In some countries, taking a driving test might just be a formality and is easy to pass. But the Ontario driving test is no joke and many folks who take it don’t succeed the first time.
It’s a badge of honor if you do pass the test the first time because this means you did it quite impeccably. If you are going to take the driving test in Canada soon, then we have some tips for you. Using them, you can look to pass the driving test in Ontario in a couple of tries.
1. Your Driving Test Starts Before You Take the Driver’s Seat
Lots of folks think that the tester is only marking them for everything they do while driving on the road. But it begins way before that.
The minute you step onto the parking lot is when your test has already begun. Your tester is watching you like a hawk, and marking down everything you are doing, from the way you adjust the mirrors, and the way you check your surroundings before moving out of your parking space.
This doesn’t mean that you should become paranoid and nervous about every little thing you do. But remember that the tester has seen hundreds if not thousands of drivers already and they can catch instantly when you make a mistake.
So try to do the best you can. It’s only twenty minutes of your life, but it can be quite stressful if you aren’t conscious and careful of every movement you make.
Of course, you could even say that your G1 test where you are tested on your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs, is where the whole thing begins. Take a G1 practice test here – https://www.g1course.com/ontario-g1-practice-test/.
2. Make Sure to Signal Every Lane Change and Turn
No matter if you are turning or changing your lane, you need to use your indicator and signal every movement on the road. It might seem obsessive or even excessive, but it’s better to overdo it when in a driving test than to underdo it.
Your tester won’t necessarily mark you wrong for signaling too much, but they can mark you down for not signaling enough.
Don’t signal too early though. If you are going to turn 500 meters down the road, don’t start signaling right now. Do it when you come closer to the turn.
Your driver’s education course would have given you strict guidelines on how to signal and when. Make sure you practice, practice, practice, so you mark these rules in your head so clearly that they become second nature to you.
3. It’s About Demonstrating Defensive Driving Skills
Driving tests in Ontario are all about defensive driving. They are testing how you manage yourself on the road, not by being aggressive or dominant. They want you to protect yourself on the road by anticipating what other drivers are going to do.
You are not a mind reader, so how will you accomplish this? Well, you are going to use your best friend, the rearview mirrors, the side mirrors, and your visual acuity.
Make sure you are constantly watching the mirrors and your surroundings to figure out what the other drivers you are doing and where they are as compared to you. The more conscious and aware you can be of the traffic around you, the easier it will be to anticipate when any changes occur and react accordingly.
That’s why zoning out while driving, which happens when you are driving a familiar route, is so dangerous. No matter how long you’ve been driving for, staying conscious and aware of the traffic around you is still the most important parameter of being a safe driver.
4. Follow Speed Limits
When you watch other drivers on the road, it might seem that speed limits are there just for show. No one actually follows them, right?
Well, they are not there just for fun. The road authorities have spent time figuring out what speed limit works best for each section of the road, and these speed limits must be followed to a T when you are in a driving test in Ontario.
There’s no bending the rules when it comes to speed limits. You can go 5 or 10 kilometers under the speed limit, but you should never go over.
Also, the tester will try to trick you by taking you on roads where the speed limit drops quite suddenly, perhaps because you are entering a school zone. Watch out for those and adjust your speed accordingly. If you fail to do this, the tester might as well fail you entirely.
5. Watch Out for Stop Signs
Stop signs in Canada are another one of those tricky bits. Everyone should come to a full stop at a stop sign. But most people cruise to a soft stop and speed up immediately.
Of course, you are not going to do that in a driving test situation. Make sure you watch out for any stop signs, so you don’t have to slam on your brakes to come to a stop.
A gentle stop is what is required. Wait at least two seconds at the stop sign before going ahead again. Use this time to look both ways and ensure there are no pedestrians or bicycles going past.
Ontario Driving Test – Breath and Take It Slow
There’s no need to rush through your Ontario driving test. The more you rush through it, the more likely it is that you will end up making a dire mistake.
If you liked this article on driving tests in Ontario, then we have many more interesting blog posts you can peruse through.
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