Urban/Rural Straight

During this part of the exam, you are expected to make regular traffic checks and maintain a safe following distance. Your vehicle should be centered in the proper lane (right-most lane), and you should keep up with the flow of traffic but not exceed the posted speed limit.

Urban/Rural Lane Changes

During the multiple lane portion of the urban and rural sections, you will be asked to change lanes to the left, and then back to the right. You should make the necessary traffic checks first, then use proper signals and smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so.

Expressways

Before entering an expressway:

• Check traffic.
• Use proper signals.
• Merge smoothly into the proper lane of traffic.

Once on the expressway:

• Maintain proper lane positioning, vehicle spacing and vehicle speed.
• Continue to check traffic thoroughly in all directions.

You will be instructed to change lanes:

• Make necessary traffic checks.
• Use proper signals.
• Change lanes smoothly when it is safe to do so.

When exiting an expressway:

• Make necessary traffic checks.
• Use proper signals.
• Decelerate smoothly in the exit lane.
• Once on the exit ramp, continue to decelerate within the lane markings and maintain adequate spacing between your vehicle and other vehicles.

Stop/Start

You will be asked to pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and stop as if you were going to get out and check something on your vehicle. You must check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the rightmost lane or shoulder of road.

As you prepare for the stop:

• Check traffic.
• Activate your right turn signal.
• Decelerate smoothly, brake evenly, change gears as necessary.
• Bring your vehicle to a full stop without coasting.

Once stopped:

• Vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoulder of the road and safely out of the traffic flow.
• Vehicle should not be blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc.
• Cancel the turn signal.
• Activate the four-way emergency flashers.
• Apply the parking brake.
• Move the gear shift to neutral or park.
• Remove your feet from the brake and clutch pedals.

When instructed to resume:

• Check traffic and mirrors thoroughly in all directions.
• Turn off the four-way flashers.
• Activate the left turn signal.
• When traffic permits, release the parking brake and pull straight ahead.
• Do not turn the wheel before your vehicle moves.
• Check traffic from all directions, especially to the left.
• Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper lane when safe to do so.
• Once your vehicle is back into the flow of traffic, cancel the left turn signal.

Curves

When approaching a curve:

• Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
• Before entering the curve, reduce speed so further braking or shifting is not required in the curve.
• Keep vehicle in the lane.
• Continue checking traffic in all directions.