When taking the Indiana driving skills test, you must pay particular attention to the following situations:
- Drive in the proper lane, obey the lane markings, look carefully, and signal properly before changing lanes.
- Leave enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid a collision.
- If you are overtaken and passed by another vehicle, maintain your speed and give the other vehicle enough room to pass safely.
- Control your speed according to posted speed limits and varying traffic conditions.
- Observe good defensive driving habits.
- Listen to instructions and observe the general flow of traffic.
- Approach intersections at the proper speed, look for other vehicles, come to a complete stop, anticipate that the light might change, and do not try to beat a yellow before it changes to red.
- Backing skills and backing correctly out of parking spaces.
- Parallel parking. Check traffic by looking in the rear view mirror, signal your intention to park, position your vehicle before backing, and move into the space smoothly and at the proper speed.
When taking the driving skills test, the following actions may detract from your final score:
- Failing to use defroster or wipers when needed.
- Failing to use both hands on the wheel.
- Selecting the wrong gear.
- Failing to signal.
- Driving too slowly for conditions.
- Overrunning a crosswalk/stop line/stop sign.
- Stopping unnecessarily.
- Failing to turn into correct lane (i.e., nearest lane).
- Failing to check blind spot.
- Slowing speed when changing lanes.
- Backing too fast.
- Leaving turn signal on after completed lane change.
- Driving too closely to the vehicle ahead or a parked vehicle.
When taking the driving skills test, the following actions would result in a failure:
- Speeding.
- Failing to obey road signs or traffic laws.
- Failing to obey school zone rules.
- Failing to stop for school buses with the stop arm extended.
- Straddling marked lanes.
- Driving too close to pedestrians, bicycles or vehicles.
- Driving left of center.
- Failing to pull over and stop for emergency vehicles.
- Running off the roadway.
- Backing over the curb when parallel parking.
- Having an accident or making contact with another vehicle.
- Failing to react to hazardous driving condition.
- Failing to yield right of way.
- Turning from improper lanes.
- Failing to stop at stoplights or stop signs completely.
- Failing to follow instructions.