Has anybody here recently taken the New York State Driver's Road Test?

TazExprez

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Aug 7, 2001
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If so, how was it? I am taking mine this Tuesday at 1PM. I wonder what would be the correct way to park? The way I usually park is by holding the steering wheel with one hand while leaning on my chair with the other hand, and looking through the back glass and the passenger side mirror. Today I learned how to park while holding the steering wheel with both hands and just looking at the rear view and passenger side mirrors. Which way would be more appropriate? Also, was the test pretty simple? I learned how to drive last week and think it's pretty simple, except for the parking. I wonder if they want you to park by going back, then foward, then back again, all in one shot? Or could you park it going back and forth several times? Also could you hit the curb a little, or not? Thanks for your help.
 

m2kewl

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Oct 7, 2001
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if you one hand park, they gonna fail your arse. i took mine at red hook, that place was the ghetto. ;)

(this was 15 yrs ago :p)
 

Kevin

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Jan 1, 2002
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You can't hit the curb at all, most instructors will fail you. Ideally you should be able to parallel park in 3 movements and its preferred to back in. Also, be sure you stop long enough at stop signs and when you do the K turn, don't back up too far. Both hands on the wheel at all times and make sure all your mirrors are adjusted...
 

TazExprez

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Aug 7, 2001
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Thanks for your help. Do you think I should look through the rear glass or through the rear view mirror, when backing up?
 

Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Go through the motions and exagerate everything. Pretend to adjust the mirrors etc. Like other have said before, in NYS, do not have both hands leave the wheel when the car is in gear. It's assbackwards and against how real people drive but you gotta go through the motions. You can look through the back window but resist the temptation to take your hand off the wheel. I practiced in a space that had 6" clearance front and back. During the test, all I had was a vehicle in front.

Take a drive around the area with someone. You'll notice a lot of very unusual stop and speed limit signs to try and catch you. My favorite sign when I did this was, "New York State Road Test Area. No Practicing."

I took mine in Yonkers BTW.
 

Kevin

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Jan 1, 2002
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The window, never the mirror. Make sure you move your head. Some of the evaluators are very strict. You have to do everything by the book or they'll just keep deducting points...
 

TazExprez

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Aug 7, 2001
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Thanks a lot. I know mostly everything, but the parking is where I need a little more practice. I learned to park with both hands today. I am taking my test in Baychester and Strang (in the Bronx) because that is where the test was available the fastest, if not I would have taken it in Yonkers. I've practiced everywhere, including there. I noticed a ton of stop signs when I went to practice around that area. I guess they want to test people's alertness.
 

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
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Originally posted by: Kevin
The window, never the mirror. Make sure you move your head. Some of the evaluators are very strict. You have to do everything by the book or they'll just keep deducting points...

Yeah. Man, I was shitting bricks during my test and I had a crown of an instructor. I had points deducted from backing up and moving forward to many times during parallel park. They normally allow you to hit the curb during parallel park, but if you hit either one of the cones, automatic failure.

Just remember how you'll act on the road in a real life situation. Knowing that you wanted every driver around you to know what you're doing at all times.

Like if you wanted to parallel park when their is traffic behind you for instance. You obviously would first put on your turn signal and then line up your car for the park attempt. Any time you are in reverse, always turn your head over your right shoulder to view the back of you. Like Kev said, never resort to your mirror while in reverse.

When making turns, make sure you slow down plenty before the turn. And make sure you turn with both hands on the wheel.
 

LuNoTiCK

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Jan 7, 2001
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I took mine on December 31st. Basically, what windogg says is right. If your going backwards ALWAYS look backwards. Always turn your head to check for blind spots, I even heard it was good to roll down the window so that you can check. Be ready to keep your feet over your breaks for anything basically. Also, just relax. If you fail, it's no big deal, you can just take it again.


I was told in a driving school when you parallel park basically they were saying stop 3 times. The way he explained it is really a pain, but I suppose they might want that. I think 1 motion is fine. Also, when you park, than you just basically straighten up the car.

When I took my test, I didn't keep both my hands on the steering wheel, only one. I took mine in the Bronx, castle hill.
I also heard that most people don't fail on the parallel park.

Good luck. But you really should use more practice.
 

LuNoTiCK

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Jan 7, 2001
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I also want to say that before you park, basically like everyone says signal. Than check your mirror and turn your head left behind you so that you can check your blind spot. Make sure he sees you doing this. Than you can turn your head in the right direction to see whats behind you. And than park.


With stop signs, stop completely, before the line or crosswalk, and than inch up so that you can see.


When you turn, make sure if your going left, you are on the left lane, and end up on the left lane. If your going right, go to the right lane, and turn at the right lane.
 

Kevin

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Jan 1, 2002
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Originally posted by: Regs
Originally posted by: Kevin
The window, never the mirror. Make sure you move your head. Some of the evaluators are very strict. You have to do everything by the book or they'll just keep deducting points...

Yeah. Man, I was shitting bricks during my test and I had a crown of an instructor. I had points deducted from backing up and moving forward to many times during parallel park. They normally allow you to hit the curb during parallel park, but if you hit either one of the cones, automatic failure.

Just remember how you'll act on the road in a real life situation. Knowing that you wanted every driver around you to know what you're doing at all times.

Like if you wanted to parallel park when their is traffic behind you for instance. You obviously would first put on your turn signal and then line up your car for the park attempt. Any time you are in reverse, always turn your head over your right shoulder to view the back of you. Like Kev said, never resort to your mirror while in reverse.

When making turns, make sure you slow down plenty before the turn. And make sure you turn with both hands on the wheel.

No, they don't allow you to hit the curb. And normally in NY, you have to park between cars, not cones. We don't take our tests in parking lots...
 

TazExprez

Senior member
Aug 7, 2001
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Thanks again. Yeah, I need more practice, I've only been driving for a week. I find it very easy, it's just the parking that is a pain the way they want it. I will practice parking the whole day tomorrow and see what happens. I've also gotten on the highway about ten times, or more, and think it's probably the easiest.
 

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
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No, they don't allow you to hit the curb. And normally in NY, you have to park between cars, not cones. We don't take our tests in parking lots...

Ouch. And, normally, we don't take our tests in parking lots either...
 

TazExprez

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Aug 7, 2001
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One more question. If you make a right turn, starting from the right lane, do they want you to keep on the right lane, after the turn? Or could you automatically go on the left, if you wish? I sometimes do the latter.
 

Windogg

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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On the test:
Right turn into the right lane.
Left Turn into the left lane.

Realistically in life, do whatever you want.