PA Road Test..

[FatSpottedAppy]

So, the time has come that I have to take my road test. I have to take it and pass it in less than a month or I have to retake my permit test.. :( It sucks, NY permits last 4 years, PA permits last 1 year.

I've been driving a lot and I've been improving considerably, but now my question is.. When you guys took your road test, what're some of the things you had to do? I know for a fact I'm going to have to parallel park, but what else? What're some of the things that I should and shouldn't do when my instructor enters the car? Also I use a pillow to boost myself up so I can see over the wheel, is this allowed when I take my test?

I'm extremely nervous. The DMV people where I'm taking my test are extremely mean and rude! Even my friends who have taken the permit test said so.. and I'm a shy and a bit emotional at that so I'm not looking forward to this.

[ownedby7horses]

I was told that the person here who gives the test was a real jerk, but in all honesty....he was a nice guy. I think my friends got off on telling horror stories about what an arse he was.

I don't imagine the test there is that much different then here. I had to parallel park, make a left hand turn (make a note to yourself to NOT cut the corner, make it extra wide if you have to), I had to make a right hand turn on a red light...make sure you stop behind the crosswalk line, look for pedestrians, then proceed when it's safe. I had to back up...mostly just stuff you'll need to do daily.

Just remember to 1) not cross yellow lines when turning 2) don't speed 3) don't go to slow 4) shoulder check 5) use your mirrors!

You'll be fine Kiger! Good luck with your test!

[FoxFireEMT]

FatSpottedAppy:

I lived in Pa not far from you when I was 16. (That was when you didn't have to go through all the crud of driving for so long and then going to get your lic.) But anyway we had to parallel park & just drove around the city for a couple of blocks! It really wasn't to bad. My suggestion: Make sure you buckle your seat belt, use your turn signals, make COMPLETE stops AND listen to everything he has to say before you even begin your test. If you have any questions prior to moving that car ask him. I messed up a couple of times (can't remember exactly what now) but at the end of the drive I told him I realize I messed up in a few spots & told him what I should of done. I passed it the first time. I'm not sure which DMV your going to but the one I went to had a lot of mean people too but I managed okay. Another suggestion go early in the day when the DMV people aren't so tired & cranky from dealing with other drivers! Good luck!!

[Dakota Sunrise]

I just got my permit so I have no insight for you (although I will agree that the DMV people I dealt with when I took the written test were very unpleasant and really need to work on their people skills!!!:rolleyes:). But please let me know how it goes and what happens because I'm already spazzing about my road test, and it's months away.:rant::(

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great, Morgan. You'll get throught it one way or another, don't worry!

[OwnedByOurHorses]

Everyone hear has giving you great advice.
Just remember to try to relax and take a few deep breathe before you start the car and you will do fine..

This is not to scare you, only to ask you to be a cautious responsible driver..
My son was involved in a bad wreck as a passenger when he was 15 the driver was his 16 yr friend they were hit by another 16 yr driver showing off to his friends....My son already had his permit but refused to go take his driving test after the accident.. He wanted to make sure he was truly ready to take on the responsibilities of driving..He waited until he was 18.

[FatSpottedAppy]

All right! *DEEP BREATH* I am scheduled to take my road test October 22 at 11:30 AM! I'm scared just thinking about it!

I actually had to take my permit test twice because I failed the 1st time. The first guy was a real jerk but the second guy was *ok.* Not friendly or mean. I'm hoping I get someone tolerant when I do take my road test, I'm scared just thinking about it. I'm a cautious driver, I get really nervous around people who I know can be real jerks though. My friend took the road test last year, he said he was talking all friendly and offered his hand to the guy and the guy gave him the cold shoulder. Wahh!

I'm taking my road test in Coudersport which is a confusing town! My Mom is going to take me there to go drive around for a bit before I take the test..



Is there anything else specific I should know that hasn't been mentioned yet?

Do I wait for him to buckle his seatbelt before turning on the car?
Can I use a pillow to boost myself up?
What can I do to get on his good side, if anything?
What are some common mistakes that people make?

[carla]

From my experience:

Do not apply the "five over" rule on your road test. Apparently, they don't like that. (still passed, but it was marked on my paper that I broke the limit, lol).

And- I failed the PParking part and still got my license.. maybe because there's really nowhere around here to PP? Or not back then anyways..

As for the pillow, I would think that having it would be safer than not being able to see. I wouldn't think it would be a problem.

Good luck!!!

[GrungeEquestrian]

Well luckily for me I didn't have to parallel park for the Illinois road test. But I did have to back around a corner and do uphill and downhill parking. I practiced like a manic for these three things constantly and drove my parents nuts. I was so nervous, but it was for nothing I actually did really good. Just remember to remain relaxed and everything will go fine. And unfortunally for me my birthday was in Feb. and I got Trouble in March, but my wanted me to get my license soon so I could drive myself. So I had to take my test in the winter with the snow. Just practice parallel parking, you'll do fine good luck!

[GrungeEquestrian]

Well luckily for me I didn't have to parallel park for the Illinois road test. But I did have to back around a corner and do uphill and downhill parking. I practiced like a manic for these three things constantly and drove my parents nuts. I was so nervous, but it was for nothing I actually did really good. Just remember to remain relaxed and everything will go fine. And unfortunally for me my birthday was in Feb. and I got Trouble in March, but my wanted me to get my license soon so I could drive myself. So I had to take my test in the winter with the snow. Just practice parallel parking, you'll do fine good luck!

Do I wait for him to buckle his seatbelt before turning on the car?
Can I use a pillow to boost myself up?
What can I do to get on his good side, if anything?
What are some common mistakes that people make?


If he doesn't buckle his seat belt as him to before you start the car, some guys will fail you just for that...dumb I know. I am not sure about the pillow as the DMV before you take the test they will probably tell you if its "regalation" or not. A lot of people go over the speed limit when taking the test which is a common mistake. Also if you come to a yellow light, stop don't try to go through it, and lastly watch for posted school zone speeding zones.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Thanks guys..

I am officially freaking out. My road test is the day after tomorrow(Wednesday) at 11:30 AM. :( I am really scared because I'm having such a hard time figuring out the right-a-ways and the town I have to take my test is in really confusing to me(Coudersport).

The main problems I'm having is keeping my speed limit equal to or a little lower than it should be! It's 25 in town and I keep accidentally going a couple notches over. The right aways I need help on. Also turns-- I have an idea but I want to make sure. Left turn(look): Left, Right, Left, Go? Right turn-- Left, Right, Go.

How much over my speed limit will they tolerate? I'm going to try to keep it a couple notches under but like I said I'm having trouble keeping the direct thing..

[carla]

Man! All I can say is, PA's road test must be a LOT different from when I took mine here in GA..? I didn't know there was a certain lookie-pattern to use when you turn. :confused:

For what it's worth, I look left, right, left, go, and look right while I'm going for a left turn. Would you get in trouble for over-looking? LOL

Try and relax-- you'll do fine!

[FoxFireEMT]

Fat,

Don't over think it! You'll be fine! You can never EVER (even when you get to the real world) look to much one way or the other. They are not going to fault you for your thought pattern. Just make sure you at least look both ways before GOING!!!!! Buckle your seat belt as soon as you get into the car. No need to wait.

Deep breath girl friend ~ you'll be fine. Just remember your rules & instincts!

[oursarge]

Deep breaths Morgan! You'll do fine. I took my first test in NY State and that was a nightmare, they gave the test in city traffic. The test in PA was so easy. Back in the dark ages when I took my test we were told we were supposed to remind the guy to put the seat belt on and don't do anything until he has the thing on. I have to use a pillow too and used it. The place I took my test was so easy, I had to back out of the parking spot, drive around the building, do a 3 point turn which I really messed up, go out on a country road, stop at a stop sign, go back into the parking spot and I was done. I passed with no issues other than the 3 point turn. I know they changed it to parallel parking now, I can't do that to save my life. My friend's daughter just took her test and passed with no problems even though she messed up the parallel parking.

I know what you mean about the speed, that might not be your fault, I don't know what you are driving but our Escape is a fight to keep at the right speed, with the hills around here it's just so hard to keep the speed consistant, you're either going up a hill or coming down. Our Explorer was so much easier to keep at the right speed. I'd say go a little below than over if you can manage it and look, look and look some more. Don't just glance, look good and if you have to stop at a stop sign make a complete stop and look, look, look before going. If there are stop lights then look for "Stop here on Red" sign or no turn on red.

When my aunt took her test yrs and yrs ago the State Trooper she was with who gave the test was sort of crabby. She swore at him and told him he was making her a nervous wreck, he laughed and she passed her test! I wouldn't advise that but it worked for her, she was a whack job, so funny. I don't know why the guys who give the test act so crabby. The one I had was nice but didn't smile much, it must be like a rule or something, if you give driving tests make people as nervous as you can by looking mean!!!!

Good luck, if you don't pass take it again. In NY State it was nothing for people to take it 9 or 10 times before passing. In our area they failed every kid the first time, I don't know why. PA was alot easier. I really think you will have no problems.

[FatSpottedAppy]

I'm jealous of my NY friends(I go to a NY school). Their road test only lasts about 5 minutes. They dont have to show the controls of the car and they "parallel park" with nothing behind them, just in front of them. Not to mention they just go around the block. I gotta drive all around town, parallel park, all in a confusing little town. :( Wahh! And my test is at 11:30 AM today..

Thanks so much for the advice everyone.. I will update you when I get home. And I'll remember DEEP BREATHS! :D

[cloedoll]

Good luck, Morgan! You can do it. :D

[oursarge]

Only good thoughts! It's funny it depends on where you take the test. Here in this area of PA the tests are super easy, even though things have changed since I took mine when I moved here the test is still pretty easy, no traffic just a country road with no other cars usually. When I took the test in NY it was hard, city of Kingston traffic and they'd pick 2 cars to park between and my father had this big old boat of a car!!!!! We'll be thinking about you and hoping all will go well.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Good luck, Morgan!!!!

[JackieB]

Good luck, Kiger. Just try to relax. Everything well be fine, and you'll certainly get your driver's license eventually.

[FatSpottedAppy]

Whelp, I failed. :( I nailed parallel parking, but I came to a stop sign that I've come to a million times before.. and I didnt stop. Sigh. I dont know what I was thinking. My next appointment is the 29th at 11:15 AM.. Thanks everyone for the good lucks and all, though. :)

[oursarge]

So Sorry, you'll do great the next time. I think when we're nervous we make mistakes we'd never make otherwise. Good Luck on your next try, just think of this one as a trial run.