How is Failing to Drive Straight Determined?
3 Answers
Criteria for judging straight-line driving: 1. Direction control: Unstable direction control, inability to maintain straight-line driving, results in failure. 2. Obstruction by the vehicle ahead: Failure to promptly take deceleration measures when encountering braking by the vehicle ahead results in failure. 3. Lack of observation: Not timely observing the rear traffic situation through the interior and exterior rearview mirrors deducts 10 points. 4. Failure to detect road obstacles: Not detecting road obstacles in time or failing to take deceleration measures upon discovering them deducts 10 points. Here are related details: 1. Straight-line driving: Control the speed reasonably according to road conditions, use the correct gear, maintain straight-line driving, keep an appropriate following distance, observe the interior and exterior rearview mirrors timely during driving, and do not let the line of sight deviate from the driving direction for more than 2 seconds. 2. Tips: Looking far ahead can enhance the sense of direction and allow for early observation of road conditions ahead. Make slight adjustments to the steering wheel, avoid gripping it too tightly, relax the whole body, keep shoulders relaxed, and hold the steering wheel lightly with both hands.
When failing the straight-line driving test, it's mainly because the car deviates too much. I remember when I was first learning to drive, I always thought it would be easy during the test, but in practice, the car would veer to the side if I got even slightly distracted. The examiner told me that if the tires deviate more than 30 centimeters from the centerline of the lane, it's considered a fail, which can be seen on GPS or the markings on the road. There was also an issue with the steering wheel—I often made large steering adjustments, turned too sharply to recover, or repeatedly adjusted over a short distance. The examiner said this would make the car unstable and result in immediate point deductions. Speed and line of sight are also crucial; driving too slowly or inconsistently is unacceptable. I was so nervous that my hands were shaking, and instead of focusing on the road ahead, I kept staring at the steering wheel, leading to a mistake. During practice, I tried to relax, remember to anticipate the road ahead, and handle the steering wheel gently—no sudden or aggressive turns. Gradually gaining experience this way helped me avoid repeating the same mistakes.
In driving school instruction, key points where students often fail the straight-line driving test are commonly observed. If the vehicle continuously drifts, deviating from the designated lane width beyond the permissible range of 20 to 30 centimeters, it results in immediate disqualification. Poor steering wheel control is another major issue—excessive steering adjustments or frequent corrections are seen by examiners as signs of inadequate control. Speed management is also critical; driving below the minimum speed limit or erratic speed changes, such as accelerating to 40 km/h then decelerating to 20 km/h, make the entire driving process appear chaotic. Proper gaze focus is essential—avoid fixating on the dashboard or nearby road markings; instead, look far ahead to maintain straight-line stability. During practice, I recommend simulating test conditions frequently, using mobile apps to track deviation distances, as gradual habit formation leads to smoother test passes. Details determine success—early adaptation to road conditions and vehicle characteristics can be highly beneficial.
