The road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can describe what the examiner checks before and during the test.
• You can perform common manoeuvres such as turns, lane changes, roadside stops and parking.
• You can show clear observation with mirror and shoulder checks.
• You can explain what causes an automatic fail.
• You can stay calm and follow instructions from an examiner.

What you need to know and understand

• Ontario's G road test focuses on more advanced skills such as highway driving.
• ICBC's Class 7 road test takes about 40 minutes and marks observation, hazard perception, speed control, space margins, steering and communication.
• Alberta's Class 5 road test fails a driver who builds up more than 75 points of errors, or who endangers others, drives unsafely or breaks a traffic law.
• The SAAQ road test in Quebec is about 30 minutes and needs a score of 75% or more.
• In Ontario, electronic aids such as back cameras, parking assist and cruise control may not be used on road tests.
• In BC and Quebec, only you and the examiner may be in the car; no passengers or pets.
• BC's examiners may ask for manoeuvres such as hill parking, angle or stall parking, parallel parking and two- or three-point turns.

What examiners watch the whole time

Most points are lost on observation, not on fancy manoeuvres. Examiners want to see you check mirrors regularly, shoulder check before every lane change and pull-out, scan intersections left, ahead and right, and keep a safe following distance. They also watch your speed: not over the limit, and not so slow that you hold up traffic. Ontario's handbook puts it simply: if another road user with the right of way has to react to avoid you, you did not check properly.

• Full stops behind the line at stop signs and red lights, with no rolling.
• Signals given in good time and cancelled afterwards.
• Correct lane position before and after turns.
• Smooth steering, braking and speed control.
• Correct yielding to pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.

Manoeuvres you may be asked to do

Not every test includes every item. For example, Ontario's G test currently leaves out parallel parking, roadside stops, three-point turns and residential driving, while the G2 test includes parking and reversing.

• Left and right turns at controlled and uncontrolled intersections.
• Lane changes and merging, including onto a highway in some tests.
• A roadside stop and moving off again.
• Parallel parking, and in some provinces stall or angle parking and hill parking.
• A three-point turn or two-point turn.
• Reversing in a straight line.

Automatic fails and how to avoid them

Each province scores differently, but a dangerous or illegal action fails you immediately everywhere. Alberta gives an automatic fail for endangering a pedestrian or another driver, driving unsafely or breaking traffic laws. The SAAQ lists examples such as not stopping at a red light or stop sign, going over the speed limit and driving against traffic. If the examiner has to step in to prevent a collision, the test ends.

1. Adjust the seat, mirrors and head restraint before moving, and ask any questions before the test starts.
2. Listen to each instruction fully; ask the examiner to repeat it if unsure.
3. If you make a small mistake, put it behind you and keep driving safely.
4. Use the examiner's report afterwards to plan more practice.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a stop sign. Come to a full stop at the line, then creep forward to see if needed.
• Skipping shoulder checks because the mirrors look clear. Blind spots hide cyclists and cars.
• Driving too slowly to seem careful. Unnecessary slowness can count against you.
• Relying on a back camera to park. In Ontario it may not be used; practise with mirrors and shoulder checks.
• Panicking after one error. Most systems allow small mistakes; keep driving safely.

Test yourself: The road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.