5 Ways First Time Drivers in Canada Can Prepare for Their Test

Are you a resident of Canada and ready to take your driver’s test? Then you’ll want to be prepared.

A driver’s license test is certainly nerve-wracking and many first-time drivers worry that they will fail. However, if you are well-prepared and practiced, you can pass your road test with flying colors.

That’s why it’s necessary to learn the best ways to prepare for your test.

Read more to learn about the 5 ways first-time drivers in Canada can prepare for their test.

1. Prepare for Your Written Test

Before taking any physical test, you will need to take a written assessment. In order to study for the exam, you will need to buy a driver’s handbook for the location in Canada in which you reside.

If you reside in Ontario, Canada, you will take the G1 course which provides an e-learning course online to help you prepare.

The driver’s handbook will teach you all the material that will likely be present on your test. This includes laws on stoplights, stop signs, turn signals, changing lanes, and other important driving laws in Canada. It will also likely go over driver safety precautions like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or texting and driving.

Generally, there are about 2 sections of 40 questions and you must score at least 80% with at least 16 correct in each section.

After passing your written test, you are eligible for a learner’s license which means you can drive under specific restrictions.

2. Prepare for Your Road Test

In order to receive your driver’s license, you will need to successfully pass your road test. This part of license testing is what first time drivers find the most intimidating because you are physically operating the vehicle.

G2 Test

If you are 19-years-old and have had your learner’s license for at least 12 months you will be eligible to take a G2 road test. During this test, you will drive with a licensed instructor who will grade you on various driving abilities on local roads.

This includes properly stopping at traffic lights and stop signs, adhering to traffic signs, making u-turns and three-point turns (also called a k-turn or a broken u-turn), and lane changing.

You will also need to be familiar with different forms of parking such as parallel parking, forward parking, and reverse parking.

If you fail the G2 test you may retake it after at least 10 days.

G Test

If you wish to advance your license to a G test you can do so after two years of having your G2 license or eight months if you’ve taken driver’s education classes. The G test is the most desirable as there are no specific restrictions besides following driving laws.

The G test will take place on highways and also go over what you have done on the G2 test.

If you fail the G test, you will also need to wait a minimum of 10 days to retake it.

3. Pre-Driving Preparations

Your test doesn’t begin when you start driving. It begins the moment you sit down in the car with your instructor.

This means you must take the proper safety precautions immediately before driving off. Remember to adjust your mirrors, seat, and buckle your seatbelt.

Also, make sure that there are no external distractions like the radio and make sure your turn signals are properly working.

It’s highly recommended to arrive early to your test to make sure there are no serious issues with your car that could result in failure of your exam. It also may help ease some of your nerves.

Before you pull out of your parking spot, always be sure you check your mirrors and signal. Many drivers forget this because they are so focused on the driving and parking portion of the test.

4. Avoid Breaking/Accelerating Too Hard

While it may seem minor, test instructors will immediately deduct points off your test for things like braking or accelerating too hard. Slamming on your breaks typically happens to drivers upon approaching a stop sign, a red light, or a stopped car that they weren’t paying attention to.

Be sure to begin slowing down whenever approaching an area you need to stop at to give you ample time to come to a steady, complete stop.

Likewise, many new drivers will also accelerate too quickly while pulling out of a spot or making a turn. This shows the tester that you don’t have proper control over the gas pedal and could also lead to a deduction in points.

5. Clarify Directions/Ask Questions

Often, drivers’ nerves will get the best of them and they’ll be too scared to ask for clarification on a specific direction. However, this could make a huge difference in passing your road test.

If the instructor tells you something that is confusing or unclear, be sure to reiterate what they’ve said. If you don’t, you could wind up following the directions incorrectly leading to a deduction in points or complete failure of your test.

If you take driving lessons, be sure to also ask your instructor exactly what to expect on your test and the exact things that your tester will be looking for.

License Test for First Time Drivers

This guide taught 5 ways to help first-time drivers in Canada prepare for their license test. Overall, getting your license can be overwhelming, but following these tips will help things go smoothly.

So, start practicing and ace that test!

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