lifegoeson

I just took my driving test earlier today (Feb 4) in Richmond. Luckily I pass my road test this time (this is my 3rd attempt already, and I took all my road tests in Richmond). I guess I am not a good driver at all, and I got few points off on few common mistakes. Anyway let me try to help you (and perhaps other LYKs who may take this test in the future) All my test routes were something like the following (sorry, they may not be in order...it is hard to memorize the detail...)

First attempt:  I went to river road area (only section from capstan way to no. 3), capstan way, garden city and merge into highway 99.

Second attempt: I went to Elmbridge Way, Westminster Hwy, Gilbert road, bridge to airport (don't even know what is it call, any LYK knows?), sharp right to Russ Baker Way, Cessna Dr, Miller Road, Sea Island Way, Garden City, Alderbridge way, and back to ICBC.

For the first attempt, i went back to icbc 30mins later, because i got too many points off on the "turning left" section. One section fails (out of total of 4 sections) mean you fail the road test.

Second attempt was perhaps the easiest route, but I made one of the most stupid mistake. So I went to Russ Baker Way, and the guy asked me to turn right in Cessna Drive (or exactly one block ahead from Cessna Drive, I forgot which intersection exactly). There is actually a "hidden" right turn lane. This is a bit tricky because this "right turn" lane was a bus lane. The bus lane suddenly ends and turns into a right turn lane. There is only a small gap for you to merge into that "right turn" lane. I missed that right turn lane and this becomes a violation...so i fail again.

Third attempt, the test route I took today was the hardest among the three (at least for me)...because I am totally unfamiliar with the test area. I only remember Alderbridge way, Capstan way, kwantlen street, some small streets near River Rock area, merge into highway 99, Bridgeport, small portion of No. 3, and some other unfamiliar small streets, than back to ICBC. This time the test took so long - around 65mins on the road and 10 mins feedback...The examiner was really tough and was "black face" from the beginning to the end, but I guess I was lucky enough to pass

lifegoeson

...And remember, don't follow those stupid mistakes I made (I hold my N for many years that I have few bad habits) and do the following,

-stop sign, stop for 3 whole seconds then move slowly
-shoulder check on every turn
-when ask to open door, look behind and use both hand to open door
-whenever you step on brake, check rear-view mirror..
-when turning left on green light, remember only one car can go in front of the white lane. This means when there is a car turning left, you must wait behind the white lane (I got points off for waiting right behind the car in the front)
-merging into highway, remember to match the highway speed in the entry lane

Although I don't know you personally, but I have a positive feeling that you will pass the test without problem...Good Luck and relax la

lifegoeson

You are welcome la B Jai...I wish my experience can help you to pass the test la

Morning (especially 8-11am) is always better. Yesterday during feedback section, the "black faced" examiner told me, if i took this test in the afternoon i would had failed the test again.

And yes there are some school and playground zone. But I cannot recall the street name as those are places i never went into.  Let me try to search on google map...

For my 1st attempt, I failed my test so fast I don't even have chance to go to school or playground zone.

For my 2nd attempt, i believe I went to a playground zone that is on Capstan Way and Kilby Dr...

[url=http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&a ... +Dr+%26+Capstan+Way,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&sll=49.18751,-123.120582&sspn=0.00324,0.009645&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Capstan+Way+%26+Kilby+Dr,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.188435,-123.116827&spn=0.006479,0.01929&t=h&z=16]http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&a ... +Dr+%26+Capstan+Way,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&sll=49.18751,-123.120582&sspn=0.00324,0.009645&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Capstan+Way+%26+Kilby+Dr,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.188435,-123.116827&spn=0.006479,0.01929&t=h&z=16[/url]

This place is crazy because the 30km zone is quite big and you have to keep driving@30km for quite awhile.

And for my final attempt, I went to some unknown 30km zone that is close to Bridgeport Rd. After some more Google search, i found out it is a place calls Gilmore Crescent

[url=http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&a ... ;q=Gilmore+Crescent,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&sll=49.196548,-123.111817&sspn=0.003239,0.009645&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FWWu7gIdF4ap-A&split=0&hq=&hnear=Gilmore+Crescent,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.196646,-123.110309&spn=0.00162,0.004823&t=h&z=18]http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&a ... ;q=Gilmore+Crescent,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&sll=49.196548,-123.111817&sspn=0.003239,0.009645&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FWWu7gIdF4ap-A&split=0&hq=&hnear=Gilmore+Crescent,+Richmond,+Greater+Vancouver+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&ll=49.196646,-123.110309&spn=0.00162,0.004823&t=h&z=18[/url]

Yes yes, remember to use both hand to open door ar!  On my 2nd attempt, i was asked to pull over and open door.  I used one hand to open door and got marks off right away. Later the examiner said this is to avoid sudden wind wo..

And thank you fibbi! Before I took my 1st test, I took one driving lesson. Honestly I think it is not that useful, but at least he can reminds you what to expect on road test. I am a guy and I think his manner was pretty rough. But I refer him to one of my female friend and she said he was pretty polite. Maybe that's why my girlfriend says ladies often have advantage in some way?! In any cases, if you want I can always give you his phone number (and I think he charges around $50 for 1.5hrs?!)

lifegoeson

I think one more thing
drive with both hands on the steering wheel and drive like a noob
my friend made a turn with only one hand on the steering wheel and failed the test LOL
嘉嘉 發表於 2010-2-7 11:50

Yes , remember to drive with both hand! And for 3 points turn, it depends on whether you have time or not. Last time I didn't had to make a 3 point turn but just did a pull over and open the door for 3 seconds.  But if you need to do a 3 point turns,try to leave yourself with lots of room to make the turn..! And remember to do a 360 vision check and turn signals!

By the way B Jai, remember to take more rest and hope you feel better soon!! Add oil!!

lifegoeson

51# B仔

don't worry, 3 pt turn is easy
question, why we can't use one hand to open door ar?  how many point does it worth?
tofu 發表於 2010-2-8 15:22

I don't know how many points worth, only know the examiner put down "open door without caution"on my road test.
I asked the examiner what this means and he told me it is dangerous to open door with one hand. I fail that road test at the end (of course there are some other issues like wide turn and shoulder check). I think most driver opens door with one hand anyway, but just remember this on the road test.

lifegoeson

唉～
B仔肥咗
少少死唔眼斃

肥係因為佢話我：
1. "when proceeding an intersection, maintain speed to look, don't slightly slow down (whether its releasing the gas/or tap on brake). "
2. when ma ...
B仔 發表於 2010-2-10 10:49

What?! So he fails you for this "dangerous action"? If I am correct, the acceleration ramp sign is in yellow background, which means this is a suggested speed and you don't need to follow all the time...BUT I think if there was no car behinds you, then you pass the test already la...Was that car really close to you?!

When I do my re-test, I never go back to the same test route, so maybe next time you won't need to go back to this stupid highway...And even the examiner said your driving skill is good, so sure you will pass the test next time la!!!!! Just remember to book the road test asap because appointments in Richmond fills up pretty quick!

lifegoeson

hai~~~

今日我 d 轉線，因為早，冇乜車，係大把位同時間架 （所以我先揀咁鬼早去考）

如果架車真係好近，我都CUT唔到／唔敢上HWY啦。。。
我入咗HWY線成幾秒，架車先到，然後釘我尾因為我跟 HWY SIGN行80 ...
B仔 發表於 2010-2-10 12:58

That's really an innocent and I think there wasn't anything you can do at that time!! Many drivers have no patient at all and want to "force" you to drive faster by going really closes to your car...that's really not your fault..

By the way you can also call 604-661-2255 to book the road test right away. One of my friend just booked his road test yesterday and got a spot in Richmond by the beginning of April.

lifegoeson

冇SLAM BRAKES呀。。。
我嘅SPEED 都好STEADY，唔太慢，唔超速。。。所以見到D SPEED LIMIT SIGN係好容易放鬆／加速嚟ADJUST 返～

個EXAMINER係一個廣大話亞叔（未嗌我名時我聽到佢係COUNTER同另外個CHINESE EXAMI ...
B仔 發表於 2010-2-10 15:43

I think I may know who he is. Did he put his number beside his name (the number starts with 9XX)?? If this is the 亞叔 you talking about, he was one of my examiner and I think he is pretty tough...But don't worry, next time you properly won't have the same examiner + route la. I took this test 3 times and they all have different examiner + route...

And by the way B jai, for the test date, remember to check online after few days, as you may see some cancellation and you can take the test sooner. Usually when people cancel the booking, it appears right away online. And my friend's instructor told me, driving school usually cancel their overbook driving test in the morning, so you may check the web more often in the morning as well.

There is a rumor saying that the graduated licensing program will change pretty soon (and properly harder than now), and a class 7N licence can no longer uses hand-free device, and also they can no longer rent car from few rental company and can't exchange their class 7n licence to a Hong Kong driver licence.  So maybe those are some reasons why so many people take the test now? In any cases, don't worry too much and I am sure you will pass the test next time!!!!!

lifegoeson

"the number starts with 9XX"

Sorry, on a second thought the number 9XX only reflects the start time of the test. I think only DE Initials can tells you who was your examiner..

And while that Chinese examiner was pretty tough to me, but same as what habitrailspace said, i must admit that he is definitely not a bad examiner if compare to other bad examiners i met...(i made few test fees "donations" to icbc so i met few examiners in the past... )

By the way 小叻, i renewed my 7N license once, so for sure you can renew at least once...(but maybe it is better for you to take the class 5 test soon as things will only get harder...)