Avoid Automatic Failure: 7 Common Mistakes on the Newfoundland and Labrador Driving Test

You've practiced for months, you know the Road User's Guide inside and out, and you're ready for your Newfoundland and Labrador driving test. While the goal is to drive perfectly, it's even more important to avoid the critical errors that will result in an immediate, automatic failure. An examiner won't have a choice but to fail you if they observe a dangerous action, regardless of how well you performed on other parts of the test.

To help you drive with confidence, here are the 7 most common mistakes that lead to automatic failure and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.

1. Disobeying a Critical Traffic Control Sign or Signal

This is the most straightforward way to fail. It demonstrates a fundamental lack of awareness of the law.

The Mistake: Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or a red light. Rolling through a stop sign (a "Stoptional") is an instant fail. This also includes running a red light or ignoring a yield sign when you are required to yield.
How to Avoid It: When you see a stop sign, your wheels must completely cease to move. Verbally say "stop" to yourself. Stop before the solid white line or crosswalk. If there is no line, stop before entering the intersection. For traffic lights, a yellow light means "stop if it is safe to do so." Don't speed up to try and beat it.

2. Dangerous Action or Lack of Control

Any action that forces the examiner to intervene or causes another driver or pedestrian to take evasive action is an automatic fail.

The Mistake: This is a broad category that includes driving too fast for conditions, following too closely (tailgating), making an unsafe lane change that cuts someone off, or drifting out of your lane. The most serious version is when the examiner has to grab the steering wheel or use a dual brake (if equipped) to prevent a collision.
How to Avoid It: Always maintain a safe following distance (the two-second rule is a good minimum). Stay in the center of your lane. Be smooth and deliberate with your steering, acceleration, and braking. An examiner's intervention means you lost control of the vehicle and the situation, which is an immediate end to the test.

3. Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way

Correctly yielding the right-of-way shows that you can safely integrate with traffic and respect other road users.

The Mistake: Pulling out from a stop sign or driveway in front of oncoming traffic, forcing them to brake. Failing to yield to pedestrians who are in or about to enter a crosswalk. Not yielding to the vehicle on your right at an uncontrolled intersection.
How to Avoid It: Be patient and cautious. Double-check for traffic and pedestrians before proceeding. It's better to wait a few extra seconds for a large, safe gap than to risk forcing your way into traffic. Always make eye contact with pedestrians to ensure they see you.

4. Speeding (Especially in Designated Zones)

While maintaining the flow of traffic is important, exceeding the speed limit is a clear violation of the law.

The Mistake: Driving over the posted speed limit. This is especially serious in school zones and construction zones, where fines and penalties are often increased. Even going 10-15 km/h over the limit can be enough to fail you.
How to Avoid It: Constantly check your speedometer and be aware of the posted speed limit signs. When you see a sign for a school or construction zone, immediately and safely reduce your speed to the required limit before you enter the zone.

5. Critical Lack of Observation

Driving safely is all about being aware of what's happening around you at all times.

The Mistake: Failing to check your mirrors regularly. Most importantly, forgetting to do a shoulder check to look into your blind spot before changing lanes or merging. At railway crossings, failing to look both ways is also a critical error.
AHow to Avoid It: Make your observation obvious. Exaggerate your head movements slightly when checking mirrors and blind spots. This shows the examiner that you are actively scanning your environment. Verbally state your actions to yourself, such as "mirror, signal, shoulder check," to build the habit.

6. Driving Too Slowly or Being Overly Hesitant

While caution is good, being excessively timid can be dangerous and will likely result in a failure.

The Mistake: Driving significantly under the speed limit without reason (e.g., 30 km/h in a 50 km/h zone with clear conditions). Stopping in the middle of a traffic lane unnecessarily or hesitating for a long time when you have the right-of-way.
How to Avoid It: Be confident. When it is your turn to go, go. Driving too slowly can frustrate other drivers and lead them to make unpredictable moves around you. It also shows the examiner that you are not comfortable or confident behind the wheel.

7. Striking the Curb

During maneuvers like parallel parking or a three-point turn, hard contact with the curb is a sign of poor vehicle control.

The Mistake: Bumping the curb with enough force that the car jolts, or worse, mounting the curb with one or more wheels. A light touch is often acceptable, but a hard strike is not.
How to Avoid It: Practice, practice, practice. Get to know the dimensions of your vehicle. Use your side mirrors effectively to judge the distance between your wheels and the curb. Perform these maneuvers slowly and carefully.

By being mindful of these major errors, you can focus on demonstrating your skills as a safe, competent, and confident new driver. Good luck on your test!