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Series: How to pass your road test

Part 4.2- Improper lane of traffic

In New York State, there are lane markings on the roads that indicate which lane is allowed to go in which direction. Countless accidents have occurred because driver’s try to make a maneuver from the wrong lane and end up in a collision. With that being said, it is imperative to your driving safely and passing your road test that you remain in the proper lane of traffic.

Here, observation of any markings or signs is key to ensuring that you are in the correct lane in correlation with where you are wanting to go. Failing to do so can give you 10 points out of an allowed 30 on the road test. In addition, the safety of yourself and others on the road is at risk if a driver is in the improper lane of traffic, whether you are taking the road test or not. Sometimes, it can be too late to get into the proper lane for where you originally needed to go. In this scenario, you must stay in the current lane and go in that designated direction. Observation is key.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test for those under the age of 18. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

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Series: How to pass your road test

Part 4.1- Fails to keep right

During the road test exam, your driving proctor will be paying attention to see if you are keeping to the right. In everyday driving, the right lane is the lane with cars generally moving at a slower speed because they may be preparing to make a turn. This same idea is applied to the road test. You can receive 10 points just from failing to stay to the right.

When you are practicing your driving, it is good to remain in your right lane. This makes it easier for you to stay and a very safe speed and to make a smooth right turn. It promotes efficient use of the roads. One of the first things you will be asked to do, after safely pulling away from the curb, is prepare to make your right turn. Make sure that you are ready and keeping to the right!

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test, if you are under the age of 18. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

Series: How to pass your road test

Part 3.6- Excessive Maneuvers in 3 point turn/parking

Simplicity sounds so easy, but can often be hard to achieve in life. Sometimes making the least amount of steps in something can retrieve the best results. This idea applies greatly to different areas on the road test evaluation sheet. For instance, making the minimum amount of maneuvers when completing a parallel park or making a 3 point turn can help you dodge the 5 points that can add up, preventing you from passing the road test.

To put it on easiest terms to understand, excessive maneuvers means taking steps that are not reasonably needed nor fixing anything. Moving back and forth, changing gears for no reason that is actually helping you adjust. 90% of the time, a park can be fixed within two steps. Parking or making a U-turn properly comes with practice and looks the best for you during the exam if you are able to complete them without any extra adjustments or maneuvers necessary. This is why practice and often, professional instruction is so beneficial in learning how to do this.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

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Series: How to pass your road test

How far is too far from the curb? Here, you begin to exercise the judgement that you developed from all the practice you put into driving. The legal distance is 10-12 inches from the curb. Being too far from the curb can obstruct the safe driving of other cars on the road and risk having your car being hit by another. Being too close or on the curb can not only damage your car but get in the way of pedestrians on the sidewalk. Either way, it can get you a ticket and five points on the road test exam. The legal distance is 10-12 inches from the curb.

In order to follow that set legality, you need to practice your parking enough times to be familiar with space orientation. This can be more tricky than it sounds, especially when you are reversing into a space. This promotes the safety of other drivers, pedestrians and all vehicles.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

Part 3.4- Unable to make a 3-point turn

Making a three point turn is important to learn how to do and can comes in handy when it is legal and safe to do so. You need to develop and use your ability to observe and use caution in making 3 point turns, also known as U-turns, in order to complete one safely.

To make a “by-the-book” 3 point turn, there are really more than just three steps. First, you have to signal, and pull to the right. Now, signal left, observe your surroundings and check your mirrors and blind spots. When it is safe and traffic permits, begin moving your vehicle slowly and start turning the wheel almost all the way, continuing to drive in that direction. When you are as far as you can go without being too close to the curb or on someone’s property, put the car in reverse, and before moving, check your mirrors and blind spots again. Proceed to reverse with caution, put the car in drive and move forward.

These are very vague instructions as there are many precautions needed to make a U-turn successfully and safely. During the road test, you can receive 15 points out of 30, but this can easily turn into an automatic failure without observing, moving slowly, and proceeding safely.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

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Series: How to pass your road test

Learning to park properly may be one of the most difficult challenges to overcome as regards to your driving and is experience/practice based. The more that you practice your parallel parks, the better at them you will get. Our instructors have a technique that is very helpful in teaching the student while actually in a vehicle. Being unable to park properly CAN be an automatic failure when accompanied with the other three items related to parking: signaling, observing, excessive space and excessive maneuvers. But in this case, you can get 15 points out of an allotted 30 when specifically “parking improperly”

To park properly, after observing and signaling, begin your parallel park by pulling up to the car in front you. Practicing the timing of when you cut the wheel as you are in reverse is key in parking properly. Once you are in and not hitting or to far away from the curb, straighten up into a forward position. There are many helpful tips that an experienced teacher or driving instructor can give you to help you master the skill of parallel parking for your road test appointment!

Like in many areas of life, one of the key ingredients to a good parallel park is to remain calm. It is one of the most, if not THE most, nerve-wracking parts of your exam. Stay calm and think before you move!

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

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Series: How to pass your road test

In life, when going about daily life, making cautious observations keeps you safe and out of trouble. When driving, this is also one of the main purposes accomplished from being observant when parking, backing and making u-turns.

Put very simply, you need to pay attention to any cars around, any cars coming, your distance from the curb, pedestrians, or anything else that can distract you or potentially get in the way. This observation is key and imperative to a safe experience in parking, backing or making u-turns.  In addition to creating an unsafe situation on the road for yourself and others, this can also give you 10 points each on the road test evaluation sheet out of an allotted 30 points. Make sure to use caution, go slowly, and “signal, mirror, shoulder” to perform a complete observation process!

Safe driving everyone!

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

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Series: How to pass your road test

Part 3.1- Fails to Signal during parking and U-turns.

Communication is a life skill that contributes to peace and healthy relationships among one another. Signaling is the way in which cars communicate with each other. Without this, the roads would be complete madness. Utilizing signaling in all aspects of driving is important. In this part of the evaluation exam, your inspector is paying attention to your signaling when parking and making a u-turn.

When you are asked to parallel park in the designated area, you must put your signal on in the appropriate direction, generally right. This is also what needs to be done when pulling over to make a three point turn/ U-turn. If you forget or fail to signal, this will cost you 5 points out of an allowed 30 before failure.

Dont forget to signal! This will save not only a potential 5 points, but it promotes safety and the rules of the road.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

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Series: How to pass your road test

Part 2.5- Inattentive to traffic signs, signals and lane markings when making a turn or at an intersection

In the same category regarding your actions and behaviors at traffic intersections and turns, you must be attentive to any signs, signals or lane markings.

Neglecting to do so can give you a heavy 10 points on the road test out of an allotted 30 points. In addition, being attentive to such signs, signals and lane markings promote safety your all people on or near the road.

At intersections, some signs that may be there are stop signs, No u-turn signs, things of this nature. Not being attentive to these things can lead to collision between cars or pedestrians. Lighted signals are also often placed at intersections. Failure to abide or give your attention to such things are also dangerous. Red means stop, green means go (the speed limit) and yellow means slow down, despite what majority believes. A flashing yellow light means to proceed slowly and with caution, paying more than the usual attention.

Certain lane markings are also indications to certain driving behaviors. There is a big, bold, white line at stop lights indicating where a vehicle should stop, generally a large amount of space before the placement of the stoplight. A crosswalk is a part of the road  where the sidewalk lines extend across the street, and it is set aside for pedestrian traffic. Crosswalks are indicated with white lines.  Yellow lines mark the middle of a two-way road used for two-way traffic. You may pass on a two-way road if the yellow centerline is broken. Two solid yellow lines mean no passing. Never drive to the left of these lines. White Lines painted on the pavement indicate traffic traveling in your direction. If the line is broken, you can change lanes when it is safe to do so. If the lines are solid then you must stay within the line. This can also mark the shoulder of the road.

Each sign, signal and lane marking has a purpose and is there for a reason. Pay attention to all of them as they prevent any accidents from occurring, promote the safe implementation of the rules of the road and eliminate your chances of racking up points on the road test exam.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!

Ready? Set...Go!

Series: How to pass your road test

Part 2.5- Inattentive to traffic signs, signals and lane markings when making a turn or at an intersection

In the same category regarding your actions and behaviors at traffic intersections and turns, you must be attentive to any signs, signals or lane markings.

Neglecting to do so can give you a heavy 10 points on the road test out of an allotted 30 points. In addition, being attentive to such signs, signals and lane markings promote safety your all people on or near the road.

At intersections, some signs that may be there are stop signs, No u-turn signs, things of this nature. Not being attentive to these things can lead to collision between cars or pedestrians. Lighted signals are also often placed at intersections. Failure to abide or give your attention to such things are also dangerous. Red means stop, green means go (the speed limit) and yellow means slow down, despite what majority believes. A flashing yellow light means to proceed slowly and with caution, paying more than the usual attention.

Certain lane markings are also indications to certain driving behaviors. There is a big, bold, white line at stop lights indicating where a vehicle should stop, generally a large amount of space before the placement of the stoplight. A crosswalk is a part of the road  where the sidewalk lines extend across the street, and it is set aside for pedestrian traffic. Crosswalks are indicated with white lines.  Yellow lines mark the middle of a two-way road used for two-way traffic. You may pass on a two-way road if the yellow centerline is broken. Two solid yellow lines mean no passing. Never drive to the left of these lines. White Lines painted on the pavement indicate traffic traveling in your direction. If the line is broken, you can change lanes when it is safe to do so. If the lines are solid then you must stay within the line. This can also mark the shoulder of the road.

Each sign, signal and lane marking has a purpose and is there for a reason. Pay attention to all of them as they prevent any accidents from occurring, promote the safe implementation of the rules of the road and eliminate your chances of racking up points on the road test exam.

NYS mandates 50 hours of logged driving practice before taking the road test. New York Auto School recommends 20 hours of practice after sunset, 20 hours in busy traffic and 10 hours practicing parking and u-turns. These driving lessons can be serviced by the New York Auto School, in addition to the pre-licensing 5 hour/ MV-278 class, a road-test appointment service, and the defensive driving course. For more information email [email protected] or call 914-779-0444. Thanks!!