Thank you, now you got it! Quick chin-to-shoulder blind spot checks are all you really need! As you probably learned the hard way, fully turning all the way around takes your eyes off the road ahead for too long, and it also increases the chance you will drift out of your lane. Thanks for the feedback, stay safe out there!
Finally. I took my 1st road test & he kept yelling at me to check my blind spots and i couldn’t figure out how and when and why he kept saying it so thank you so much for this video.
Not all heroes wear capes. Very concise and detailed video about blind spot and shoulder check. Really appreciate you demonstrating the blind spot with the cone too at 1:22. 👍
I got failed for not checking my blind spots and I did so good still so mad about it but this video definitely helped for me to retake my test next month thank you so much
We're sorry to hear about your experience, but it’s great that you found the video helpful! You've got this for your retake next month! If you have any questions or need more tips, we’re here for you!
THANK YOU. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I HAD TO LOOK BACK AT THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW. Thank you so much for this clarification because i would start to steer off into the other lanes.
Thanks for the kind words - so glad we could help clarify this for you! You are exactly right - staring completely behind you takes your eyes off the road ahead of you for too long, which is so dangerous and leads to drifting into other lanes. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much for this video. I am a new driver and got my car a week and a half ago. I made a really big mistake today, I was lucky the car behind me was paying attention... I merged to my left lane and a car was in my blind spot. No accident luckily. But it was a major mistake and now I am terrified as to why I didn't think to check my blind spot. I just checked my mirrors and decided to go, but obviously I need to rethink again... this video is really helpful!
Thank you for sharing your story, definitely a needed reminder for all of us about how important blind spot checks are! So glad to hear that you didn't get into an accident, and thankful that you are able to learn from the mistake. With an attitude like that, you will be a great defensive driver sooner than later! Stay safe out there and thanks for your support!!
this is so helpful! when people told me to “shoulder check” i would look all the way behind me and look through the passenger window. thanks for the clarification!
Excellent...Thank you! I'm a fairly new driver and blind spots caught me off guard. Did not know there was such a thing until I started driving. They don't teach this.
Thank you for watching and glad we could help you learn about blind spots! As you are finding out, checking them is very important. Stay safe out there!
It’s actually pretty good that they make sure that we can check our blind spots by ourselves because just recently my mother got into an accident with someone who over relied on their car to tell them what was in their blind spot.
Yes, that is very true, thanks for sharing! While technology can definitely help and assist us, we still need to drive intelligently and do all of the proper traffic checks. Hope your mother is doing okay!
We’re fine, thankfully my mother was noticed her a while back and was able to pull to the left enough to end up with just a long scratch on the side of the passenger doors but no major damage.
I failed my first road test with 45 points total deducted because I didn’t know how to properly traffic and shoulder check I found your videos and studied them for about a month I retook my exam this morning and passed with 19 points total deducted (In Wisconsin the minimum passing score is 80) I was extremely afraid because I begin college next week and was worried about not getting my license in time but I did!! Thank you for posting these videos
@@DriversEdDirect I passed!!!! She told me that I did really good with my blind spots!! I only got 4 points off 😄 Thanks for this well explained video!!
@@SmeliNeli AWESOME JOB! Huge accomplishment and thanks again for sharing this part of your driving journey with us. Stay safe out there and see you on the road!
Really great video. I find it very annoying how there is not much videos out there like this explaining things simply, calmly and in detail. Most of them are haughty, arrogant and annoying and/or don't go into details at all. Nice to know there are great videos like this for idiots like myself, that need a detailed explanation for things that most people can do without much problem. Thank you 😄 PS. I haven"t checked your channel yet so I don't know, but in case you didn't could you make a video about your experience with or tips for people with adhd it would be greatly appreciated.😊
I needed this video. I don't want to get into an accident because I did not check my blind spots. I need to remember to turn my head and look over my left or my right shoulder. This is something I need to make sure I do.
I have my drivers test today at 3pm! Thanks for your video. Very helpful because I wasn’t sure how often I should be checking my blind spots. Wish me luck😬🙌🏼☺️
I passed everyone! I was more nervous then I should of been. For anyone in Phoenix I went to the south mountain dmv and the first thing you do is the 3 point turn. If you pass that you move onto the driving part. We did a few stop signs, turned right and turned left at an intersection, so practice that and lane changing. This video was helpful on when to check my blind spots so thank you! Good luck to everyone near and far, I believe in you☺️
That’s the best video ever please follow this guy cause he knows how to explain everything I failed before this video after I saw it I passed thank you so much God bless you!
just fyi: when i took my dmv test, i rented a fancy, newer version car with all the technology: blind spot checker, parking sensor, etc. my dmv intructor actually asked me to turn off all these technologies before we did the test.
Thanks Angel, that is great information and very true! Some DMV examiners even cover up the back-up camera when you are reversing - they really want to make sure you can safely operate a vehicle without the aid of a lot of the newer technology that isn't found on every car you may drive. Thanks for sharing!
I literally didn't pass cause of this last week! 😢 blind spots are hard for me to do even though I been driving for years 🫣 I'm taking my test again today I will definitely apply this 🙏🏼 thank you
Thank you for sharing that! Check out this DMV Drive Test video - it will definitely help as it goes over all the times you need to check over your shoulder and much more: ua-cam.com/video/m7h5bLIIoNI/v-deo.html Best of luck to you on your next test!!
Bro my first test failed cuz I forgot to do this when getting out of parallel parking. Woulda passed otherwise. Second test, I just forgot to turn off the ebreak. But either way both examiners sounded rude and looked very judge mental, wish I had someone like you. Third time is a charm, this Thursday
Hi! When I am driving a car that’s more like a SUV or a car that’s just built bigger, I have a hard time with blind spots. Some cars are better and I can see everything if I look back but the bigger cars you can’t see the very back window on the left side. Your shoulder check has me in doubt because my mirrors have lied to me before and I feel better if I can see all the way back. 😂
Thanks for sharing, Qetsia! Yeah, checking over your shoulder is definitely one of those things that the DMV looks for on your test. Plus shoulder-checks are important for a long life of safe driving. Hopefully you pass your second drive test!
I actually failed my test for not doing this enough and I also hit the curb doing parallel park and at the beginning to top it all off I forgot to put my e-brake down…😅I don’t have the $280 to take my test in their car again and it’s rough looking for a car with an e-brake in the middle luckily my cousin has one an old Camry he doesn’t drive anymore but it’s in the shop and the registry officer told me to come back next week i am more frustrated with myself because I got more than just this going on in my life I need this to get my life in order
Hi there! Thanks for sharing! You're one step closer, and it’s great you have a car to work with. Keep going, you’ve got this! Let us know if you need any tips and keep us posted!
Hello! NY here question about turning blind spots - so I have my license but have some driving anxiety and still love watching these videos, recently I read from Canadian UA-camrs that they check the blind before turning and California does as well and according to the DMV of California, how should we go about checking blinds on right turns in super dark areas at night? Most of suburbs NY isn’t built for bikes so I’m guessing it isn’t needed (I still do it makes me feel better!) Oddly enough in suburb NY we aren’t told or taught to check our blinds before turns so are a lot of people in the US, however I know in California you are and all major Canadian cities because of bikes lanes, though around where I live we see so many bike lanes and I would not be shock if every DMV starts to teach blind before right! Thanks for any help have a good one!
Hello and thanks for sharing! Yes, we always recommend checking your blind-spots just in case. You might check them 1000 times without seeing anything there, but at some point in your life you'll be glad you checked because something will actually be in your blind spot. Just remember S.M.O.G. - Signal, Mirrors, Over-the-Shoulder, Go - so basically anytime you signal, follow it up with mirror checks and over the shoulder checks. Hope that helps!
Trith if the matter is that if you are a teuly attentive driver in a passenger vehicle you should never have any blind spots. Your eyes are constantly checking rear and side view mirrors even as you are progressing forward. Only when, as a driver, You are not in contact, or have lost contact with your "traffic situation" do I recommend taking your eyes off the road even briefly.
Really great video, I also have struggled with completely looking around my back to shoulder check, not exactly knowing what I was doing (I'm still taking driving lessons, and have for almost a year now, which is "embarrassing" for me since I'm almost 30), so this helps a lot. Just to clarify, what you're looking for is a vehicle that's basically right next to your car's driver or passenger window? Is it for both front and back seat windows? Sorry if this is a dumb question. 😅
Hello! There are no dumb questions, thank you for asking! Yes, you're looking for vehicles, objects or potential pedestrians that might be in your blind spot. When checking your blind spot, a quick glance lets you see everything next to your car-both the driver’s and passenger’s sides-because your peripheral vision covers it all at once. Remember a blind spot check is a QUICK glance from chin-to-shoulder, either to the left or right, depending on which way you are moving your car. Also, don't be embarrassed! It's always good to learn and those lessons will boost your confidence out on the road!! Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!
I've been questioning, should you should check your blindspot first, then turn on your signal or turn on your signal and check your blindspot. Or are both of these correct?
Hello! For sure always check your blind spot after your signal is on and you have checked your mirrors, directly before you change lanes or make a turn. If you use the acronym S.MO.G., it will help you remember the order: - Signal - Mirrors - Over-The-Shoulder (Blind Spot Check) - Go With that said, there is no reason why you cannot check your blind spots at others times as well, just make sure to use quick glances. Hope that helps!
Hello! A great acronym to remember when changing lanes is SMOG (Signal, Mirror, Over-the-Shoulder, then Go) - you signal first, make sure you check your mirrors, look over your shoulder then go. I think you might find this video helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6TgFxB32fnE/v-deo.html In this video instructor Ben does over a dozen lane changes, going through them step by step which I find to be very helpful. Hope this will help!
Hello! Anytime before you park at a curb, you definitely want to check your blind spot first. Also, before you reverse, make sure you check behind you , looking over both shoulders first. Please watch this video for a better explanation: ua-cam.com/video/SNXqsTRhJ80/v-deo.html Hope that helps!
Hello! Great question. Yes, you definitely need to do shoulder checks when making lane changes at high speeds. We will add that idea to the list of videos to make, thanks!!
When turning from a residential street onto a major street and there is no immediate visible speed limit sign (it is posted further back), what speed should I drive? 25 still? (For the purposes of the test since there was no visible sign in my route that came up yet, Even if I know the street is 35mph). Or would 25 mph be too slow bc other traffic is likely going the speed limit(35) or faster while I’m still at 25?
Hello again! Great question and a tricky one. If you know for certain the speed limit is 35mph from previous experience, then of course you should go the speed limit if conditions allow it. However, as you noted, if you are unsure of what the posted speed limit is, then 25mph is technically the assumed speed limit. With that said, it's good to get to know the area of your driving test prior to your test day. That way you can learn the speed limits of the major streets around the DMV, which are most likely faster than 25mph. Hope that helps!
Hello! If you are having trouble with keeping your hands and wheel still, you may be doing one or more of the following: - Looking too far behind you when you look over your shoulder: Make sure you are just doing a chin-to-shoulder-check. - Looking/staring for too long over your shoulder: Just do a quick glance and then get your focus back to the road ahead. - Not moving your head gracefully: While your blind spot check may be quick, you still want to do it as smoothly as possible without jerking your neck. - Holding the wheel to tightly with a death-grip: Remember, you want a firm yet relaxed grip on the steering wheel. - Sitting too far away from the steering wheel: You should be able to comfortably handle the wheel with a slight bend in your arms. See if focusing on improving those areas helps. Please let us know!
I’ve heard that driving instructors want you to exaggerate when checking blind spots and I thought that meant twisting your body to check. When I took my test I checked my blind spots by just turning my head but my instructor told me that I was not checking my blind spots. How am I supposed to exaggerate checking them? HELP LOL
Thanks for sharing Jessica, we completely understand your frustration! For blind spot checks, just remember it's a quick "chin to shoulder" glance - so you want to literally turn your head until your chin touches or almost touches your shoulder. If you do this, your instructor or examiner will have no doubt that you checked your blind spot. However, make sure your blind spot checks are brief glances (don't stare over your shoulder). Also, when you do the "chin to shoulder" check, make sure you are only turning your head and NOT your arms or body, as turning your arms or body could cause the steering wheel to move. Micah demonstrates some proper chin-to-shoulder blind spot checks here in the video: 3:05 Hope that helps and best of luck to you!
Hi Mankiran, thanks for commenting! The blind spot cameras found on many cars today can be very helpful and are a very nice to have feature, but it is still very important to check over your shoulder to really make sure your blind spot is clear. For example, if you are on the freeway, your blind spot camera may warn you if there is a car in the lane directly next to you, but it may not pick up a car that is 2-lanes away that could potentially be merging over towards you. Also, if you rely solely on blind spot cameras on your DMV test, the examiner will issue you an auto-fail. Regarding your other question, "how do you know if someone ones to turn in front of you?" - I am not 100% sure I understand what you are asking, but if you can clarify I will be happy to answer as best I can. Thanks Mankiran, we appreciate your support!
@@mankirankamaal174 Thanks Mankiran. It really depends on the situation you have in mind, so it is hard for me to comment exactly without knowing more specific details. With that said, you should always yield your right of way if it will help prevent a collision. You don't have control over another driver's actions, so if they insist on moving in front of you, then let them and try to create a space cushion with their vehicle to prevent a collision. If the situation is not dangerous and they are signalling that they want to move in front of you, then it is up to you if you want to let them over. If it is safe, the courteous thing to do would be to let them move ahead of you. However, it may not be safe for you to let them over if their is fast moving traffic behind you. You may get rear-ended from the faster traffic directly behind you if you suddenly slow down to let the other driver move in front of you. Not sure if that answers your question? Please let me know and we'll go from there. Thanks again!
@@DriversEdDirect I also have another question what if 2 cars approach an intersection across each other at the same time and both cars are signaling to go to the same lane one car wants to turn right which is the other cars left and wants to turn left ? Who’s turn would it be to go ? Should it be the car that is closer to that lane that can turn ? Who has the right of way ?
Not a dumb question at all, and one that many of our students ask us! When changing lanes, you only need to look over the shoulder in the direction you are moving towards. Hope that helps!
Hello! We use the SMOG acronym to help remember the order before lane changes: - Signal - Mirror - Over-the-Shoulder (blind spot check) - Go Of course, you can recheck your mirrors and/or blind spots at anytime - many challenging lane changes will require multiple re-checks of mirrors and blind spots. But in general, you check your mirrors first and then your blind spot.
@@DriversEdDirect Thank you Good advice from your videos. I just passed my test hell yeah. Just having trouble printing out temporary operator license offline. I'm still excited regardless also my first car.
Hello, great question! Checking your blind spots and using your mirrors are both essential for safe driving, but they serve different purposes. - Mirrors provide a view of the traffic behind and beside you, helping you stay aware of your surroundings. - Blind Spot Checks require turning your head to look over your shoulder to see areas that mirrors might not cover. Always remember to do a blind spot check in addition to using your mirrors, especially when changing lanes or merging. Checking our blind spots before changing lanes allows us to see what we may have missed in our mirrors. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
@@DriversEdDirectso they are basically the same thing? Cause I keep seeing both terms being used “check blind spots” and “looks over your shoulder” i noticed different websites use different terms and it makes me confused because I don’t know if they are the same or not.
Hi again! Yes, checking your blind spot and looking over your shoulder are closely related and essentially refer to the same thing. The key difference is that looking over your shoulder is the action you take to check your blind spot. In other words, looking over your shoulder is how you ensure your blind spot is clear before changing lanes or merging. Both are important to stay aware of your surroundings and stay safe on the road! Let us know if that makes sense and if you have any more questions!
Kind of sort of - if you look in the direction of your door handle (ie over your shoulder), you will see your blind spot, so that is true! But your blind spot is technically a large area that extends to the side and behind of your vehicle - basically anything you cannot see in your mirrors. Hope that helps!
Hello Karina - you got this! Just be the best driving version of yourself and do YOUR best, that's all anyone can do. Take a few deep breaths before your test starts and drive like you've been practicing. Please let us know how it goes!
Hello, thanks for sharing! While leaning forward to check your mirror can reveal some of what's in your blind spot, it can't show you the whole "blind spot picture". As Micah demonstrates at 1:32, even leaning forward and looking into his mirror doesn't reveal the large orange cone in his blind spot. That's why looking over your shoulder is the only true way to check your blind spot... both for your own safety, and also so you don't fail your license test!
Thanks for sharing! Don’t worry, it happens to a lot of people. Blind spots can be tricky, but with practice, it becomes second nature! Best of luck when you go back to take the test! If you need any more tips or help, don’t hesitate to reach out!
I took the “head over the shoulder” too literally and looked almost behind me sometimes. Glad people are clarifying
Thanks for sharing Gavin, sounds like you've got it now - stay safe out there!
@@DriversEdDirect I passed my test today and I could’ve lost points if I did it the way I did. Thanks, I’ll be safe
@@gavinbecker1952 CONGRATS to you on passing!! We'll see you out on the road, Gavin!
Me too!
Lmfao
This really clarifies it. I was turning all the way around.
Thank you, now you got it! Quick chin-to-shoulder blind spot checks are all you really need! As you probably learned the hard way, fully turning all the way around takes your eyes off the road ahead for too long, and it also increases the chance you will drift out of your lane. Thanks for the feedback, stay safe out there!
Omg me too😅
Me too & felt dangerous taking my eyes off the road
Finally. I took my 1st road test & he kept yelling at me to check my blind spots and i couldn’t figure out how and when and why he kept saying it so thank you so much for this video.
Sorry you got yelled at, that is never fun! Glad our video helped, we wish you better luck next time!!
@@DriversEdDirect i was studying this video all of last night, took my test this morning & passed. This channel is truly a god send!
Blind spot checks are so important, this explains it perfectly in minutes: ua-cam.com/video/Z0LOy6YC-sI/v-deo.htmlsi=g2HbCffKPGaTfTII
Not all heroes wear capes. Very concise and detailed video about blind spot and shoulder check. Really appreciate you demonstrating the blind spot with the cone too at 1:22. 👍
Thanks for that very kind feedback, we appreciate you!!
You're great. I like how calm you are when you explain things and you give good detail rather than a hurried explanation. Thank you so much.
Thank you for that nice comment, we appreciate it!
I got failed for not checking my blind spots and I did so good still so mad about it but this video definitely helped for me to retake my test next month thank you so much
Im retaking mine on Tuesday 😅
We're sorry to hear about your experience, but it’s great that you found the video helpful! You've got this for your retake next month! If you have any questions or need more tips, we’re here for you!
Good luck on your retake! Let us know how it goes!
Just like me
Same. I try again in 3 weeks.
Glad to hear this tip, my neck has been hurting for checking my blind spots.
Happy to help!!
THANK YOU. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I HAD TO LOOK BACK AT THE BACK PASSENGER WINDOW. Thank you so much for this clarification because i would start to steer off into the other lanes.
Thanks for the kind words - so glad we could help clarify this for you! You are exactly right - staring completely behind you takes your eyes off the road ahead of you for too long, which is so dangerous and leads to drifting into other lanes. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much for this video. I am a new driver and got my car a week and a half ago. I made a really big mistake today, I was lucky the car behind me was paying attention... I merged to my left lane and a car was in my blind spot. No accident luckily. But it was a major mistake and now I am terrified as to why I didn't think to check my blind spot. I just checked my mirrors and decided to go, but obviously I need to rethink again... this video is really helpful!
Thank you for sharing your story, definitely a needed reminder for all of us about how important blind spot checks are! So glad to hear that you didn't get into an accident, and thankful that you are able to learn from the mistake. With an attitude like that, you will be a great defensive driver sooner than later! Stay safe out there and thanks for your support!!
Thank you for being so calm when explaining. It eased my worries
Thanks Layla, so glad to hear you say that. Best of luck to you!
this is so helpful! when people told me to “shoulder check” i would look all the way behind me and look through the passenger window. thanks for the clarification!
Glad we could help you! Thank you for watching!
I love the way you explain things, as in what one could do wrong in spite of of the rules taught in the school.
Appreciate that feedback, thanks for watching!!
this is what i have been looking for.. thanks for the info. God bless you
Thank you so much, Kevin & Shekay! Glad you found our Blind Spot video helpful, we appreciate the feedback always. Happy Driving!
Excellent...Thank you! I'm a fairly new driver and blind spots caught me off guard. Did not know there was such a thing until I started driving. They don't teach this.
Thank you for watching and glad we could help you learn about blind spots! As you are finding out, checking them is very important. Stay safe out there!
It’s actually pretty good that they make sure that we can check our blind spots by ourselves because just recently my mother got into an accident with someone who over relied on their car to tell them what was in their blind spot.
Yes, that is very true, thanks for sharing! While technology can definitely help and assist us, we still need to drive intelligently and do all of the proper traffic checks. Hope your mother is doing okay!
We’re fine, thankfully my mother was noticed her a while back and was able to pull to the left enough to end up with just a long scratch on the side of the passenger doors but no major damage.
I failed my first road test with 45 points total deducted because I didn’t know how to properly traffic and shoulder check I found your videos and studied them for about a month I retook my exam this morning and passed with 19 points total deducted (In Wisconsin the minimum passing score is 80) I was extremely afraid because I begin college next week and was worried about not getting my license in time but I did!! Thank you for posting these videos
You did it! Thank you for sharing and CONGRATS to you on passing!
I failed my first test due to this as well, but tomorrow I take it again. I hope I pass! Thanks for explaining this well!
Thanks for sharing your story! You got this, please let us know how it goes!
@@DriversEdDirect I passed!!!! She told me that I did really good with my blind spots!! I only got 4 points off 😄 Thanks for this well explained video!!
@@SmeliNeli AWESOME JOB! Huge accomplishment and thanks again for sharing this part of your driving journey with us. Stay safe out there and see you on the road!
Really great video. I find it very annoying how there is not much videos out there like this explaining things simply, calmly and in detail. Most of them are haughty, arrogant and annoying and/or don't go into details at all. Nice to know there are great videos like this for idiots like myself, that need a detailed explanation for things that most people can do without much problem. Thank you 😄
PS. I haven"t checked your channel yet so I don't know, but in case you didn't could you make a video about your experience with or tips for people with adhd it would be greatly appreciated.😊
Thank you for your kind words, we appreciate it!! A video with tips for drivers with ADHD would be beneficial, I will add it to our list! Thanks!
I needed this video. I don't want to get into an accident because I did not check my blind spots. I need to remember to turn my head and look over my left or my right shoulder. This is something I need to make sure I do.
You got it Ayesha, keep up the great attitude!
I have my drivers test today at 3pm! Thanks for your video. Very helpful because I wasn’t sure how often I should be checking my blind spots. Wish me luck😬🙌🏼☺️
Thanks for sharing and let us know how it goes. You got this Alyssa!
I passed everyone! I was more nervous then I should of been. For anyone in Phoenix I went to the south mountain dmv and the first thing you do is the 3 point turn. If you pass that you move onto the driving part. We did a few stop signs, turned right and turned left at an intersection, so practice that and lane changing. This video was helpful on when to check my blind spots so thank you! Good luck to everyone near and far, I believe in you☺️
@@alyssachilds5352 Thanks again for letting us know how it went, and keep up that great attitude of yours! Congrats on taking home that license!!
I passed my driving test today. This video is really helpful. Thanks
Glad it helped! CONGRATS on passing!!!
2024 and this video was so helpful didn’t know how to do it properly!
Glad we could help out! Thanks for watching!
That’s the best video ever please follow this guy cause he knows how to explain everything I failed before this video after I saw it I passed thank you so much God bless you!
Thank you so much and CONGRATS on passing!!!
just fyi: when i took my dmv test, i rented a fancy, newer version car with all the technology: blind spot checker, parking sensor, etc. my dmv intructor actually asked me to turn off all these technologies before we did the test.
Thanks Angel, that is great information and very true! Some DMV examiners even cover up the back-up camera when you are reversing - they really want to make sure you can safely operate a vehicle without the aid of a lot of the newer technology that isn't found on every car you may drive. Thanks for sharing!
@@DriversEdDirect My DMV instructor covered up the camera when she asked me to reverse. I passed at my first attempt.
Thank you for crystal clear explanation.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks!
Nice illustration of the blind spot and why we need to check it.
Thank you, Nivedita!
Best explanation I saw here thank you so much
Thank you Anna!
failed my road test in MA i guess it was from the instructor not seeing me move my head from shoulder to chin! thanks for the tip
Glad it helped! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely good tutorial video
Thank you!!
I literally didn't pass cause of this last week! 😢 blind spots are hard for me to do even though I been driving for years 🫣 I'm taking my test again today I will definitely apply this 🙏🏼 thank you
Thank you for sharing that! Check out this DMV Drive Test video - it will definitely help as it goes over all the times you need to check over your shoulder and much more: ua-cam.com/video/m7h5bLIIoNI/v-deo.html
Best of luck to you on your next test!!
I actually love this guy, this is awesome
Thanks so much, we love Micah too!
Thank you so much for your great tips on how to check blind spots..preparing for my driving exam 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Sir
Best of luck on your driving exam! Let us know how it goes!
@@DriversEdDirect I'm veryyyy happy I passed my G driving test today. It was a HappyDay.😎 🚘🫶
Nice! We're happy for you! CONGRATS on passing! 🎉 If you have any questions while on your driving journey, please feel free to ask!
@DriversEdDirect thank you so much. I will thank you again for your kindness and support Coolest Teacher 🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️🫶🫶🫶🫶🍂Happy Fall Season.🌳🍁🍃.
Bro my first test failed cuz I forgot to do this when getting out of parallel parking. Woulda passed otherwise. Second test, I just forgot to turn off the ebreak. But either way both examiners sounded rude and looked very judge mental, wish I had someone like you. Third time is a charm, this Thursday
Thanks Nathaniel. Like you said, third time's the charm, you got this! Let us know how it goes.
Thank you for sharing this tips , I am practicing for my test
Thank you Miriam, best of luck to you!!
As a scared 32 year old finally trying to learn, thank you for clarify 😊
Glad we could help! If you have any questions or need more clarification, feel free to ask!
Best video ever! Good job sir!
Thank you, we appreciate those kind words!
Hi! When I am driving a car that’s more like a SUV or a car that’s just built bigger, I have a hard time with blind spots. Some cars are better and I can see everything if I look back but the bigger cars you can’t see the very back window on the left side. Your shoulder check has me in doubt because my mirrors have lied to me before and I feel better if I can see all the way back. 😂
You have a really calm voice
Thank you!
Great video! Thank you!
Thanks Abigail!
Super helpful! Thank you!
You're welcome!
I did my roadtest the first time and I had an automatic fail because I didn’t do enough shoulderchecks
Thanks for sharing, Qetsia! Yeah, checking over your shoulder is definitely one of those things that the DMV looks for on your test. Plus shoulder-checks are important for a long life of safe driving. Hopefully you pass your second drive test!
Same here! Just today!
@@magdieldesalas2600 Thanks for sharing Magdiel! We've got to check those blind spots ALWAYS!
@@DriversEdDirect Thank you again. They didn’t stress that in my country.
What do you mean? Shoulder checks when you change lanes, or the cautious kind of left right or rear view check?
Millions thanks.
You're welcome (times a million)!
I love watching your videos. You explain very good.
Thank you and so glad you like them!
Well detailed thanks
Glad it was helpful!
I actually failed my test for not doing this enough and I also hit the curb doing parallel park and at the beginning to top it all off I forgot to put my e-brake down…😅I don’t have the $280 to take my test in their car again and it’s rough looking for a car with an e-brake in the middle luckily my cousin has one an old Camry he doesn’t drive anymore but it’s in the shop and the registry officer told me to come back next week i am more frustrated with myself because I got more than just this going on in my life I need this to get my life in order
Hi there! Thanks for sharing! You're one step closer, and it’s great you have a car to work with. Keep going, you’ve got this! Let us know if you need any tips and keep us posted!
Hello! NY here question about turning blind spots - so I have my license but have some driving anxiety and still love watching these videos, recently I read from Canadian UA-camrs that they check the blind before turning and California does as well and according to the DMV of California, how should we go about checking blinds on right turns in super dark areas at night? Most of suburbs NY isn’t built for bikes so I’m guessing it isn’t needed (I still do it makes me feel better!)
Oddly enough in suburb NY we aren’t told or taught to check our blinds before turns so are a lot of people in the US, however I know in California you are and all major Canadian cities because of bikes lanes, though around where I live we see so many bike lanes and I would not be shock if every DMV starts to teach blind before right! Thanks for any help have a good one!
Hello and thanks for sharing! Yes, we always recommend checking your blind-spots just in case. You might check them 1000 times without seeing anything there, but at some point in your life you'll be glad you checked because something will actually be in your blind spot. Just remember S.M.O.G. - Signal, Mirrors, Over-the-Shoulder, Go - so basically anytime you signal, follow it up with mirror checks and over the shoulder checks. Hope that helps!
Trith if the matter is that if you are a teuly attentive driver in a passenger vehicle you should never have any blind spots.
Your eyes are constantly checking rear and side view mirrors even as you are progressing forward. Only when, as a driver, You are not in contact, or have lost contact with your "traffic situation" do I recommend taking your eyes off the road even briefly.
Really great video, I also have struggled with completely looking around my back to shoulder check, not exactly knowing what I was doing (I'm still taking driving lessons, and have for almost a year now, which is "embarrassing" for me since I'm almost 30), so this helps a lot.
Just to clarify, what you're looking for is a vehicle that's basically right next to your car's driver or passenger window? Is it for both front and back seat windows? Sorry if this is a dumb question. 😅
Hello! There are no dumb questions, thank you for asking! Yes, you're looking for vehicles, objects or potential pedestrians that might be in your blind spot. When checking your blind spot, a quick glance lets you see everything next to your car-both the driver’s and passenger’s sides-because your peripheral vision covers it all at once. Remember a blind spot check is a QUICK glance from chin-to-shoulder, either to the left or right, depending on which way you are moving your car. Also, don't be embarrassed! It's always good to learn and those lessons will boost your confidence out on the road!! Hope this helps, and best of luck to you!
Thank you! :D
this helps so much thank u!!!
Thank you, glad we could help!
I needed to learn this 😭🥺 thank you
Thank you so much for all of your support!
Thanks 🙏
Thanks Rose!
Very helpful video thank you 🙏
Thank you so much Nicky, please be safe out there!
Love these videos it is helping me a lot.
Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!
I've been questioning, should you should check your blindspot first, then turn on your signal or turn on your signal and check your blindspot. Or are both of these correct?
Hello! For sure always check your blind spot after your signal is on and you have checked your mirrors, directly before you change lanes or make a turn. If you use the acronym S.MO.G., it will help you remember the order:
- Signal
- Mirrors
- Over-The-Shoulder (Blind Spot Check)
- Go
With that said, there is no reason why you cannot check your blind spots at others times as well, just make sure to use quick glances. Hope that helps!
This Channel is great! Very informative! I subscribed immediately.
Thanks for the subscribe Aria! We really appreciate your support 🙏
I failed my road test partially because I didn't check my blind spots. I wish I had seen this video before the road test.
Thanks for sharing, best of luck to you!
Same here,
@@ramzeyj7142 Passed on my third attempt
Same! Road test instructor check ALL the blind spot check boxes for me lol and let me know that I can't rely only on my mirrors.
Finally someone who doesnt speak bullshit.❤❤
When I’m lane changing should I check my blind spot and then turn on my blinker or the other way around
Hello! A great acronym to remember when changing lanes is SMOG (Signal, Mirror, Over-the-Shoulder, then Go) - you signal first, make sure you check your mirrors, look over your shoulder then go.
I think you might find this video helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6TgFxB32fnE/v-deo.html
In this video instructor Ben does over a dozen lane changes, going through them step by step which I find to be very helpful. Hope this will help!
I wish driving videos were more kind and patient like these instead of some oldhead ridiculing you for making mistakes
Thank you for those kind words!
I have a question when I park to the curb because the examiner want’s us to reverse test so before parking should I check my blind spot
Hello! Anytime before you park at a curb, you definitely want to check your blind spot first. Also, before you reverse, make sure you check behind you , looking over both shoulders first. Please watch this video for a better explanation: ua-cam.com/video/SNXqsTRhJ80/v-deo.html
Hope that helps!
Thank you😊
You're welcome 😊
My question is simple: Can you safely do shoulder check on a highway switching lanes at 80-90km/hr? I haven't seen an instructor demonstrate this.
Hello! Great question. Yes, you definitely need to do shoulder checks when making lane changes at high speeds. We will add that idea to the list of videos to make, thanks!!
DO you have a vdieo on how to parallel park, if you do can you please link me it
Hello! We do have a parallel parking video, please find it here: ua-cam.com/video/QHHwbOG3W_c/v-deo.html
Thanks for reaching out!!
The question is where do you look for the blind spot. Take a quick look at MIDDLE of the BACK DOOR WINDOW.
You explained more in 5 minutes than my teacher explained in 10 lessons.
Thanks for the support, be safe out there!
The man said I wasn’t looking back and I was he said my turns where to slow i was going to 15 to 20 on my turn
Thats what I did consistently each turn how did I still fail 😭
Sorry to hear you failed, but don't give up! Practicing will help you pass next time. Best of luck to you!
When turning from a residential street onto a major street and there is no immediate visible speed limit sign (it is posted further back), what speed should I drive? 25 still? (For the purposes of the test since there was no visible sign in my route that came up yet, Even if I know the street is 35mph). Or would 25 mph be too slow bc other traffic is likely going the speed limit(35) or faster while I’m still at 25?
Hello again! Great question and a tricky one. If you know for certain the speed limit is 35mph from previous experience, then of course you should go the speed limit if conditions allow it. However, as you noted, if you are unsure of what the posted speed limit is, then 25mph is technically the assumed speed limit. With that said, it's good to get to know the area of your driving test prior to your test day. That way you can learn the speed limits of the major streets around the DMV, which are most likely faster than 25mph. Hope that helps!
Every time i check my blindspot i have trouble keeping my hands and the wheel still...is there something i can do to prevent that??
Hello! If you are having trouble with keeping your hands and wheel still, you may be doing one or more of the following:
- Looking too far behind you when you look over your shoulder: Make sure you are just doing a chin-to-shoulder-check.
- Looking/staring for too long over your shoulder: Just do a quick glance and then get your focus back to the road ahead.
- Not moving your head gracefully: While your blind spot check may be quick, you still want to do it as smoothly as possible without jerking your neck.
- Holding the wheel to tightly with a death-grip: Remember, you want a firm yet relaxed grip on the steering wheel.
- Sitting too far away from the steering wheel: You should be able to comfortably handle the wheel with a slight bend in your arms.
See if focusing on improving those areas helps. Please let us know!
@@DriversEdDirect thank you so muchhh
I’ve heard that driving instructors want you to exaggerate when checking blind spots and I thought that meant twisting your body to check. When I took my test I checked my blind spots by just turning my head but my instructor told me that I was not checking my blind spots. How am I supposed to exaggerate checking them? HELP LOL
Thanks for sharing Jessica, we completely understand your frustration! For blind spot checks, just remember it's a quick "chin to shoulder" glance - so you want to literally turn your head until your chin touches or almost touches your shoulder. If you do this, your instructor or examiner will have no doubt that you checked your blind spot. However, make sure your blind spot checks are brief glances (don't stare over your shoulder). Also, when you do the "chin to shoulder" check, make sure you are only turning your head and NOT your arms or body, as turning your arms or body could cause the steering wheel to move. Micah demonstrates some proper chin-to-shoulder blind spot checks here in the video: 3:05
Hope that helps and best of luck to you!
@@DriversEdDirect thank you so much for replying! I will try my best to do as Micah did in the video!
@@Jessica-pn5dv Thank you, you got this Jessica!
There are also blind spot cameras plus how do you know if someone ones to turn in front of you ?
Hi Mankiran, thanks for commenting! The blind spot cameras found on many cars today can be very helpful and are a very nice to have feature, but it is still very important to check over your shoulder to really make sure your blind spot is clear. For example, if you are on the freeway, your blind spot camera may warn you if there is a car in the lane directly next to you, but it may not pick up a car that is 2-lanes away that could potentially be merging over towards you. Also, if you rely solely on blind spot cameras on your DMV test, the examiner will issue you an auto-fail. Regarding your other question, "how do you know if someone ones to turn in front of you?" - I am not 100% sure I understand what you are asking, but if you can clarify I will be happy to answer as best I can. Thanks Mankiran, we appreciate your support!
@@DriversEdDirect what do you do if someone wants to turn in front of you?
@@DriversEdDirect maybe their flashing lights
@@mankirankamaal174 Thanks Mankiran. It really depends on the situation you have in mind, so it is hard for me to comment exactly without knowing more specific details. With that said, you should always yield your right of way if it will help prevent a collision. You don't have control over another driver's actions, so if they insist on moving in front of you, then let them and try to create a space cushion with their vehicle to prevent a collision. If the situation is not dangerous and they are signalling that they want to move in front of you, then it is up to you if you want to let them over. If it is safe, the courteous thing to do would be to let them move ahead of you. However, it may not be safe for you to let them over if their is fast moving traffic behind you. You may get rear-ended from the faster traffic directly behind you if you suddenly slow down to let the other driver move in front of you. Not sure if that answers your question? Please let me know and we'll go from there. Thanks again!
@@DriversEdDirect I also have another question what if 2 cars approach an intersection across each other at the same time and both cars are signaling to go to the same lane one car wants to turn right which is the other cars left and wants to turn left ? Who’s turn would it be to go ? Should it be the car that is closer to that lane that can turn ? Who has the right of way ?
Dumb question, do I only need to check the shoulder in the change I’m going?Or both ways no matter what?
Not a dumb question at all, and one that many of our students ask us! When changing lanes, you only need to look over the shoulder in the direction you are moving towards. Hope that helps!
@@DriversEdDirect thank you guys a lot, I passed my written test the other day because of your help. 👍
When do we use the damn mirrors before or after blind checking in lane changes.
Hello! We use the SMOG acronym to help remember the order before lane changes:
- Signal
- Mirror
- Over-the-Shoulder (blind spot check)
- Go
Of course, you can recheck your mirrors and/or blind spots at anytime - many challenging lane changes will require multiple re-checks of mirrors and blind spots. But in general, you check your mirrors first and then your blind spot.
@@DriversEdDirect Thank you Good advice from your videos. I just passed my test hell yeah. Just having trouble printing out temporary operator license offline. I'm still excited regardless also my first car.
What was that music from the background in the beginning and the end of the video?
Is checking blind spot and looking over the mirror the same thing?
Hello, great question! Checking your blind spots and using your mirrors are both essential for safe driving, but they serve different purposes.
- Mirrors provide a view of the traffic behind and beside you, helping you stay aware of your surroundings.
- Blind Spot Checks require turning your head to look over your shoulder to see areas that mirrors might not cover.
Always remember to do a blind spot check in addition to using your mirrors, especially when changing lanes or merging. Checking our blind spots before changing lanes allows us to see what we may have missed in our mirrors. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!
@@DriversEdDirectso they are basically the same thing? Cause I keep seeing both terms being used “check blind spots” and “looks over your shoulder” i noticed different websites use different terms and it makes me confused because I don’t know if they are the same or not.
Hi again! Yes, checking your blind spot and looking over your shoulder are closely related and essentially refer to the same thing. The key difference is that looking over your shoulder is the action you take to check your blind spot. In other words, looking over your shoulder is how you ensure your blind spot is clear before changing lanes or merging. Both are important to stay aware of your surroundings and stay safe on the road! Let us know if that makes sense and if you have any more questions!
Great
Thanks!
You would see that cone if you had a cheap set of stick on blind spot mirrors. Cost around $4 in Wal-Mart.
so blind spot is basically where your door handle is?
Kind of sort of - if you look in the direction of your door handle (ie over your shoulder), you will see your blind spot, so that is true! But your blind spot is technically a large area that extends to the side and behind of your vehicle - basically anything you cannot see in your mirrors. Hope that helps!
i’m so nervous my test is in the morningggggg
Hello Karina - you got this! Just be the best driving version of yourself and do YOUR best, that's all anyone can do. Take a few deep breaths before your test starts and drive like you've been practicing. Please let us know how it goes!
@@DriversEdDirect i passed !
yeah i kept turning my head all the way like a bird or something this helps
Thanks for watching!
I know someone who just leans forward and looks into their mirror to check their blind spot.
Hello, thanks for sharing! While leaning forward to check your mirror can reveal some of what's in your blind spot, it can't show you the whole "blind spot picture". As Micah demonstrates at 1:32, even leaning forward and looking into his mirror doesn't reveal the large orange cone in his blind spot. That's why looking over your shoulder is the only true way to check your blind spot... both for your own safety, and also so you don't fail your license test!
You have to adjust mirrors out the way the SAE prescribes
ua-cam.com/video/QIkodlp8HMM/v-deo.html
I failed my first road test purely for the fact that I didnt check my blindspot enough
Thanks for sharing! Don’t worry, it happens to a lot of people. Blind spots can be tricky, but with practice, it becomes second nature! Best of luck when you go back to take the test! If you need any more tips or help, don’t hesitate to reach out!
I love you
Thaaaaaanks, I am from Brazil I am in Mass now. I saw lot of videos but Now I have what I need. 🤓🤓🤓🤓
Thanks for that nice feedback, welcome to the States!