How to Practice Driving Test Part 3 for People with Poor Sense of Direction
4 Answers
Here are specific tips for people with poor sense of direction to practice Driving Test Part 3: 1. Look far ahead and use peripheral references. Keep your gaze as far ahead as possible to better sense any deviation in direction and make adjustments early. Find suitable reference points, using the left side of the car hood as a peripheral reference to gauge its relative position to the road's white lines. Make slight adjustments when the position changes significantly. 2. Keep steering smooth and consistent. During normal driving and lane changes, make small, slow, and gentle steering adjustments, as if gradually aligning the direction. For turns or U-turns, follow two consistencies: 'steer as much as you return, and steer as fast as you return.' 3. Principles for steering. (1) Centering principle: return the steering wheel by the same amount and speed as you turned it, using the car emblem as a reference to check if it's centered; (2) Safety principle: at higher speeds, react quickly to turns with small adjustments, like a finger or half-finger's width; (3) Curve principle: steer proportionally to the curve—quickly for sharp turns (e.g., right-angle turns) and slowly for gentle curves (e.g., S-curves); (4) Remedial principle: if you steer too early, adjust less and slower; if too late, adjust more and faster. Minor oversteering requires small corrections, while understeering requires quick compensation.
Having poor sense of direction during driving practice for Subject 3 is indeed a headache. I was exactly the same—always confused about left and right turns when starting. My instructor advised me to repeatedly practice the test route and first jot down key points in a notebook, such as turning left at the second traffic light or paying attention to the big billboard at the intersection. During practice, I strengthened memory techniques, like checking the rearview mirror inside the car before each turn to confirm the direction, gradually forming a habit over time. Don’t just focus on driving practice; pay attention to turns while walking or cycling in daily life to develop a sense of direction. Patience is key—it took me 20 practice sessions to improve. During the test, I relied on memorizing the route, and slowly my sense of direction got stronger. Don’t rush or skip steps.
For those with a weak sense of direction, practicing for the third driving test should start from the basics. I usually advise students to first familiarize themselves with the steering wheel's turning range in an open area, such as practicing slow 90-degree left and right turns in the driving school parking lot. Then, choose a simple route to repeat, using fixed reference points like lane yellow lines or roadside trees for each turn. Strengthen safety awareness—don’t just focus on speed; use mirrors more to assist with orientation. Simulate the test route at least five times before the exam to ensure proficiency. This method can reduce directional errors and risks.
My sense of direction is terrible, and I kept making wrong turns when I first started practicing for the driving test (Subject 3). I tried changing my approach—my instructor had me walk daily to note the usual turning points and describe the directions. During practice drives, I brought a companion to remind me, like saying 'left turn, watch for oncoming traffic' as we approached an intersection. I repeatedly practiced the same route until it became muscle memory, and before the test, I drew the route on my phone map to review. Don’t be afraid of embarrassment; mistakes are learning opportunities. Persistence will make it smoother.
