Watch Out for These 10 Common Mistakes on the Alaska Driving Test

You've studied the driver's manual, you've logged your practice hours, and you've prepared your vehicle. You're ready for the Alaska road test! However, even well-prepared drivers can fail due to simple, avoidable mistakes made under the pressure of the test.

Knowing the common pitfalls is the first step to avoiding them. A DMV examiner is looking for safe, confident, and lawful driving. Any action that demonstrates a lack of these qualities can result in points deducted or even an automatic failure. Here are the top 10 common mistakes to be mindful of on your big day.

1. The "Rolling Stop" at Stop Signs

This is one of the most frequent errors. A "rolling stop," where your wheels never fully cease their rotation, is an automatic failure.

• How to Avoid It: Come to a complete stop behind the white stop line or crosswalk. [9] If there isn't one, stop before entering the intersection where you have a clear view of cross-traffic. After stopping, then you can proceed safely, yielding to any pedestrians or traffic.

2. Incomplete Observation and Scanning

Driving safely is about more than just looking forward. Examiners watch your head and eye movements closely to ensure you are aware of your surroundings.

• How to Avoid It: Make a conscious effort to move your head. Check your rearview mirror every 5-8 seconds. Check your side mirrors before changing lanes or turning. And most importantly, physically turn your head to check your blind spot before merging or changing lanes.

3. Improper Lane Changes

A sloppy or unsafe lane change is a major red flag for an examiner.

• How to Avoid It: Follow the "SMOG" principle: Signal, Mirror, Over-the-shoulder, Go. Signal your intention, check your mirrors, look over your shoulder to check your blind spot, and then smoothly move into the adjacent lane when it is clear. Do not drift into the lane; make a deliberate maneuver.

4. Following Too Closely (Tailgating)

Maintaining a safe buffer between you and the car ahead is critical for safety and is something every examiner looks for.

• How to Avoid It: Use the three-to-four-second rule. When the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object (like a signpost), start counting "one-one thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand." If you reach the object before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Increase this distance in poor weather.

5. Speeding or Driving Too Slowly

You need to demonstrate that you can adapt your speed to the posted limits and current conditions.

• How to Avoid It: Be aware of the speed limit at all times, especially when it changes. In ideal conditions, you should drive at or slightly below the limit. However, driving significantly under the limit can also be marked as a mistake, as it can impede the flow of traffic. Adjust your speed for weather, traffic, and road conditions.

6. Confusion at Four-Way Stops

Hesitation or taking the right-of-way incorrectly at a four-way stop shows a lack of confidence and knowledge.

• How to Avoid It: Remember the rules: The first vehicle to arrive and stop goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way. If two vehicles are across from each other and one is turning left, the vehicle going straight has the right-of-way.

7. Wide or Short Turns

Your ability to position your car correctly during a turn is a basic and essential skill.

• How to Avoid It: For a right turn, stay in the lane closest to the right curb. Do not swing wide into the other lane. For a left turn, turn into the corresponding lane on the new road. Avoid "cutting the corner" by turning too sharply.

8. Nerves and Lack of Confidence

Examiners can tell when you're overly hesitant or jerky with your controls. While they expect some nerves, a lack of confidence can be interpreted as a lack of skill.

• How to Avoid It: The best cure for nerves is practice. The more time you spend practicing specific maneuvers like parallel parking, three-point turns, and driving in traffic, the more they will become second nature. Get a good night's sleep before your test and take a few deep breaths before you begin.

9. Poor Parallel Parking Technique

This is the maneuver that causes the most anxiety, and for good reason—it requires precise control.

• How to Avoid It: Practice, practice, practice! Find an area with cones or markers set up to the dimensions of the test space (typically 10 feet by 30 feet in Alaska). [4] Follow a consistent, step-by-step method every time. Remember to signal, check for traffic, and don't be afraid to make small adjustments.

10. Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way

This is a critical safety error and can result in an immediate failure. It shows that you are a potential danger to other road users.

• How to Avoid It: Be vigilant and understand right-of-way rules. This applies to yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, yielding to traffic when merging, and yielding to oncoming traffic when making a left turn on a green light. It's always better to be patient and wait for a clear opening than to force your way into traffic.

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can actively work to avoid them during your practice sessions and on the day of your Alaska driving test. Drive calmly, drive confidently, and show the examiner that you're ready for the responsibility and freedom of being a licensed Alaska driver.