Myth #1 Examiners Must Meet Quotas
Now think about that. Even if you meet the criteria, the examiner will not a issue a license because there is a limit for the day? Totally silly. If you meet the criteria for licensure, the examiner is happy to issue your license.
Myth #2 Examiners Try To Trick The Applicant
Again, totally silly. What would be the point of “tricking” an applicant? Each applicant is subject to the same criteria for the basic skills test: several left and right turns, parallel park, and a three point turn. While you are performing the basic skills, you are traveling through several intersections to demonstrate your ability to make responsible decisions and handle your vehicle safely.
Myth #3 The Parallel Park Is Senseless
Haven’t had the need to parallel park since the road test? That’s okay. Plenty of people do regularly, but that’s not really the point of the parallel park. The Basic Skills Road Test is the opportunity to demonstrate your skill in controlling a vehicle in both forward and reverse motion. Forward movement, includes safely moving your vehicle through left and right turns. The parallel park and three-point turn demonstrate your ability to control your vehicle while in reverse gear.
Myth #4 It Is Best To Take Your Road Test At The Easy Site
The road test requires the same criteria at every road test site. Why would you want an easy road test site, anyway? Wouldn’t you want to know you can handle a vehicle safely on your own wherever you drive? If your time and experience behind the wheel has provided opportunity for you to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the vehicle responsibly, every site is easy. The road test is, after all, a Basic Skills Test.
Myth #5 I Want A Different Examiner, So I Am Going To A Different Site.
New York State Road Test Examiners rotate regularly to different sites. You will not avoid getting the same examiner by testing in a different location. If you failed a road test, the best way to succeed on the next, is to read the comments noted by the previous examiner and correct those errors in your driving. You may want to consider taking a lesson from a professional driving school.
Myth #6 The Examiner Made Me Nervous
Examiners are people too. They understand that most applicants are nervous during the road test and they do their best to put you at ease. Instead of thinking about yourself, try putting yourself in the Examiner’s place. They have never seen you drive, yet they are getting into your vehicle and you are driving off with them. Do you think they might be nervous? How about you do your best to put the examiner at ease. Show them you value their life by looking around and controlling your vehicle carefully. Demonstrate that you care about safety and have knowledge of the right-of-way rules that govern intersections. At the completion of the test, the examiner is happy to issue your license if you demonstrate you can handle a vehicle responsibly.
Myth #7 The Examiner Will Provide A Car
In New York State, you must provide your own vehicle. Your vehicle’s inspection, registration, and insurance must be up to date, or the examiner will not get in your vehicle. Your vehicle must have working doors and seatbelts. You should have clean windows and mirrors and nothing hanging from the inside rearview mirror, as this is a violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Myth #8 The Road Test Begins At The Department of Motor Vehicles
When you schedule your road test, you must check the directions for the location of your road test site. These are very specific, including the street where the road test begins and instructions in how to line up at the curb so you are facing the correct direction. You are also instructed to look for the sign that indicates the road test site. You and your accompanying driver must stay with your vehicle. The examiner will come to you. There is no need to get out and report your arrival to anyone.
Myth #9 There Is A Building At The Site
The road test site is simply a certified perimeter that includes several streets where the examiner directs the applicant to perform the basic skills. The test begins at a curb on a designated street. There is not a building at which you will report. The accompanying driver must stand at the curb for the ten or twelve minutes of test time. Therefore, you should notify your accompanying driver to be prepared with proper gear to stand out in the weather while you drive.
Myth #10 Passing The Road Test Means I Am A Good Driver
Passing the road test indicates you demonstrated standard basic skills during a very short drive. Essentially, it means you may now remove your training wheels and drive solo (without your accompanying driver). The examiner does not expect you to be perfect; therefore, every newly licensed driver is on probation for six months. (See Chapter 2, Keeping Your License, in your Driver’s Manual).
There is no such thing as a good driver, only a driver who is either responsible or irresponsible. Driving requires constant vigilance, as it is a continuous moment-by-moment adventure in an always changing environment. When a driver allows their attitude to slip and disregards the risk that exists when moving a two ton vehicle between 25-95 feet per second, that driver is irresponsible. We must be able to count on each other to reduce the risk we share. Stay alert, Stay responsible, and enjoy the journey. Blessings to you!