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How to Pass a Driving Test

Driving Test-Turning Maneuvers

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Steve Williams
V.P. Operations, National Driver Training Institute
www.nationaldrivertraining.com  
800-942-2050

Steve Williams graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1995.  At the same time, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Transportation Corps.  Steve was stationed at Fort Carson, where he was the Battalion Safety Officer for the 68th Corps Support Battalion, the largest battalion on the installation.  He left the Army in 2000 and came to work for the National Driver Training Institute as production manager. 

Steve earned his Driver Education Instructor Certification in New Mexico and became licensed to administer driving skills tests in Colorado.  He now serves as Vice President of Operations and a member of the Board of Directors. 

Driving Test-Turning Maneuvers

Driving instructor / tester, Steve Williams, demonstrates proper turning maneuvers for a driving skills test.

This series: 389,538 views

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Tags:

Driving

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Test

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Drive

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Turning

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Lane changes

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Traffic laws

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Parallel park

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Speed limit

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Safety check

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Transcripts

Steve Williams: I am Steve Williams with the National Driver Training Institute and we are learning how to pass the driving test. In this segment, I am going to show you how to make proper turns. I want to focus on the proper hand position on the steering wheel while turning as well as the proper lane position and proper stop position at the stop signs and traffic lights. I also want to show you how to correctly search the driving environment for hazards and how to determine right of way.

The proper stop position is a critical component of your turn. Notice how Sherie stops all the way before the white line. When she makes her left turn, she is going to swing all the way out to the first lane going her direction of travel. Failure to stop at a stop sign or a traffic light will fail your test. Stop before the white line and hold your stop position for one full second before proceeding.

Notice how Sherie stops all the way before the white line. If you have to move up to see traffic that's perfectly acceptable. As long as you stopped in the right place to start with. As you are driving along, the driving tester will watch to see if you are watching the driving environment, you need to check or left or right as you pass cul de sac and side streets. When you approach a through street you need to check left, right and left again.

When making U turns signal early three to five seconds before you turn. Proper hand position is a crucial part of your turning maneuvers. When you are not turning your hands should be ten and two or nine and three on the steering wheel for balanced control. When you make a turn make sure you use both hands and share the wheel between them. Most of your turning maneuvers will take place at controlled intersections with either a stop sign or a traffic light.

It's important that you recognize who has the right of way. On regular stop signs they aren't four way stops, you must wait until all other traffic has passed and it's totally clear. Four way stops make people nervous because there are two rules instead of one. As you approach the stop, see if anyone is there before you. The first person to arrive at the stop sign is the first person to go. If two vehicles arrive at a four way stop at the same time the vehicle on the left will yield right of way and the vehicle on the right will go first.

In the next segment, we are going to focus on lane changes. I want to show you the three step process for a lane change and make sure you know how to keep a steady lane position when you look over your shoulder.

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