Approaching a turn
When approaching a turn, the examiner will monitor you for traffic checks. You should check traffic ahead, left, right and to the rear before you reach a corner. You should look toward or make eye contact with other drivers or pedestrians.
Activate your turn signal at least 100 feet before a turn. Signaling too early or too late may confuse other drivers.
When approaching a turn, reduce your speed and apply the brakes smoothly.
Proceed through the turn unless you are required to stop or because of other vehicles. Do not hesitate unnecessarily.
Stopping before you turn
If you need to stop before you make a turn, be sure to leave enough room in front of you. You should be able to see the rear bumper of the vehicle in front or you, or enough room to go around the vehicle if it stalls. Defensive driving means keeping a safe zone around you.
When stopping, always stop before the stop line painted on the road (if there is one.) If there is no painted line on the road, stop before the crosswalk. Remember, pedestrians have the right-of-way.
If you are turning left, keep the wheels of your vehicle straight until you start the turn. If your wheels are turned, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic if someone were to hit your vehicle from behind.
Completing the turn
Before you begin your turn, thoroughly check for traffic ahead, to the left and to the right.
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift gears before you make the turn, not during the turn.
Accelerate at a safe speed through the turn.
Enter and complete the turn in the correct lane. Maintain the proper position in the lane. Do not turn so wide or short that your turn interferes with other lanes of traffic. Review the information in the
Motorists' Handbook for proper lane use while turning at multiple lane intersections.
Intersections
Intersections requiring you to stop
Check traffic both ways and to the rear before you reach the corner.
Reduce speed and apply your brakes smoothly as you approach the intersection. Keep your vehicle centered in the proper lane. Be sure to leave enough room in front of you. You should be able to see the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of you, or enough room to go around the vehicle if it stalls. Defensive driving means keeping a safe zone around you.
When stopping, always stop before the stop line painted on the road (if there is one.) If there is no painted line on the road, stop before the crosswalk. Remember, pedestrians have the right-of-way.
Approaching intersections that do not require a stop
Slow down and be ready to stop if traffic does not yield to you. Keep your vehicle centered in your lane.
Check traffic both ways before driving through the intersection. Yield to traffic on your right.
Unless you are required to stop because of other vehicles, proceed through the intersection.
Driving in a business or residential area
Check the rear-view mirror about every 6 to 8 seconds. This will give you an overall knowledge of the traffic pattern.
Maintain a speed that is compatible with existing traffic, weather or road conditions. Do not exceed the posted speed limit. Keep your vehicle centered in the proper lane.
Leave a safe space to the front and side of your vehicle.
Changing lanes
Do not change lanes while you are in an intersection.
Check traffic to the left, right and the rear before changing lanes. Check the "blind spot" by looking over your shoulder in the direction you want to move.
Activate your turn signal to let other drivers know that you intend to change direction.
Your lane change should be done smoothly without impeding traffic or exceeding the posted speed limit.
Leave a safe space to the front and rear of your vehicle.
Y-turn
Approaching the Y-turn
As you pull over to the curb, glance to the rear and check over your right shoulder for other traffic.
Activate your right turn signal to let other drivers know that you are moving to the right.
Performing the Y-turn
Check over your left shoulder before you leave the curb. Once your vehicle is across the street, check both up and down the street before starting the backing part of the Y-turn. While backing, look over your right shoulder toward the back of the vehicle.
Activate your left turn signal to let other drivers know you are leaving the curb.
Back no more than once. Back no faster than a slow walk.
Resume driving
Check left and to the right before moving forward in the traffic lane.
Accelerate smoothly. Pull into the traffic lane at a safe speed. Your vehicle should be in the proper lane and not over the center line.
Roadside stop and start (hill park)
Approach the roadside stop and start
Check traffic to the left, right and the rear before changing lanes. Check the "blind spot" by looking over your shoulder.
Activate your turn signal to let other drivers know that you intend to change direction.
Decrease speed when you pull next to the curb. Stop your vehicle parallel to and within one foot of the curb.
Perform the roadside stop and start
Set the emergency brake. Check the
Motorists' Handbook or the proper direction to turn the wheel when parking on a hill.
Resume driving
Check the "blind spot" by looking over your left shoulder before pulling back into traffic.
Activate the left turn signal to let other drivers know you are leaving the curb.
Accelerate smoothly. Pull into the traffic lane at a safe speed. Your vehicle should be in the proper lane and not over the center line.
Parking skills
Note: If a parked vehicle is available, a parallel parking maneuver will be conducted on the street during the road test. If no parked vehicle is available, the parallel parking maneuver will be performed upon your return to the DMV customer service center.
Approaching a right side parking site
As you pull over, glance to the rear and check over your right shoulder for other traffic.
Activate your right turn signal to let other drivers know that you are moving to the right.
Performing the parking maneuver
When backing, scan the sidewalk area and behind the vehicle. Look over your right shoulder toward the back of the vehicle.
A legally parked vehicle should be no more than one foot from the curb, or two feet from the vehicle in front and/or back of it.
Resume driving
Check traffic to the left, right and the rear before changing lanes. Check the "blind spot" by looking over your shoulder.
Activate your turn signal to let other drivers know that you intend to change direction.
Accelerate smoothly. Pull into the traffic lane at a safe speed. Your vehicle should be in the proper lane and not over the center line.
Backing
Approaching the backing site
As you pull over to the curb, glance to the rear and check over your right shoulder for other traffic.
Activate your right turn signal to let other drivers know that you are moving to the right.
Performing the backing maneuver
Back in a straight path. Back no faster than a slow walk. While backing, look over your right shoulder toward the back of the vehicle.
Resume driving
Check left and to the right before moving forward in the traffic lane.
Accelerate smoothly. Pull into the traffic lane at a safe speed. Your vehicle should be in the proper lane and not over the center line.
Parking lot
Check traffic when exiting and entering the parking lot. When driving in a parking lot, watch for vehicles and pedestrians.
Drive at a slow rate of speed.
Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.