Monday, August 3, 2009

How To Pass The Wisconsin Road Test

Before taking the road test, it is important that you have already studied the driver handbook and had enough practice driving.

Below is a short study guide or checklist to easily remember and confidently execute what the examiner will ask you to do.


GETTING IN YOUR CAR

  1. Buckle up

  2. Check your mirrors

  3. Start the engine

CHECKING YOUR CONTROLS (The examiner will ask you to operate your controls before he/she gets in your car)

  1. Wipers

  2. Brake lights

  3. Turn Signals

  4. Headlights


BACKING UP

  1. Look left, right, rear* (make it obvious to the tester by turning your head enough without overdoing it)

  2. Turn signal on (to the direction you are backing)

  3. Gear on "Reverse"

  4. Look over right shoulder while backing

  5. Back slow and straight (and just once)

  6. To resume driving - check left, right, rear*

  7. Turn signal on

  8. Gear on "Drive"

  9. Turn to proper lane**


CHECK YOUR REAR MIRROR EVERY 6-8 SECONDS (on business and residential areas)


ALWAYS CHECK the SPEED LIMITS AND SIGNS (get close to but not over the speed limit)


RIGHT TURN

  1. Upon instruction and before reaching corner - look front, left, right, rear*

  2. Turn signal on (at least 100 ft)

  3. If changing lanes to go to farthest right lane - look over right shoulder (before changing lanes)

  4. If already on the farthest right lane, before actual turn - look front, left, right

  5. Turn to proper lane**


CHANGING LANES

  1. Upon instruction, look left, right, rear*

  2. Turn signal on

  3. Look over shoulder (before changing lanes)


LEFT TURN

  1. Upon instruction and before reaching corner - look front, left, right, rear*

  2. Turn left signal on (at least 100 ft)

  3. If changing lanes to go to farthest left lane, look over left shoulder (before changing lanes)

  4. If already on the farthest left lane, before actual turn - look left, right, across, left

  5. Turn on proper lane**

INTERSECTION WITH STOP

  1. In approaching intersection - look left, right, rear

  2. Slow down and stop (completely stop and yield to right traffic; if traffic is clear, resume driving)

UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTION (be alert to approaching intersections without stop signs which are usually found on sidestreets or residential areas but not on major roads)

  1. Slow down, with foot over brake (not on brake, just ready to brake)

  2. Check rear*, left, right

  3. Yield to traffic on right


PULLING TO THE CURB

  1. Look left, right, rear*

  2. Look over right shoulder

  3. Turn signal on

  4. Pull to the curb nice and slow, 1 ft from curb (use your right mirror to guide you)

  5. For hill park - turn wheels & park brake (remember in uphill park - wheels are turned left away from the curb and for downhill park - wheels are turned right towards the curb)

  6. To resume driving - look left, right, rear

  7. Turn left signal on

  8. Look over left shoulder

  9. Resume driving (accelerate smoothly)

PARALLEL PARKING

  1. Check rear*

  2. Turn right signal on

  3. Gear on "Reverse"

  4. Look over right shoulder while backing-

  5. Park 1 ft from curb, 2 ft between the cars

  6. To resume driving - look left, right, rear*

  7. Gear on "Drive"

  8. Turn left signal on

  9. Look over left shoulder

  10. Resume driving (accelerate smoothly)

Y-TURN

  1. Check rear*

  2. Look over right shoulder

  3. Turn right signal on

  4. Pull to curb

  5. Look over left shoulder

  6. Turn left signal on

  7. Make a left angle turn

  8. Look left and right

  9. Turn right signal on (to back up)

  10. Look over right shoulder while backing (slow and just once)

  11. Turn left signal on

  12. Look left and right

  13. Resume driving (accelerate smoothly)


* Rear refers to rear mirror, not looking back to the rear

** If turning left, turn to the farthest left lane; if turning right, turn to the farthest right lane; if there is a blockage or construction on the lane you're turning to, go around it and get back on that lane. More importantly, make sure you are not turning to a lane for oncoming traffic.



IMPORTANT TIPS:


  • Read and study the above checklist by trying to imagine how you would execute the above instructions.

  • Make a reviewer by rewriting the above checklist but retaining only the words in capital letters. This will make your reviewer short and easy to remember. You may customize your reviewer to include details that would help you remember.

  • Read your reviewer daily until you have memorized it.

  • Once you have the instructions for every maneuver memorized, visualize executing them calmly, smoothly and confidently as if you are doing it for real already (it helps to move your hands pretending that you're driving).

  • After practicing the above through visualization, practice in real driving with a licensed driver.

  • Read the road test study guide online at http://wwww.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/class-d.htm.

  • Schedule a road test appointment through the DMV web site http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/schedule.htm or by calling 800-924-3570 (Milwaukee area).

  • Practice with a licensed driver at the DMV location where you are scheduled to take the test. Drive around to get familiar with the roads where the examiner might take you.

  • During the actual road test, don't take your cell phone with you or at least turn it off.

  • Don't forget to bring your learner's permit, check or cash and other requirements.

  • Be relaxed and friendly with your examiner. Let him/her do most of the talking. Listen attentively. If don't understand, politely ask him/her to repeat the instruction.

If you follow the above guidelines, study and practice well, you should be able to ace your road test. Good luck!