General

[quote=amin45678]then you hit someone 3 hours later and didn't know what to do about it[/quote]

my test didn't mention what to do when you hit someone

Blindspots are where your mirrors can't see, normally by the passenger doors of your car. However, if your car is small enough and/or your mirrors are large enough, you can largely eliminate these spots with proper adjustments. Don't try and do this unless your instructor has told you how.

Glance to your blindspots; don't strain your neck and head all the way around. That said, during the test, you should be exaggerating all of your movements so they know you know what you're doing.

You should always be checking your mirrors; it's good practice and a good habit to get into. I check mine roughly every 5 seconds, but you can find a time interval you're comfortable with.

My order is normally Rear Mirror, Side Mirror, Indicate, Side Mirror, Rear Mirror, Merge. Only looking at the side mirror corresponding with the lane I'm changing into. I'll check my blindspots if I'm merging onto a highway or turning onto a new road, but if you check your mirrors often enough, and presuming they're adjusted properly, you'll catch things before they get into your blindspots.

Depends on the severity of the curve and your speed. There's no rule of thumb. You'll figure things out as you get more practice.

Again, the speed at which you should turn is something you'll figure out as you get comfortable with the car. They won't deduct if you're turning too slowly, as long as you're not inching around corners. My general procedure is to brake and downshift to 30-40 km/h, and hold that speed with the gas pedal as I'm entering the corner, and once I get around the apex of the corner, I begin accelerating to my former speed.

[quote=camarodriver]i ailed the written test the first time, then i guessed allh e answeres the second time and passed, driving was super easy[/quote]

then you hit someone 3 hours later and didn't know what to do about it

@fradddd: those classes aren't bs since everything I told you was from the class I took like 5months ago. and around here youare Required to take it

@dawnemperor: everyone I know says those classes are BS
I learned enough from driving around for 20 hours with my mom and dad. I think I'm a pretty good driver now.

[quote=greatromantic]-Is the "blind spot" the visible area through the BACK-SIDE (right/left) windows?

- When people say "Check your blindspots"----are you supposed to look ALL THE WAY to the back, or just look at the BACK-SIDE window? Or do they mean turn your head as far as you can to check for traffic?

-Are you supposed to turn your head (to check your blindspot) on ANY road (suburban area, urban area, HIGHWAY/FREEWAY)? Or is it only necessary for higwhays/freeways? If I don't turn my turn during the driving test, will I fail?

-Someone told me you should always check your mirrors every 10 seconds---is this true? What if I don't do this on the driving test, will I fail?-------WHEN should I be constantly checking my mirrors/blindspots? Residential areas? Commercial areas? Suburbs? Highway/freeway?

-When changing lanes, I was told that you only need to look at the REAR-VIEW MIRROR and the MIRROR IN WHATEVER DIRECTION YOU ARE CHANGING INTO, and also check that side's blindspot? Is that true? Or do I check both SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS when changing lanes? Or just the side I'm merging into?

-When should I start to slow down when there is a CURVED/TURNED ROAD (especially if there is a curve/turn on a highway/freeway)? 50ft before the curve? 100ft? Or Just at the beginning of where it starts?

-My brother says I'm "too slow" when I turn (turning in regular neighborhood intersections)----am I supposed to let go of the GAS when I turn at a corner/intersection? Or is my foot still supposed to be on the gas when turning? I always let go of the gas when I turn on a corner, is that okay? Or am I going to slow on turns? My turns are like 5-10MPH...lol.....on the driving test, will I get points deducted if I turn too slowly?[/quote]

The blindspot is going to be right next to your car on the left and right, it's strange because you can't see a car there unless you physically turn and look.

glance behind you to the left or right to check

you should be constantly checking your mirrors during the driving test. don't even count just be constantly checking. make sure the instructor can tell you are looking.

don't count the feet, but it depends on the curve. you don't want to brake too hard during the test so don't drive too fast. slow down over a period of time and go from there.

You want to brake leading up to a turn and gas while turning. It sounds weird but you'll get used to it as you start driving more.

@fradddd: you are supposed to take the classes to help you... if you aren't even gonna spend 6hours to help you for the rest of your life i don't know what to say.

[quote=greatromantic]The reason I had those questions up above *about lanes/blindspots* is because my older brother is a terrible teacher and doesn't know how to explain things.[/quote]

The California DMV handbook - because I used it - demonstrates blind spots with a drawing. It's on page 36 of the booklet / page 46 of the PDF.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/web/eng_pdf/dl600.pdf

Your blind spots are where you cannot normally see the road even when checking mirrors. These spots are directly to your right and left. You check your blind spots before merging to see if a car beside you or behind you in another lane wants to merge into the same lane you intend to merge into. Failure to do so can result in you driving the side of your car into the side of another car because you both merged into the same lane at the same time.

[quote=greatromantic]- When people say "Check your blindspots"----are you supposed to look ALL THE WAY to the back, or just look at the BACK-SIDE window? Or do they mean turn your head as far as you can to check for traffic?[/quote]

You glance over your shoulder, pretty much a 90 degree turn. Don't twist your torso because you may jerk the wheel and cause an accident. Your field of view is wide enough that you don't need to face all the way to the back. You check to see if there's a car or pedestrian coming at you from those directions during a turn or lane merge.

[quote=greatromantic]-Are you supposed to turn your head (to check your blindspot) on ANY road (suburban area, urban area, HIGHWAY/FREEWAY)? Or is it only necessary for higwhays/freeways? If I don't turn my turn during the driving test, will I fail?[/quote]

You do this for all roads. Neglecting to check blind spots during the driving portion of the license test is not unusual grounds for failure.

[quote=greatromantic]-Someone told me you should always check your mirrors every 10 seconds---is this true? What if I don't do this on the driving test, will I fail?-------WHEN should I be constantly checking my mirrors/blindspots? Residential areas? Commercial areas? Suburbs? Highway/freeway?

-When changing lanes, I was told that you only need to look at the REAR-VIEW MIRROR and the MIRROR IN WHATEVER DIRECTION YOU ARE CHANGING INTO, and also check that side's blindspot? Is that true? Or do I check both SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS when changing lanes? Or just the side I'm merging into?[/quote]

As long as you are consistent, glances every 5-10 second are good. Checking rarely or not at all is grounds for failure. Checking the mirror before braking is also good because you are able to assess your situation more effectively. For instance, you may have to brake earlier and gentler if an asshole of a tailgater is behind you so as to reduce the risk of accident.

When merging, you check the side you are merging into. You also want to check at least two mirrors which will be a side mirror and the rear view mirror. Checking blind spots on both sides is an unnecessary waste of time in this case.

[quote=greatromantic]-When should I start to slow down when there is a CURVED/TURNED ROAD (especially if there is a curve/turn on a highway/freeway)? 50ft before the curve? 100ft? Or Just at the beginning of where it starts?[/quote]

Each turn and curve is different. Sometimes speed limits are posted. Otherwise, you just have to get used to driving on the road and handling your car.

[quote=greatromantic]-My brother says I'm "too slow" when I turn (turning in regular neighborhood intersections)----am I supposed to let go of the GAS when I turn at a corner/intersection? Or is my foot still supposed to be on the gas when turning? I always let go of the gas when I turn on a corner, is that okay? Or am I going to slow on turns? My turns are like 5-10MPH...lol.....on the driving test, will I get points deducted if I turn too slowly?[/quote]

You're doing it right.

More experienced and more impatient drivers are the ones cornering turns at 25 mph.

[quote=greatromantic]Also, we tried reverse parking into a parking space....and uhh...I suck at that, and if we do that with real cars around, it'll be really bad. Lol.

The thing is, with reverse parking, I don't know how CLOSE I should be to the back of the cars, and how many spaces away I should be away from the parking space I want to park in (standard size vehicle---maybe just like 1foot-1.5feet longer..... at the most).[/quote]

There's no point practicing this. You have more important things to work on. The DMV does not test back-in or parallel parking.

[quote=greatromantic]I can drive in "normal" situations pretty well, but when it comes to changing lanes (especially on high-speed roads/traffic)---i'm always afraid to check my blind spots because I feel if I turn my head, something will hit me from the front of the car....Also I feel that even when I look into the rear-view mirrors or side-view mirrors, I feel like I might get hit while even taking a short glance at them...[/quote]

Good. Cocky drivers are bad. You're only supposed to glance and not look for too long. As long as you have the cushion, the space, between your car and the car in front of you, there will be enough time to react if traffic slows down.

As already mentioned, when glancing over your shoulder, you only really need to turn your head. Don't go rotating your shoulders with it.

[quote=greatromantic]Also, Should I be SLOWING DOWN when I check my mirrors or checking my blindspot? or just keep the same speed?[/quote]

You typically maintain speed.

-yes
-just turn your head to check, don't turn your entire body because that can make you swerve. you can at most tilt your shoulders a little
-any. even if you're merging onto a turning lane. you may get points deducted
-uh, not every 10 seconds, but often enough to be aware of your surroundings. you may get points deducted. you should be checking your mirrors/blindspot whenever you're turning or merging in any area
-check rear view, whatever side mirror you're merging/turning, and blind spot
-bout 50ft
-yes, you let go of gas, then while your steering wheel is turning back into a straight position, lightly push on the gas. key word, WHILE the steering wheel is turning back into position, don't do it when you're already going straight because that'd be too slow and can cause traffic. 5 mph is a bit slow, 10/15 mph is a good range for beginners. you probably will get points deducated. always check for pedestrians

I come from a family that can't afford to pay for my "Behind the wheel" classes. I have my permit though, but my driving isn't where it should be.

The reason I had those questions up above *about lanes/blindspots* is because my older brother is a terrible teacher and doesn't know how to explain things.

We tried parallel parking the other day...and umm..,yeah...he sucks at teaching. I watched some videos on youtube and got the gist of it, but it's still a little hard.

Note: we practiced in an empty school parking lot for parallel parking. Using to Parking spots to simulate the parallel parking---not sure how well this portrays actual parallel parking.

Also, we tried reverse parking into a parking space....and uhh...I suck at that, and if we do that with real cars around, it'll be really bad. Lol.

The thing is, with reverse parking, I don't know how CLOSE I should be to the back of the cars, and how many spaces away I should be away from the parking space I want to park in (standard size vehicle---maybe just like 1foot-1.5feet longer..... at the most).

I can drive in "normal" situations pretty well, but when it comes to changing lanes (especially on high-speed roads/traffic)---i'm always afraid to check my blind spots because I feel if I turn my head, something will hit me from the front of the car....Also I feel that even when I look into the rear-view mirrors or side-view mirrors, I feel like I might get hit while even taking a short glance at them...

I'm good at driving the car on a straight road...and I can do turns (slow turns---5-10mph) at intersections. I look in every direction when I get to a stop sign or heavy intersection. But I'm just really scared when it comes to things like making decisions on "high-stakes" roads (highways/freeways).

Also, Should I be SLOWING DOWN when I check my mirrors or checking my blindspot? or just keep the same speed?

@dawnemperor I got my license after I turned 17 so I just had to [lie about getting] 50 hours of driving time on a log sheet, and take the physical driving test. No classes for me!
But also no girlfriend cause I couldn't drive my junior year crush places even though she asked all the time.

if you want to be comfortable, hop into yur car and dont drive...

just increase your "seat time"

get familiar with its own blind spots...

like, stand right outside yur parked car, look at everything behind it, go inside, notice what is blocked.

Blindspot is like your backseat to behind your vehicle cause that spot is unseen by your mirrors. And yes always check it when making any lane change/turns on any road.
Checking your blindspot is just like looking at the headrest backseat across from you.

I never really check my mirrors, they are there to make sure others aren't messing up and coming to kill u.

Changing lanes is: if youa re making a right turn, you look at rearview mirror, right mirror, then blindspot. If everything is ok you make the turn.

10-15mph is the desired turning rate.

You learn all of this stuff in driving school which you HAVE to take 6hrs of.

-Blindspot is where your mirror can't see. I think it's through the front windows. So, when you change lanes, you look in your mirror then your window. Also, when you're backing out you're supposed to look out the back windows. I dunno, I just check everywhere I can think of that makes sense.

-They mean to look where I said above. Your rearview mirror is for seeing directly behind you.

-Eh, 10 seconds is an exaggeration. It really only matters if the traffic is changing around a lot, or when you're trying to change lanes or something. Like in downtown Denver where there are one way streets and you don't know where you're going. If you're going straight on a freeway, it's kinda important to watch what's in front of you, because people will slow down, try to cut you off or get into your lane, etc. Make sure your driving tester notices you check your mirrors a few times though, cause I was wearing sunglasses when I took my test, so I was just using my eyeballs, and that was the one thing the instructor penalized me for, cause she thought I wasn't checking.

-You can be as cautious as you want. It's really only logical to check the rearview and the mirror on the side you're moving to. Also, on places with many lanes, make sure the car parallel to you isn't gonna switch into the same lane as you, since you might not be able to see their blinker.

-You'll get used to how far ahead to slow down from your specific car's brakes. I kinda like driving dangerously, so I brake pretty late cause I like to feel the g-force. It depends on the curve and how sharp it is and such. On full turns at a stoplight or whatever, most people go about 10-15 mph, depending how fast they were going and how sharp the turn is. My car can only handle going a maximum of 40 mph onto a 90 degree turn without skidding, and it's an Acura Integra, which supposedly has some of the best handling ever.

-I drove below the speed limit for a while too, mostly because I was being cautious of my dad telling me to slow down. But once I started driving myself, and I felt more confident, I went the speed limit. And now it's been about a year and a month since I got my license, and I'm pretty sure I go 10+ mph over the speed limit most of the time without realizing it.

Trust me, once you get used to it, you won't think about these things. It took me half a year for it to all feel natural.