QuestionQUESTION: 1. If I had to drive around a parked car on a two-way street without a dividing line, and doing so would result in my crossing the center of the road, would I need to signal this? Or would signalling only be required if there is a dividing line?
2. Would I be allowed to change the positioning of my mirrors during the road test? (I.e. Set them in one position for driving but change said position for parking.)
3. For the highway portion of the test: When changing lanes, how far behind would I need to make sure the car I'll be moving in front of is? I.e. I know that cutting-in in front of someone would probably result in my failure, but what if the highway is busy and finding a spot where I'd end up at least two seconds away from both the car in front and the one behind is impossible?
4. If keeping completely to the right after making a right turn would put me in one of those short bus lanes sometimes placed in front of bus stops near intersections, do I still need to keep to the right and then switch lanes (signalling and everything), or should I just skip this rightmost "lane" and right away turn into the next one?
5. Would bumping into the curb while trying to parallel park automatically result in my failure?
Thank you for your time!
ANSWER: You need to read your state's drivers license manual, available for free at any DMV/Sec of state office.
But I will try to apply some logic to your questions:
1. If there is no dividing line, and it is a two lane road with a parking lane on one side (one way road from what you describe) then no, I would not think you need to signal. Just keep in the driving lane, and don't drive in the parking lane.
2. I am not a believer in moving mirrors down for parking. For one, if you can see your rear wheels, you CAN't see the car behind you very well. I would say, adjust your mirrors for best view when driving (be sure to aim them out so you can just barely see the side of the car, you want to see more into the "blind" spots than what the side of your car is doing). If you have electric mirrors that can be programmed to move down in reverse, then try that, but again, I don't like that, I guess it is what you get used too. I would recommend you NOT get used to repositioning your mirrors. You should be able to get enough practice to be able to judge where your wheels are most of the time.
Check with your State Police/DMV/SEC of STATE to be sure.
3. I was taught that when you can see the entire front end of the car you passed in the INSIDE mirror without leaning forward etc, you can safely pull in. This is a bit of overkill, but I don't think you can go wrong with this. Don't use your side mirror for this estimate because it has that convex mirror that makes things look far away, and youcan easily misjudge distances. Once you pull in front, it is the car behind that is responsible for maintaining the 2 second interval. Again, check with your State Police/DMV/SEC of STATE to be sure.
4. When making that right turn, you should turn into the nearest DRIVING lane available. (same with turning left, go into the nearest LEFT lane instead of crossing a lane to go far right).
Example: If you have two lanes turning right, and there are three lanes available, traffic lane on the left, traffic lane to the right of it, and bus lane, then obviously, take the traffic lane to the right and avoid the bus lane.
IF there are two lanes turning left and only two lanes available, and one is a bus lane (highly unlikely) then you should use the bus lane, signal and move left as soon as it is safe.
5. I am not sure, but I think it would. You are supposed to be able to make that in one smooth motion, and bumping into the curb would make it a two-three motion park. Also, most books say you are to be about a foot away from the curb when finished, so if you finish with a tire slightly rubbing the curb, but still made one smooth motion, you may still fail. Be sure to get plenty of practice at this.
Don
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: 1. Actually I meant a two-way road (cars going in different direction), not a one-way one. And one with NO markings or dividing lines, whether for separating cars going in different direction or for parking. Would I need to signal in that case?
Thanks for replying.
AnswerThe answer is still the same, and even more simple, you turn into the driving lane. If the parked vehicle is blocking that lane, you should then signal and proceed just as if you are passing a car.
Although there are no lines, be sure that there are also no SIGNS saying no passing zone! If they are absent, then pass away after checking all directions, signaling and passing safely.
Don
