Q&A - Can I be Failed for Driving Slowly?
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Can i fail the class 7 road test for driving 40-45 in 50 zone if I'm not impeding traffic (not a busy town) rarely much traffic.
Can i fail the class 7 road test for driving 40-45 in 50 zone if I'm not impeding traffic (not a busy town) rarely much traffic.
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Answer
I wrote an article on slow driving and received a comment from a user that claims to be an ICBC driving examiner. Their answer was that it is common to fail a driver during a road test if they are driving slow enough to hold up traffic. If you don't impede traffic, hopefully you will have nothing to worry about.
Yes you can be failed.
You WILL be impeding traffic on the ICBC test no matter what, traffic doesn't travel by the ICBC rules.
Ignore the flashies, honkies and crazies. Just pretend that this is Sunday 5am - and there are no cars around.
On the test, instructors particularly look for those shoulder checks on every turn and lane switch.
As far as the speed limit: if that needle touches 50km/h in a 50 zone, it's a tick, 3 of those and you fail.
You are expected to to accelerate to 49km/h
as fast as possiblebriskly, without hitting 50km/h.Driving slow is not an option at all - everyone I know who drove "slow" failed.
(My untested theory on driving slow on ICBC test:
Consistently driving "slow" will get your instructor bored, and you will be rejected once the boredom bar reaches 100%.
If driving slow, try telling funny jokes. If jokes are not your forte: a sudden turn towards the curb and back away may also keep the instructor entertained.)
Keep both hands on the wheel. Count till 3 on EVERY STOP LINE! (Don't count out loud).
Don't yap, instructors are very stressed creatures, your nervous yapping will break them!
Act cool if you missed a turn.
Acknowledge instructions in a cool, clear, military style baritone - "Roger that whiskey foxtrot"
P.S.
Don't show up in a lowered sports coupe, with techy aluminum spoiler, custom painted wheels, 100% tint, subs and neon lights. Instructors don't understand teen angst.
Excuse me?
As I used to be a Driver Examiner, I take exception to several of these comments, simply because they're incorrect.
A final thought about speed, driving slowly, and like that. Before your Road Test commences, during the preamble, the Driver Examiner will advise you that he/she wants you to drive as you would normally, obeying all signs, signals, and road markings; they will encourage you to ask questions if you're unclear on anything. They will hope for a nice, normal, smooth, logical driving performance from you; but they know you're nervous and will try to take that into account. And remember - the DE doesn't pass or fail you. You do.