Automatic Failure: 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your New Hampshire Driving Test

You've completed driver's ed, logged your practice hours, and passed the written test. The final challenge is the New Hampshire road test. While the test evaluates your overall driving ability, certain critical errors are considered so hazardous they will result in an immediate, automatic failure.

Many otherwise capable drivers fail their first road test not from a lack of skill, but from a single, avoidable mistake made under the pressure of the moment. Understanding these "automatic fails" is a crucial part of your preparation. This guide highlights seven of the most common critical errors, helping you stay focused, confident, and on the path to passing your test.

1. Disobeying a Major Traffic Control Device

This is one of the most common and clear-cut reasons for an automatic fail. The primary purpose of the test is to confirm that you can follow fundamental traffic laws. Ignoring a major sign or signal tells the examiner you are not ready for the responsibility of driving alone.

What it looks like:
- Running a red light: Entering the intersection after the light has turned red.
- Incomplete stop at a stop sign: This includes "rolling stops" where your vehicle's wheels never fully cease their rotation. You must come to a full, complete stop behind the white line or crosswalk.
- Ignoring a "Yield" sign and failing to give way to traffic with the right-of-way.
- Driving through a lowered railroad crossing gate or ignoring its flashing lights.
How to avoid it: Be actively aware of your surroundings. As you approach any intersection, identify the traffic control (light, sign, or uncontrolled) well in advance. Verbally say it to yourself if it helps: "Okay, stop sign ahead, complete stop." Come to a firm stop and look left, right, then left again before proceeding.

2. Examiner Intervention

The DMV examiner is there to observe and score your performance, not to act as your co-pilot. If they are forced to physically intervene to prevent a dangerous situation, your test will end immediately.

What it looks like: The examiner has to grab the steering wheel to stop you from drifting into oncoming traffic or hitting the curb. Or, if the car has a passenger-side brake, they have to use it to prevent a collision.
How to avoid it: This comes down to maintaining complete control of your vehicle at all times. Keep a safe distance from all objects, be aware of your lane position, and scan ahead constantly to anticipate potential problems before they happen. The examiner's intervention is a sign that you lost control of the vehicle or the situation.

3. Causing Another Driver or Pedestrian to Take Evasive Action

Safe driving is about being predictable and interacting seamlessly with others on the road. If your actions force someone else to slam on their brakes or swerve out of the way, you have created a hazardous situation.

What it looks like:
- Pulling out from a side street or driveway directly in front of an oncoming car.
- Changing lanes and cutting someone off, forcing them to brake hard.
- Not yielding to a pedestrian who has the right-of-way in a crosswalk, causing them to stop or jump back.
How to avoid it: Be patient and defensive. The core principle is: if in doubt, yield. Never assume another driver will slow down or make space for you. Always double-check for traffic and pedestrians before committing to a maneuver.

4. Striking a Fixed Object

Your ability to judge your vehicle's dimensions and maintain control is paramount. Hitting a stationary object, no matter how minor it seems, is an automatic fail.

What it looks like: Hitting a curb, a traffic cone, a signpost, a parked car, or any other fixed object. This is especially common during parking maneuvers.
How to avoid it: Practice, practice, practice. Spend time in an empty parking lot getting a feel for your car's turning radius and how close your wheels are to the lines. During the test, take your time with maneuvers like parallel parking. It's better to be slow and precise than fast and reckless.

5. Unsafe Speeding (Especially in Zones)

Managing your speed appropriately is a constant test of your judgment. This isn't just about going too fast; it's about driving at a speed that is safe and legal for the situation.

What it looks like:
- Exceeding the posted speed limit.
- Driving at a dangerously high speed for the current conditions (e.g., going the speed limit in heavy rain or fog).
- Speeding in a school zone when the lights are flashing or children are present. This is almost universally an instant failure.
How to avoid it: Constantly be aware of the posted speed limit. When you turn onto a new road, make it a habit to immediately look for a speed limit sign. Adhere to the Basic Speed Law, always adjusting for weather, traffic, and visibility.

6. Improper Lane Usage

Staying in your lane and using the correct lanes for maneuvers is a fundamental skill. Serious lane violations demonstrate a lack of control and awareness.

What it looks like:
- Unnecessarily drifting or weaving out of your designated lane.
- Turning into the wrong lane (e.g., making a left turn and immediately going to the far-right lane).
- Starting a turn from the wrong lane.
- Driving in a bicycle lane for an extended period.
How to avoid it: Keep your eyes up and look far down the road to help you steer straight. For turns, remember the rule: turn from the closest lane into the closest lane. Be mindful of all road markings.

Relying only on your mirrors is not enough. The failure to perform a physical head check to look over your shoulder into your blind spot before a lateral move is a critical safety error.

What it looks like: Changing lanes, merging with traffic, or pulling away from a curb without turning your head to check for vehicles or cyclists in your blind spot.
How to avoid it: Make the "Signal, Mirror, Over-the-shoulder, Go" (SMOG) method an unbreakable habit. Every single time you intend to move the car sideways, perform all the steps. Make your head turn obvious so the examiner can clearly see you performing the check.

Final Thoughts on Test Day

It's normal to be nervous, but don't let anxiety cause a simple mistake. Get a good night's sleep, eat a good meal, and arrive at the DMV early. Take a few deep breaths before you begin. The examiner's goal is not to trick you but to verify that you are a safe driver. By being mindful of these common automatic fails, you can demonstrate your competence and drive away with your New Hampshire license.