How important is staying in the center of your lane?

Question

I failed the driving test today for the following reasons:

Staying in the center of my lane, the instructor said although I stayed within my lane, I was drifted to left of the lane at times. I also failed to do shoulder checks when switching lanes and I also drove slowly which the instructor really seemed to emphasize (she even told me to speed up)....But the thing that really killed me is when I pulled out in front of a city bus (i know it's bad)

Although I had several blunders, alot of these mishaps do not resemble my regular driving, as I opted to use the advice of my mother. For instance, she is always telling me to slow down, even when I'm going below the speed limit, she also tells me NOT to do shoulder checks when switching lanes and just check my mirrors, and lastly she always tells me to stop before the line at a stop sign, which is what I did, but there was no possible way for me to see the on-coming traffic.

Answer 1

Hey man OK see the real issue here isn't what you should be doing/shouldn't be doing - that's important, yes but the way you describe things going down I think you have a more pressing problem:

Confidence.  You're a new driver and people are throwing a lot of information your way.  I think you could benefit from a few confidence building tips.

Staying in your lane:  Drift happens when you're focused too close in front of you.  Try and shift your gaze - your look-point should be well down the road. Try and drive at least a mile ahead with your vision!

Try this on a bike or skateboard and you'll see what I'm talking about.  If you stare at the road right in front of you you'll start to weave.  In driving your hands will follow your eyes.

Speed.  Hey try and forget the speedometer.  With experience it will become second nature and you won't even think about it.  Just give a quick glance to make sure you aren't speeding but try and go with the flow of traffic.  The instructor is getting worried because you're likely going slower than everyone else.

Stops.  Try this tactic - plus I think it's the law in some states.  Stop at the line, now pull forward and check the sidewalk for traffic, now inch forward a little more so you can see the road traffic.  Just plan on stopping more than once and get out of the frame of mind that you "stop, then go".  That's not how it works in reality - you stop, creep, stop a little more, check and THEN go when you've accounted for everything.  Proceed confidently - you aren't guessing or hoping it's clear.

Now you need to drive, drive, drive before your next test so beg, plead do whatever it takes to get your Mom to let you drive with her or another experienced driver  A LOT.  Let her know that the more you drive with an experienced driver the better driver your going to be down the road.  You see you don't get your permit to simply drive a bit to pass the test, you get the permit so you can log the hours required to safely take control by yourself with confidence.

Mirrors - I would sit in the car and play with the mirrors.  Seriously.  Have a buddy run around the car yelling "Can you see me now?" and get those bad boys where you need them to see and feel confident with what they are telling you.  Yeah, do the quick glance to verify BEFORE you begin moving from the lane... just practice it... Signal, check mirror, check blind spot, turn wheel.

I took a pro driving course and the instructor was this English guy who totally rocked.  He totally stressed how important it was for youngsters to practice driving with an experienced driver- most don't do it enough before flying solo.  Let Mom know -- the risk of a later accident decreases dramatically with every 10-20 hours of drive time invested prior to licensing.  Road trip buddy and you drive the entire time!!!  Going to the store?  Here's the keys.  You get the idea.  Drive to school and hand the keys to Mom.

Good luck man!

Answer 2

Staying in the center of your lane is a safety issue.  If you ride right or left, you risk clipping another car.  

You should ALWAYS look over your shoulder before changing lanes.  There is a blind spot that is not seen in your mirrors (thus the name blind spot).  How many cars has your mom hit?  Unless you have a secondary blind spot mirror, you have to make sure no car is there.

And yes, you need to stop behind the white line.  If you cannot see, creep forward after stopping to make sure no one is coming.

Going too slow is dangerous to other vehicles.  You need to keep up with the flow of traffic.  You can actually get a ticket for going too slow and impedeing traffic flow.

Answer 3

Lots of questions here . . .

Everything that David L said was really good.  I may repeat a little.

Evidently staying in the center of the lane was a big deal for your driving instructor.  Where I live there's alot of farm roads with serious potholes.  To stay in the center of the lane is to sustain suspension damage.  But for the driving test, evidently it is important in order to pass.

Shoulder checks are vitally important.  Your mom is simply dead wrong.  When you're going to change lanes, use your mirrors to plan your move, then turn on your signal, then, just before changing lanes, look over your shoulder to be sure what you saw in the mirrors was all there is, then change lanes.

I actually hit a city bus one time when pulling out of a shopping center.  The bus was so big he didn't realize I clipped him, so he didn't stop.  (good thing for me!)  

If you really want to impress a DMV tester, when you stop behind another car at a light, stay far enough behind so you can see the bottom of the rear tires.  That gives you room enough to maneuver around that car in case he stalls.  Plus, if you're hit from behind, you'll have to be pushed alot further before you're pushed into the car ahead.  

Hope you pass your next test.  I flunked my first one too . . . I oozed through a stop sign to turn right just like my dad does!

Answer 4

FIRST>> Do not listen to your mother.  If you are a good driver than drive the way you normally drive

     Use as much care as you can.  Staying in the center of your lane is proper.  Use your mirrors and look over your shoulders if you need to..

     Use your blinkers, your horn,your normal speed and good driving standards

     I have driven a tractor trailer for some 35 years.  Please drive safe so we both stay safe and alive

Answer 5

You are not ready to pass a test. The mistakes you  made could case accidents, don't listen to backseat drivers.

Answer 6

Drifting lanes is VERY dangerous...

Think about it.."two cars drifting at the same time"  BAM!!!

I agree with the over the shoulder look...there is a BLIND spot in mirrors..ALWAYS BE SURE!!!!