What to avoid on your G2 test

Worried about passing your G2 test? The final hurdle to becoming a fully licensed driver, the G2 test is known to be a hard nut to crack. Anecdotal evidence indicates you can boost your odds by taking the test in a smaller city with a high pass rate. But experts say the safe money is on maxing out your in-car practice time, so that driving smoothly, knowing your car, and following the rules of the road becomes second nature. It also helps to know what might trip you up: here are 10 common mistakes that will sink your G2 test.

1. Not holding the steering wheel correctly

Keep your hands on the wheel during your road test, whether in the “10 and 2” or “9 and 3” position. Don’t let the wheel “slip back” into place after a turn; always use the hand-over-hand method to display your control of the vehicle.

2. Turning right on a red

Watch those signs. A no-right-turn-on-red intersection will probably be in the mix on your G2 test.

3. Forgetting to signal your turns….

…including during each step of a three-point turn, and that final turn into your parking spot at the DriveTest centre.

4. Driving at the speed of highway traffic

For safety’s sake, you follow the speed of highway traffic around you – as you were advised in your classroom and in-car driving lessons at a respected national driving school. And fail. Because the test requirement is you follow the Highway Traffic Act to the letter. If the speed limit is 100km/hour, don’t drive 110km/hour during your road test.

5. Driving at the speed of city traffic

Ditto for city driving: Even if you stick out like a sore thumb as that molasses-slow car driving right at, or slightly under, the speed limit, it’s essential during your road test.

6. Not checking your mirrors

Scan them every five seconds or so. Check them before and after you turn. Check them before a lane change (don’t forget to use a shoulder check for your blind spot!), and right after. Check them before you stop, at a stop sign or otherwise. And don’t be subtle in your movements: move your head so your tester sees what you’re doing.

7. Worrying about offending other drivers

Your tester doesn’t care if you get honked at for driving at the speed limit while everyone around you is speeding. Nor will they penalize you for taking your sweet time reversing into a parallel parking spot. Nor for waiting your turn rather than letting another car wave you through at a four-way stop sign. Follow the rules and take the time to get a maneuver correctly, regardless of what’s going on around you.

8. Not asking questions

If you don’t understand a question or direction from your examiner, ask them to elaborate. Don’t guess.

9. Rolling stops

Stop for at least two to three seconds at any stop sign.

10. Parallel Parking

It’s the bane of every new driver’s existence, and for a reason. Practice, practice, practice.



For many aspiring G license holders, taking a few refresher-driving lessons with a professional instructor can make all the difference in the weeks before G2 test day.

Good Luck!

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