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K i read the book , tried taking the practice test...
http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/pass-veh/opkt

not doing too well , any tips? should i not go take the real one till i get like 100% ?

Practice as much as you can. I'm not sure how the Canadian stuff works but for me in the US it was all about memorizing as much of the booklet as possible. Then again that was over ten years ago and I'm not sure how things have changed. Um... just learn how to teleport yourself. Good Luck!

My advice: Take the car and floor it. You should be able to clear the traffic barrier and escape to a life on the run.

djphranq wrote:Practice as much as you can. I'm not sure how the Canadian stuff works but for me in the US it was all about memorizing as much of the booklet as possible. Then again that was over ten years ago and I'm not sure how things have changed. Um... just learn how to teleport yourself. Good Luck!

I kept getting 72% on every practice test -_- ( required minimum is 80% )

I remember taking my test a few years back and it was pretty easy for the driving part. The information on the tests is pretty straightforward here in the U.S. but there are a few things that can catch you off guard. As long as you understand the more obvious stuff you should do just fine.

I am pretty sure the questions are different on each test (there should be 4-5 different tests handed out randomly) although again I am not sure what it is like in Canada.

One interesting thing down here is that you can take the written part until you pass, then take the driving part as much as 2-4 weeks later.

Good luck with that, I am sure you will do just fine.

I don't know if your one is anything like the UK one but here you can get these mock test cd or book things which have the actual questions rom the theory test. I remember by the time I did the actual test I pretty much knew every question and got 100%.

Hmm while we are at it , any tips for learning to drive? ( dont want to keep making new threads )

Is it anything like:

driving in video games ?
or similar to driving a boat?

Don't be afraid to put the windscreen wipers on. I took my test in the snow, and after ten minutes of me peering through an almost blocked out window, the guy said in a frosty voice, "Those windows could do with a wipe, couldn't they?"

I was mortified. Still passed though

Honestly I would say the one thing that will make all the difference is driving an automatic. Even if you have a bit of experience with a manual, driving an automatic will make signaling (important), braking, and keeping an eye on your mirrors. Once you get the hang of a manual you will start to have a hard time driving automatics .

If you are able to practice in the car you will take the test in, it just makes the whole thing a lot easier. Small cars are good as well, although it is more a matter of large cars being a bit harder to drive.

In terms of actually learning to drive it is a matter of practice really, there is just no substitute for it. Every weekend go to a big open space, like an old naval/ air force base, and just practice all of your basic driving techniques (parallel parking, turning smoothly, braking appropriately, etc...). Braking is the very first thing you need to learn, just be ready to kick the brake as hard as you can. Don't go around skidding because you might get in trouble, but make sure you have the brake as your primary "button" so to speak. Turning is not as important as braking at lower speeds. Swerving drastically is always a bad idea. If you are going 25 MPH, you will have a much easier time trying to stop at 30 ft. rather than pull some stunt into the next lane. Lanes are very important. Usually you should ease into your braking by pumping the brake into a full stop. When you need to stop now, you just hit the brake, it is not possible to pump the brake into a sudden stop, the problem is you can fish-tail if you are going to fast, causing you to spin and possibly break the tires or axle.

When you start to drive on the freeway you have other drivers involved, and it can get a bit scary. The main issue is finding the right lane to drive in, mainly because of exiting and avoiding weaving through traffic. If I am driving for more than half an hour on the freeway I will most likely be driving in the farthest lane, so I can go at a faster pace. If I plan to exit soon I will stick with the closest lane to the exits.

All you need to remember is the following:

Elderly: 10 points
Joggers: 15 points
Mothers with baby strollers: 25 points
Other cars: 1 point

BrookM wrote:All you need to remember is the following:

Elderly: 10 points
Joggers: 15 points
Mothers with baby strollers: 25 points
Other cars: 1 point

That's a sig.

Wrexasaur wrote:Honestly I would say the one thing that will make all the difference is driving an automatic. Even if you have a bit of experience with a manual, driving an automatic will make signaling (important), braking, and keeping an eye on your mirrors. Once you get the hang of a manual you will start to have a hard time driving automatics .

Hardly, all you need to do is forget about your left foot and you probably will be a better driver in an automatic knowing how to drive a manual or stickshift as you americans often call it.

by the way luna is your test on the road like in the uk or is it on a marked track?

I still reach for the clutch when I drive an automatic, it starts to get confusing with only two pedals. I even find myself reaching for the stickshift itself sometimes .

I often get asked to drive one of the vans at work which is automatic where as my own car is manual. I get that after the first few minutes but after that I'm fine. Personally I dislike automatics as I quite enjoy driving.

whatwhat wrote:

Wrexasaur wrote:Honestly I would say the one thing that will make all the difference is driving an automatic. Even if you have a bit of experience with a manual, driving an automatic will make signaling (important), braking, and keeping an eye on your mirrors. Once you get the hang of a manual you will start to have a hard time driving automatics .

Hardly, all you need to do is forget about your left foot and you probably will be a better driver in an automatic knowing how to drive a manual or stickshift as you americans often call it.

by the way luna is your test on the road like in the uk or is it on a marked track?

I dunno yet, all i know is my first part is done on a multiple choice test machine.

ok well I'd say it would be a good idea to find out. The theory bit is meant to be the easy part you just go and get done and finished with so you can concentrate on actually learning to drive.

If it's like Australia's the internet questions include many similar and even identical questions to the ones you answer on the day. It's fairly easy.

As for the driving test later on, i got most of my experience driving the family car. Later on though, in the couple of months leading up to the test, i got a qualified driving instructor (with his own vehicle) who knew the test routes back to front. He was also one who offers to sit in on the test, in the same vehicle- which can be good because they make conversation with the assessor in the back seat.

The hardest part of my driving test was easily the computer video situation test. "Hit the spacebar when/if you should break or slow down" should be done with minimal caution. I was over cautious and only just managed to scrape through.

Cheese Elemental wrote:My advice: Take the car and floor it. You should be able to clear the traffic barrier and escape to a life on the run.

Cheesy's correct.

And remember
*Short skirts help, unless you're malf. Flirt with the guy giving you the driving portion of the test. They love that.
*Mirrors are for sissies.
*Road stripes and curbs are merely guidelines.

You might also want to consider practicing as much as possible.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

LunaHound wrote:Hmm while we are at it , any tips for learning to drive? ( dont want to keep making new threads )

Is it anything like:

driving in video games ?
or similar to driving a boat?

*Neither, but video games more closely follow it. While in the vehicles practice thinking about signs, other drivers, when you would start, stop, and turn.
*On the written test. Literally just keep practicing. Then start speed testing (giving yourself less and les time to answer), putting a lot of nooises in the background or other things to stress you slightly. And don't forget bring some Horton's for the driving instructor as well.

Tests in the US are easy.

As a former traffic cop here is some tips: Come to complete stops at stop signs, look both ways, vehicles going stright or turning right have the right of way, and pratice parking.

Also, if you are going to hit a person crossing the street hit the breaks only after the person rolls off the hood and say that the person ran out in front of the car and you will be golden. JK

I just had a go at that test, and found it pretty hard. I got 68%.
With the practical part, if it's on real roads the time you take it can help, I think here the best time is tuesday morning.

The only stuff I was missing was related to yielding to buses.

In Texas you yield to whoever has the largest pickup or SUV, commmonly referred to as "the largest vehicle rule." If you are driving a tank, all other vehicles are required to auto yield to you.

Frazz is right. The tests in America are easy. I managed to get a 95-ish on my learners test and a 100 on my driving test. The main thing to remember is just relax and focus on what you are doing at the time.

Step One. Do not run anyone over.

Step Two. Do not crash.

Step Three. See step One.

Step Four. Bribe them.

For the test.
The real test will cost you money, so practice until you are good.
If you fail the test, you must wait before for a while (a month? more? I dont remember) before you can try it again, so practice until you are good.

About "real" driving
be calm and practice until you are good. it's the only way.

When driving, be alert. Don't let your eyes get stuck in one position. Shift your attention moderately from the road to your mirrors with some glances to the side when necessary.

^^ Especially if that position is "closed"^^

Frazzled wrote:The only stuff I was missing was related to yielding to buses.

In Texas you yield to whoever has the largest pickup or SUV, commmonly referred to as "the largest vehicle rule." If you are driving a tank, all other vehicles are required to auto yield to you.

Man... I know where I am moving to, and what my next work vehicle is!!!

WHEEEEEeeeeeee!!!

OverbossGhurzubMoga wrote:Frazz is right. The tests in America are easy. I managed to get a 95-ish on my learners test and a 100 on my driving test. The main thing to remember is just relax and focus on what you are doing at the time.

Like water and wind you must be young cricket, the ways of the road will confuse you, do not fear the road, it is just a road.

LunaHound wrote:Is it anything like:

driving in video games ?

or similar to driving a boat?

Not unless you have a full-on race simulator.

Boats steer at the rear, rather than the front, so turning is very different.

Do you not have a kids Go-Kart track near you? That's a great way to actually feel the steering and the ground.

Ooh good idea JH. Plus you get to wreak havoc!

Me and the homeys are starting to look for driving schools...for our kids.

oh! I have tips
Mirrors! use them, they are there for a reason. But, don't rely fully on them. Actually lookig out the window to check your mirrors blind spots is super important.

Give yourself plenty of time to brake in all situations.
And in inclimate weather REALLY give yourself extra stopping time. I can't tell you how many people I see that try the "oh, I have a 4x4 so I can drive just like I always do, even in a blizzard."