Getting your driver's licence in Canada is a big deal, but common mistakes can cost you the test. Examiners look for safe, confident driving, and avoiding critical errors is key. Here are the seven most frequent mistakes learners make - and how you can avoid them:
- Not Checking Blind Spots: Always do a shoulder check before lane changes, turns, or parking.
- Poor Lane Changes: Signal early, check mirrors, and maintain a steady speed.
- Rolling Through Stop Signs: Come to a full stop and scan the intersection properly.
- Driving at Wrong Speeds: Stick to speed limits and adjust for conditions.
- Missing Pedestrian Crosswalks: Yield to pedestrians and stop completely when required.
- Following Too Close or Too Far: Use the three-second rule for safe spacing.
- Getting Distracted While Driving: Stay focused; avoid phones, eating, or fiddling with controls.
Passing your test is about preparation and forming safe driving habits. Practise these skills, stay alert, and focus on smooth, deliberate actions. With enough practice, you'll be ready to pass with confidence.
1. Not Checking Blind Spots
Blind spots are those tricky areas that your mirrors just can’t cover. In Canada, failing to check them during a driving test can result in an automatic fail. And honestly, it’s not just about passing a test - it’s about keeping everyone on the road safe.
Every vehicle has blind spots, and some modern cars make them even bigger thanks to design features like thicker pillars. The larger or taller your vehicle, the more pronounced these blind zones become. Ignoring them can be dangerous, as a car, cyclist, or even a pedestrian could be right alongside you without you realizing it.
The solution? Don’t rely solely on your mirrors. Always turn your head for a quick shoulder check to ensure the coast is clear before making any move.
Examiners pay close attention to your routine. They want to see this sequence: signal your intention, check your mirrors, and then perform that all-important shoulder check before lane changes, turns, merges, or parking. And while you’re doing this, keep your steering steady - no swerving allowed while you’re looking over your shoulder!
Before you even start driving, adjust your mirrors properly. While they help reduce blind spots, they can’t eliminate them. Even vehicles equipped with blind spot detection systems still require that shoulder check - it’s a habit that could save lives.
To make this second nature, practise in a quiet, empty parking lot. Go through the motions: signal, check your mirrors, do a shoulder check, and then proceed. With enough repetition, this will become second nature, giving you confidence for any driving scenario.
2. Making Poor Lane Changes
Changing lanes might seem simple, but when done incorrectly, it can lead to serious accidents on Canadian roads. During your driving test, examiners pay close attention to your lane-changing technique, and mistakes here could cost you your licence.
One of the most common errors? Failing to signal. Skipping this step throws off other drivers, denying them the chance to adjust their speed or position. Without a signal, your lane change becomes an unexpected move that could easily lead to confusion - or worse, a collision.
But signalling alone isn’t enough. Many learners signal and then immediately start to change lanes without checking their mirrors or performing a shoulder check. This is especially risky on busy routes like the 401 or Highway 1, where traffic moves quickly, and blind spots can hide vehicles.
Speed control is another challenge. Slowing down unnecessarily during a lane change disrupts the flow of traffic and increases the risk of rear-end collisions. Maintaining a steady speed ensures a smoother and safer transition.
Another frequent issue is changing lanes too early while another vehicle is overtaking. This forces the overtaking driver to brake or swerve, which can cause a dangerous chain reaction.
"Your actions should never be a surprise to the traffic around you." - DriveSmartBC
To avoid these pitfalls, follow the Mirror, Signal, Shoulder Check, Change routine. Begin by checking your rearview and side mirrors to understand the space around your car. Signal your intentions early, giving other drivers enough time to adjust. Then, perform a quick shoulder check to confirm the lane is clear. Finally, move smoothly into the adjacent lane while keeping your speed consistent.
Timing is just as important. Never change lanes over solid lines, in intersections, or during heavy traffic. Planning your route ahead of time can help you avoid last-minute lane changes that often lead to errors.
And don’t forget to turn off your signal after completing the manoeuvre. Leaving it on can mislead other drivers into thinking you’re planning another move, and it shows a lack of awareness of how your actions affect traffic.
Practise this sequence on quiet, multi-lane roads until it feels natural. Examiners look for calm, predictable lane changes that prioritise safety for everyone on the road.
3. Rolling Through Stop Signs
Coming to a full stop at a stop sign isn’t just a suggestion - it’s the law. Yet, many learners pick up the bad habit of rolling through stop signs without fully halting. This mistake is not only dangerous but also guarantees an automatic failure on Canadian driving tests.
The Alberta Motor Association highlights this as one of the most common errors during road tests. Examiners often see drivers slow down at stop signs but fail to make a complete stop.
"Rolling stops are very dangerous and will result in an automatic failure on your road test. How dangerous can this habit be? You won't be able to scan the intersection as well as you should, and the consequences can be deadly." - Alberta Motor Association
When your vehicle is still moving, your ability to properly scan the intersection is compromised. You may miss pedestrians, cyclists, or oncoming cars, which can lead to serious accidents. This is why mastering a proper stopping technique is essential for passing your test and for safe driving in general.
In Ontario, rolling through a stop sign comes with a $110 fine, three demerit points, and could increase your insurance premiums by 10–20%.
To stop correctly, your vehicle must come to a complete halt - no movement at all - for a few seconds. Press the brakes until the car is fully stationary, and take the time to check the intersection thoroughly before moving forward.
Always stop at the white stop line. If there isn’t one, stop at the marked or unmarked crosswalk, the edge of the sidewalk, or the intersection’s edge. During your driving test, make your safety checks obvious to the examiner. After stopping, visibly turn your head to check left, right, and left again, ensuring there are no pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles in your path. Stopping beyond the line will cost you points, and blocking pedestrians or other vehicles could result in an automatic fail.
Approach stop signs with enough time to stop smoothly and accurately. Practising these techniques regularly will help you develop the habit, making it second nature by the time you take your test.
4. Driving at Wrong Speeds
Managing your speed is one of the trickiest aspects of a driving test. Whether you're going too fast, too slow, or struggling to maintain a steady pace, poor speed control can quickly lead to a failed test. Beyond just passing, mastering speed management is essential for keeping yourself and others safe on the road.
One common issue for new drivers is relying too much on pedal pressure to gauge speed. This often leads to noticeable speed fluctuations during the test.
Driving significantly under the speed limit is a mistake many nervous test-takers make, thinking it’s safer. However, this can disrupt traffic flow and create hazards, which might result in an automatic fail. For example, failing to smoothly adjust your speed when transitioning from a 50 km/h residential area to a 30 km/h school zone can indicate poor speed management. This is a critical skill, as in 2021, 24.7% of fatal collisions in Canada involved speeding.
Pedestrian safety is another key reason why speed control matters. Reducing your speed from 50 km/h to 30 km/h can lower the chance of a pedestrian fatality from about 80% to just 10%. This highlights the importance of adhering to speed limits, especially in school zones and areas with heavy foot traffic.
Adjusting your speed for weather and traffic conditions is equally important. For instance, driving at the posted limit on a wet road or in heavy traffic can show poor judgment. During your test, you’ll need to demonstrate that you can lower your speed appropriately when visibility is reduced or roads are slippery.
To prepare, make it a habit to check your speedometer regularly and practise smooth acceleration and deceleration. Stay alert for speed limit signs, and be ready to adjust when entering school zones, residential neighbourhoods, or construction areas. Residential zones typically have limits of 50 km/h, but these can drop to 30–40 km/h in areas with high pedestrian activity. Examiners will be watching for consistent, safe adjustments to posted limits, so focus on building this habit as part of your overall driving skills.
5. Missing Pedestrian Crosswalks
Recognizing and yielding to pedestrians is just as essential as checking blind spots and signalling. Overlooking pedestrians at crosswalks is one of the fastest ways to fail your driving test. Why? Because it poses a major safety hazard that examiners take very seriously. Proper crosswalk behaviour requires deliberate, clear actions that show you’re aware of your surroundings.
Crosswalks come in two types: marked crosswalks, which are visibly outlined on the road, and unmarked crosswalks, which connect sidewalks or curbs at intersections without visible markings. Missing either type during your test signals a lack of attentiveness.
Approach every crosswalk with care. A common mistake is driving through crosswalks without giving pedestrians the right-of-way. If you fail to stop before a crosswalk, it could result in an automatic failure. Always wait until pedestrians have fully cleared the crosswalk before moving forward.
Using a scanning technique is critical for spotting pedestrians. Before entering any intersection, scan both right and left to ensure no one is crossing.
When nearing a crosswalk or pedestrian crossover, slow down, check both sides, and stop completely if anyone is present. Maintain at least 1 metre of space from crossing pedestrians and stop far enough back to give other drivers a clear view of the crosswalk.
Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. They may be yielding to pedestrians you can’t see, and passing them could lead to a dangerous situation. Always confirm that the crosswalk is completely clear before proceeding, and pay close attention to any traffic signals or signs telling you when to stop or yield.
6. Following Too Close or Too Far
Keeping the right distance between your car and the one in front of you is a tricky balance that many people struggle with during their driving test. If you're too close, you risk rear-ending the car ahead. On the other hand, leaving too much space can mess up traffic flow and invite other drivers to cut in, creating potentially unsafe situations.
Tailgating is one of the worst habits you can show during your test. It drastically cuts down your reaction time and is a leading cause of rear-end collisions. Examiners will be watching to see if you maintain a safe buffer zone.
"Increasing the distance between you and the car ahead can help give you the time you need to recognize a hazard and respond safely." - Travelers Canada
The three-second rule is a simple and effective way to measure a safe following distance. Here’s how it works: pick a stationary object like a tree or a signpost. When the car ahead of you passes it, start counting: "one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three." If you reach the same point before finishing your count, you're too close and need to ease off the gas. This rule is especially important in ideal conditions and is a great way to show off your defensive driving skills.
But remember, three seconds isn’t always enough. Certain situations call for more space. For example, if you're driving a larger vehicle or towing a trailer, you'll need extra room because these vehicles take longer to stop.
At the same time, leaving too much space can cause issues. Large gaps tempt other drivers to cut in, which can catch you off guard and limit your ability to react. During your test, the examiner will expect you to maintain a distance that balances smooth traffic flow with safety.
Weather plays a huge role in stopping distances. On icy winter roads, it can take up to 12 times longer to stop compared to dry conditions. Even soft or loose snow can triple your stopping distance. In these cases, increase your following distance and reduce your speed if needed. Safety always comes first.
Mastering the three-second rule and adjusting for conditions will show the examiner that you're a cautious and attentive driver. Safe distances are a clear sign of strong defensive driving.
7. Getting Distracted While Driving
Staying focused on the road is just as important as mastering lane changes and maintaining proper speed. Distracted driving is a serious issue, contributing to 22.5% of fatal collisions and 25.5% of serious injury crashes in 2021. Alarmingly, these numbers have climbed over the past decade.
Examiners pay close attention to your focus during the test. Even a momentary lapse in attention can lead to failure.
Phone use is one of the biggest distractions for drivers. Texting, in particular, drastically increases the risk of accidents, and even talking on the phone can be hazardous. In 2019, 9.7% of Canadians admitted to texting while driving - a startling 102% jump from 2010, when only 4.8% reported this behaviour.
But it’s not just phones that steal your attention. Many distractions come from inside the car. Research shows that passengers, adjusting the radio, and fiddling with in-car controls are common culprits. For younger drivers, the leading distractions are talking to passengers (affecting 80%-90% of drivers) and adjusting the radio (70%-80%). Other distractions include eating, drinking, adjusting mirrors, or using a GPS.
Before your test, take steps to eliminate distractions. Turn off your phone and place it somewhere out of reach - if needed, lock it in the trunk. Adjust your seat, mirrors, and controls before the examiner gets in the car. Plan your route ahead of time so you won’t need to rely on navigation during the test.
During the test, keep your attention solely on driving. Avoid touching electronics, eating, or engaging in unnecessary conversation. To stay calm, try deep breathing at red lights, but remain alert and ready to respond when the light changes.
"In an environment where multi-tasking has become the norm, drivers are allowing their attention to wander away from the task that requires their full attention – all too often with deadly results." – Mark Yakabuski, Insurance Bureau of Canada
It’s also important to know the rules in your province. For example, in British Columbia, novice drivers under the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) are prohibited from using any electronic device while driving, even hands-free or GPS systems. Staying focused not only keeps you within the law but also shows the examiner that you’re alert and capable.
Ultimately, passing your test requires mental discipline. Your examiner wants to see that you can keep your attention fully on the road and handle changing conditions without distraction. Losing focus, even briefly, can signal that you’re not ready to drive safely, which could cost you your licence.
Safe vs Unsafe Driving Behaviours
Knowing the difference between safe and unsafe driving habits can be the deciding factor in passing your driving test. Examiners are quick to identify these behaviours, so understanding what they’re looking for gives you an edge. These principles aren’t just about passing the test - they form the foundation of responsible driving.
The distinction often boils down to attention to detail and sticking to proper procedures. Safe drivers are alert and deliberate with every action, while unsafe drivers might cut corners or take unnecessary risks. These differences highlight why consistency is so important during your driving test.
Take stop signs, for example. Between 2008 and 2017, stop-controlled intersections accounted for 45% of accidents in Canada. This highlights why coming to a complete stop is essential. Fully stopping allows you to assess your surroundings and spot potential hazards, whereas rolling through can leave you vulnerable to dangers you didn’t notice.
Another key behaviour is maintaining a safe following distance. The National Safety Council advises keeping at least a three-second gap between vehicles, increasing to six seconds for larger vehicles or poor conditions. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident, often caused by drivers who fail to maintain proper spacing.
Here’s a quick comparison of safe and unsafe driving practices for essential manoeuvres:
| Driving Behaviour | Safe Approach | Unsafe Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Stop Signs | Full stop for at least 3 seconds; check all directions | Rolling stops; failing to assess the intersection |
| Lane Changes | Signal early; check mirrors and blind spots; maintain steady speed | No signalling; abrupt movements; crossing solid lines |
| Following Distance | Follow the 3-second rule (6 seconds in poor conditions) | Tailgating or leaving too much space |
| Pedestrian Crosswalks | Stop completely before the crosswalk; scan for pedestrians; yield right-of-way | Rolling through or ignoring sidewalks |
| Speed Management | Adjust speed to match posted limits and traffic conditions | Driving too fast or too slow |
| Blind Spot Checks | Always perform a shoulder check before lane changes or turns | Relying only on mirrors |
| Focus and Attention | Stay focused on the road; avoid distractions like phones | Getting distracted by devices or other activities |
Consistency is everything. Safe drivers don’t just perform these actions when they think the examiner is watching - they make them a habit. Even a small lapse can set a clear difference between a safe and unsafe driver.
Weather conditions further amplify these differences. In rain, snow, or fog, safe drivers adjust their speed, increase their following distance, and take extra time to assess intersections. Unsafe drivers, on the other hand, often stick to their usual habits, ignoring the added risks of poor visibility or slippery roads.
Environmental factors, such as inadequate signage, contribute to about 21% of accidents at stop-controlled intersections. Safe drivers respond by staying extra cautious and vigilant, rather than using these issues as excuses for risky behaviour.
Conclusion
Passing your driving test boils down to preparation and focusing on the basics. The seven mistakes we’ve discussed - like neglecting blind spots or losing focus behind the wheel - can easily be avoided with steady practice and attention to detail.
The goal isn’t just to pass the test but to develop safe driving habits that stick. As Norman Geddes, a former driving examiner, wisely said: “You are not learning to pass a test. You are learning to drive.” Approaching your practice with this mindset can make all the difference.
Many test failures happen because drivers don’t get enough practice in varied driving conditions. Make sure to complete your driver education and spend time driving in different weather, traffic, and road scenarios. With at least 40 hours of hands-on experience, you’ll feel more confident and ready for the test.
To take your preparation further, tools like Drive Test Routes can be a game-changer. For $14.99 CAD, you can download GPS-based routes that mirror the actual test paths used at DriveTest centres. These routes, which work with Google Maps, even include examiner mark sheets to help you simulate the test experience. It’s an affordable way to boost your confidence and get familiar with what to expect on test day.
Whether it’s through lessons, structured practice, or route simulations, investing in preparation pays off. Not only will you improve your chances of passing, but you’ll also lay the groundwork for a lifetime of safe and confident driving.
FAQs
How can I effectively practise checking blind spots before my Canadian driving test?
To get better at checking blind spots, make it a habit to turn your head over your shoulder to get a clear view of the rear side window and the lane next to you. Pair this with checking your mirrors to gauge the speed and distance of nearby vehicles before making any moves. A shoulder check is essential every time you change lanes, merge, or turn at intersections.
Another helpful exercise is practising reversing in a straight line while looking back over your shoulder. Doing this regularly can boost your confidence and make the habit feel natural. Repeating these steps consistently will sharpen your blind spot awareness and set you up for success on your Canadian driving test.
How can I manage my speed effectively to avoid mistakes during my driving test?
Maintaining the right speed is a key part of acing your driving test. Stick close to the posted speed limit, but don’t rush or crawl - both can lead to errors. Keep an eye out for speed limit signs, and be extra cautious in areas like school zones or construction sites where limits can change.
Practise holding a steady speed by using smooth acceleration and braking. This demonstrates control and helps you adapt to changing traffic conditions. Driving confidently and at the correct speed not only shows skill but also boosts your chances of passing.
How can I stay focused and avoid distractions while driving in Canada?
To maintain focus and minimize distractions while driving, start by keeping your mobile phone out of reach and silencing notifications to avoid the temptation of checking it. Before setting off, plan your route ahead of time to steer clear of last-minute decisions. Also, secure any loose items in your car to prevent them from moving around during the drive.
Skip multitasking behind the wheel - this means no eating, grooming, or other activities that take your attention away from the road. Let your passengers know to keep conversations calm and non-disruptive. If you’re feeling tired or drowsy, pull over and take a break to rest before continuing. Staying alert and focused is essential for safe and confident driving.