Taking the driver’s permit or road test can be an overwhelming process, unless you are prepared. Making sure you know the road rules and road signs for the written permit test and also being able to be successful at taking the driving road test will increase your chances for passing both parts of the test on the first go.
Aside from knowing what you must do to make it through the test, you should also have an understanding of possible myths that might have you confused about the truth of the matter when it comes to the written and road test.
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5 DMV Test Myths You May Have Heard
- 1
If you are a good driver you will pass with no problem
Well, first you may think you are a good driver, but have you ever met someone who admits they are a terrible driver? Most people believe they are good at driving, but they may not actually have a realistic perception of what kind of driver they are, especially when just beginning to drive. Aside from that, it isn’t just about being good at driving; it is about having an obvious understanding of the rules of the road, too.
While taking your driving test, the person who is administering the exam is watching to make sure you do not make too many common mistakes. In fact, there are some mistakes that, on their own, are immediate fails. So, with the myth being that if you are a good driver you will pass without problems, it might be a good idea to understand some of the common things that could cause even a good driver to fail. For example, in one state an immediate fail is if the examiner has to tell you what to do in a situation at any point during the road test.
Here are some very common errors that might prevent you from passing the test:
Some other common mistakes that can add up and make even a good driver fail include rolling through a stop or not stopping completely behind the line. Not knowing what to do at a four way intersection and distracted driving are other issues. Driving too slowly is an indication that the driver lacks confidence and is not ready to be on the road. On the other hand, even doing the speed limit but in conditions that should alert a driver to make a judgment call to slow it down can be another black mark. You can be a great driver but receive an infraction for braking too hard, following too closely or changing lanes while going through an intersection. And actually, if you make the mistake of showing up to take the test in a car that isn’t deemed road worthy, you probably won’t even be taking the test that day.
- 2
If you fail the first time, surely you will automatically pass the second time around.
This is a myth that people have believed about both the written and the road test. First of all, when it comes to the written test, there is little chance you will get the same questions as they’re not typically the same. You may not get a single repeat question, in fact. Test questions are pulled from a database of hundreds of possible selections. If you are planning on remembering your questions from the first time around and checking to make sure you have the right answers the next time, will get you nowhere. If it is the permit test you fail, you should really consider studying the manual over again, from cover to cover. In fact you should also look into taking practice permit tests online, but more on that in a moment.
If it is the road test you have problems with, there is certainly a chance you will not pass a second time or even a third or fourth. It is a good idea to try to find out why you didn’t pass, unless it is obvious. It could even just be a lack of confidence. If you felt you did well but still didn’t pass the examiner may just feel you are not yet confident enough to be on the road and dealing with conditions that could be hectic or in bad weather conditions.
Consider what went wrong and keep working to make it right![lack of confidence]()
The best thing to do is just practice more. Get your friends to give you honest feedback and tips and pointers for how to improve. You also may want to hire a professional driving instructor and make sure you pass the next time around.
- 3
Practice test sites aren’t helpful
By offering you the chance to take free permit practice tests, you are getting a real idea of what to expect on the day of the actual exam. Taking multiple practice permit tests will give you a real clue as to what kind of questions you will get when you take the exam. These sites are designed to give you questions that are as difficult as what the DMV exam will include and should also be specific to the state where you will be taking your test. https://driving-tests.org is your best bet 🙂
Try a practice test today./a>![]()
- 4
Examiners are only allowed to pass a certain amount of new drivers per day
It is unclear why or how this myth was started as examiners have no interest in how anyone does except that the roads are kept safe. That means making sure that only qualified drivers pass the test. On the other hand, there is no quota of passes or fails for a day, week or month.
- 5
All you have to do is plan the route ahead of time and you are sure to pass
While this sounds great, it isn’t true. Often, there is more than one route examiners may take you on. This could vary from person to person on who is administering the test, or even one examiner could have alternate routes to choose from to take applicants on. So, just learn general good driving skills, know the rules of the road and it won’t matter what route you take.
So, know better than to believe these myths and you will be certain to do well when it comes to taking your written or road test.
Remember also, you don’t have to be perfect; you just have to know enough and prove you’re ready and you can be on your way towards getting that drivers license.
