Early Mistakes

• Sometimes the test can be a failed before you even get out of the parking lot. Not being familiar with the car you are using to take the test can be an early mistake. Drivers are often docked points for inability to follow proper starting procedures, not putting on seatbelts, apparent lack of knowledge about driving controls, failure to release parking brakes, jerky starts or not checking for traffic when pulling out onto the street.
  
  

Incomplete Stops

• A quick way to fail a driving test is to make a "rolling stop." A rolling stop is an incomplete stop that is tempting for many drivers. When the driver approaches a stop sign and sees that there is no traffic in the area and feels there is no danger, he may slow down to a crawl and then just accelerate and glide on through the intersection. This is a common mistake that is an illegal move and will result in a failing score on the test.
  
  

Lane Changing

• Changing lanes is a basic part of everyday driving that examinees often have trouble with. They may forget to signal, check mirrors or physically glance over their shoulder before changing lanes or all three. They may even do all three and then not change for fear of hitting something. Any of the above mistakes can lead to deductions on the test score and potential failure.
  
  

Slow Ride

• Some drivers feel that, to avoid a major mistake such as speeding, they should creep along the course of the driving test. The truth is, driving too slow can be dangerous too, and if you are doing 15 miles per hour in a 50-mile-per-hour zone during your test, your instructor will not be impressed. Unfortunately, it is a natural tendency for some nervous drivers to slow down to a snail's pace to help them avoid making other mistakes.
  
  

Overly Cautious Driving

• Drivers taking the test can be too cautious during the road test, causing them to fail and try again later. This happens when drivers give the wrong people right of way to clear the traffic in front of them or refuse to switch lanes because they are afraid. These fearful drivers are dangerous to others on the road and can also annoy other drivers. This leads to many failing scores for student drivers.