Should the Door Be Closed When Walking Around the Car in Driving Test Part 3?

[Chavez]

Yes, the door should be closed when walking around the car in Driving Test Part 3. Here are some important notes for Part 3: 1. Lane Changing: When the examinee hears "Please change lanes," they should turn on the turn signal and wait for 3 seconds before turning the steering wheel. If the examinee is in a single-lane road, lane changing is not allowed. 2. Straight-line Driving: Once straight-line driving begins, the steering wheel should not be turned randomly, and the solid lane line must not be crossed. The examinee should focus on the distant view and make minor adjustments to the steering wheel to maintain straight-line driving, rather than keeping the steering wheel completely still. 3. Deceleration: When passing through crosswalks, school zones, bus stops, or intersections, the examinee should gently press the brake pedal to slow down.

[IsabellaFitz]

When I was taking the driving test (Subject 3), my instructor emphasized this detail—you must close the car door properly before walking around the vehicle for inspection. During a mock test, I once saw a candidate who didn’t close the door, and the examiner immediately waved them off to start over. The main reason is that walking around the car with the door open is too risky. If you accidentally bump into the door while moving, you or someone else could get hurt. From an inspection perspective, an open door also blocks your view of the side of the car, making it easy to miss critical points like door latches or body scratches. Moreover, safety regulations require ensuring the vehicle is fully sealed before starting, and developing this habit ensures you won’t forget to lock the doors later when driving. During the test, closing the door firmly and smoothly shows the examiner that you prioritize safety details, which really earns extra points.

[RachelAnn]

Closing the car door is a mandatory requirement for the walk-around inspection—don't even think about skipping it. During my driving test for Subject 3, my instructor nagged daily: 'What’s the point of walking around if the door isn’t shut?' An open door destabilizes the car’s structure, especially on slopes where rollaway risks can cause injuries. The exam grading criteria explicitly state: 'Walking around with an unclosed door results in 100-point deduction'—no second chances. After driving for real, I realized shutting doors allows checking door gaps for abnormalities and verifying child locks—things impossible to inspect properly with doors open. Remember, this small action builds critical safety habits.

[OEmilia]

You must close the door! The purpose of the walk-around inspection in the third driving test is to eliminate potential safety hazards. If you walk around with the door open and it gets hit by an oncoming vehicle, the least consequence is failing the test, and the worst could be personal injury. The examiners pay close attention to this detail, having seen too many candidates fail at this step. After closing the door, the key points are carefully checking the tire pressure of all four tires, looking for oil leaks under the chassis, and inspecting for any damage or dirt on the license plate. Moreover, the sound of the door closing can also alert others in the vehicle to prepare for departure. This is not just a test requirement but an essential safety precaution you must perform before driving alone in the future.

[Fonseca]

As a driving school assistant instructor who has guided hundreds of students through the Category 3 test, I can definitively tell you: You must firmly close the driver's door before walking around the vehicle. Checking the vehicle condition with the door open is considered a dangerous operation and will result in an immediate zero score from the system. There are actually two key points about closing the door: First, confirm the door light is off to prevent battery drain; second, let the examiner hear a crisp closing sound to confirm proper operation. The most standardized inspection method is walking counterclockwise from the rear, paying special attention to whether the brake lights and reflectors are intact. Mastering this small detail will make your future vehicle inspections more professional when driving on your own.

[LukasDella]

During my driver's license test, this was what the instructor scolded me most harshly about. Always close the car door tightly before walking around the vehicle, otherwise there are three dangers: first, you might trip over the open door while moving; second, it may hinder inspection of paint damage on the body; third, it easily gives the examiner the impression of weak safety awareness. In actual operation, remember to conveniently press the lock button - some places award extra points for this. Maintain a 60cm distance from the vehicle when walking around it, bend down to check for oil leaks under the chassis, and look for bulges in the tires. Getting these details right will increase the examiner's safety awareness rating of you by at least 30%.