steps going forward to getting your driver’s license.
