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TSizzle
Jul 25th, 2012, 10:21 PM
Hi All, I took my G2 Exit Test at Port Union. This is a long read but I encourage those looking to do their G2 Exit Test to skim over this as I will note down both what they mark on and my bad experience.

I went for my G Test, I had over 75 000KM+ of experience and never had any traffic violations or accidents thus I felt I confident I can pass the test with ease. However, that was not the case. I did have an unwelcoming examiner (I don’t know if I am allowed to identify him publicly). I attempted to greet him upon his entrance in my vehicle and he abruptly declared he does not wish to converse with me in any personal manner… Fair enough, we continued with the examination.

I am still a student, and owning a car was a requirement for my job. Aside for the ridiculous insurance premiums I pay for my age… I had to purchase the car with my savings while saving up for my next school term. It helps financially to pick up good driving practices when it comes to maintaining a car. I naturally accelerate at 2500 RPM and only rev past 3000 rpm when safety is in question or if I am disturbing the flow of traffic (this gives me better mileage). I also avoid using my brakes unnecessarily and tend to gradually come to a stop (I’m considering my brake pads, tires…). It works for me and I usually drive in the right lane going at the speed of traffic, so it does not really bother the drivers behind me. If they do start to tailgate me, I let them pass if possible or I speed up.

We initiated the exam in regards to the residential aspect on Tideswell Blvd and continued on that road till Porthclair Ct. Then we exited at Durnford Rd and Sheppard. During this time he had me perform a Parallel Park, a Three-Point Turn, and several left and right turns.

On my Parallel Park I was marked off for: No Traffic Check, Over 2 Pull-Up, Not Parallel to Curb, and Space, and Slow Exit. I will NOT accept fault for no traffic check as I gave right-of-way to the Dodge Caravan behind me and only performed the parallel park after there was no vehicle behind me. I did perform 2 pull-ups but I will NOT accept fault for MORE THAN 2 Pull-Ups. I can not comment on whether or not I was parallel to the curb. From my perspective I can defiantly say the angle between my car and the curb was probably less than 5 degrees. I really have no idea what he meant by space? I parallel parked in busy downtown roads many times and space was never issue because my car and the neighboring cars had an optimal space for easy exit and entrance. In regards to slow exit, I can tell you I was in and out within 30 seconds; he marked down points because I failed to accelerate out of my parking spot at his comfort speed.

On my Three-Point-Turn I was marked off for No Signal, Not Parallel, Not 30 cm to the Curb, and Slow Resume. I did not move all the way to the right shoulder prior my three point turn, I will accept fault for not signaling to the right shoulder and not moving 30 cm to the curb. Marking me down for a slow resume is unfair because I do not see the need to rev my vehicle beyond 3000 rpm to get up to 40 km/h. What I did was I gradually accelerated to 40 km/h at 2500 rpm, where I was yelled at by the examiner for not accelerating at a faster pace. I spoke regarding this with his supervisor and informed him how we are at a residential zone where children may be at play and bicycles are around, I will not jeopardize the safety of the public by the unsafe driving behavior the instructor was promoting.

On my turns I was noted down for using poor traffic check, failing to look at my side mirrors before placing my feet on the brake to slow down for the turn. I was also marked down for not looking left and right before proceeding through the intersection. I will NOT accept fault here because if I failed to look left, right left I don’t understand how I knew when all cars have passed and when it is safe to proceed through the stop intersection. I was also marked down points for a not going at traffic speed and slow acceleration once we left the intersection at 2500 rpm. I don’t see how I am conducting safe vehicle operation if I fail to be cautious at the intersection and zoom out. From my experience traffic disruptions aren’t caused by acceleration at 2500 rpm at a residential area where the speed limit is 40km/h. And it is unfair to mark me down for not going at speed limit because I just left the stop intersection, I’m positive within the next second or two, I will complete my acceleration and be cruising at 40.

At the Business area which spanned from Durnford Rd and Sheppard till Kingston Road and Hwy 2A. I conducted several turns, at least 4 lane changes and was tested on general driving habits in on the roadways. Here I was marked down for sharp lane changes and having my signal on after 5 seconds. I personally felt my lane changes are fine and I was marked down for having the signal on for more than 5 seconds because I signaled left to merge into the left turn lane and my signal remained on till I performed my left turn. I was also marked down for not checking my mirrors within 10 seconds of entering the business area and travelling at an uneven speed. I was marked down for travelling at an uneven speed because my examiner was not happy that I avoided pushing my rpm above 2500 and I tended to gradually stop at a red light (as in feet immediately off the gas once the light runs red and coast to a stop at the line… I do not tend drive at 60 then immediately apply brake at the line). Also I was marked down points for: not having my feet on the brake and not looking left and right when driving through the intersection during the green light. I will take fault here because I never had a habit for looking out for idiots who tend to run red lights at major intersection.

Now we entered the Expressway at Kingston Road and Hwy 2A, the examiner felt I am signaling too late. As outlined on the MTO’s handbook, “turn on your signal as soon as traffic on the freeway is able to see your vehicle on the ramp” which I did. However my examiner felt I had to do it even earlier. I was under the impression I am to drive to MTO’s standards and not to his. I was marked off 2 points for this.

Now we exit the expressway and reenter the same highway using a different ramp located at Lawson Road and Kingston. This is where I start to lose it because of his cruel joke. I absolutely had it with him from our sour introduction and his yelling and criticism regarding my driving. So we were on the verge of entering a freeway ramp and he jokes about my ability to get to 80km/h by the bridge which is less than 100m away from us. His eye is on my speedometer the whole time and as we hit the bridge I just hit 65km/h however he marked me down with more points for slow entry and not watching my spacing as I entered. I am not an idiot and I did my research. The average acceleration of a compact sized vehicle from 0-80km/h is 7.72 ft/s2 at its finest acceleration. By the application of physics in order for me to make it to bridge and be at 80km/h will require an acceleration of 11.8 ft/s2. I am sorry examiner but your humor in failing me is not appreciated and is only going to work against you as governed by the laws of physics. I will exercise my right to my fullest and ministry of transportation has been informed of you.

The fact he had humor in marking me down for slow highway entry really pushed me to anger and at the exit he started yelling how the ramp speed does not need to be followed and my exit is terrible because I’m going at the speed of the ramp. At this point I remained calm and followed his instructions and completed my test at the rear of the building where he requested my engine to remain on to enjoy the comfort of my air conditioner and announced my failing score. I demanded him to go over my mistakes to which he said I can read it off my yellow slip myself. He enjoyed the comfort of my car so much where he proclaimed if this car turns off he will leave because he wants the air conditioner running. I didn’t really care about his comfort and turned off the car and went straight to the front desk and demanded to review my test with the supervisor. The supervisor claims he has strict guideline from the ministry and can’t help me. He refused to provide me which his name and told me to contact the ministry and advised not to indicate the behavior of his examiner.

I accumulated 40 marks off although I only agree with 15 of them. The reason for my reason for disqualification is too many driving errors. I feel that 25 of the errors the examiner marked me with are untrue and caused me the disqualification. I will contact the appropriate authorities and have them look into this, his marking is not representative of my driving abilities. However, this experience has provided me with an opportunity to observe the 15 valid mistakes in my driving and learn from them to better prepare myself for my next drive test. My next drive test I will refuse to be examined by the same person if possible.

Thank you for taking you time to read, suggestion/feedback/criticism/advice is welcomed.

DJ_Peanuts22
Jul 25th, 2012, 10:30 PM
You should file a complaint with their customer service department and forward them a copy of your test sheet along with this post.

TSizzle
Jul 25th, 2012, 11:13 PM
You should file a complaint with their customer service department and forward them a copy of your test sheet along with this post.
Thanks bud, I am also considering the complaint letter too but I don’t want to come across as another angry kid who is mad that he failed and is nitpicking every little thing.

I am hoping my post does not present me in that manner. I did mention every mark I got taken off, but that was not to make me look desperate. I included it in case it helps anyone on this forum prepare for their road-test.

cliff
Jul 26th, 2012, 11:29 PM
*****

+1, all I see are a bunch of excuses and bad habits. Not trying to be harsh but:

Can you honestly find one other person out there who is concerned about their car's mileage during a G2 test? Drive normally and it won't be a problem, you are in the car for 20min at the most - at worst it will be an extra $2 for fuel, how much is a re-test going to cost?

You may be trying to apply the laws of physics, but I don't know of any on ramps in the GTA where it is difficult/impossible to get to highway speed before you need to merge into the driving lanes if you are paying attention to what you are doing.

You also say you agree with 15 of the marks - it's been a while isn't that enough to fail on their own? Either way, you still have a bunch to work on, you really shouldn't be getting any marks taken off if you are truly prepared.

Take the examiners advice - even if it's not fair, it's their job to make sure you know and follow the rules and natural flow of the roads even if it isn't codified in the drivers handbook. It might even save your or someone you love life's one day.

TSizzle
Jul 27th, 2012, 01:53 AM
*****

+1, all I see are a bunch of excuses and bad habits. Not trying to be harsh but:

Can you honestly find one other person out there who is concerned about their car's mileage during a G2 test? Drive normally and it won't be a problem, you are in the car for 20min at the most - at worst it will be an extra $2 for fuel, how much is a re-test going to cost?

You may be trying to apply the laws of physics, but I don't know of any on ramps in the GTA where it is difficult/impossible to get to highway speed before you need to merge into the driving lanes if you are paying attention to what you are doing.

You also say you agree with 15 of the marks - it's been a while isn't that enough to fail on their own? Either way, you still have a bunch to work on, you really shouldn't be getting any marks taken off if you are truly prepared.

Take the examiners advice - even if it's not fair, it's their job to make sure you know and follow the rules and natural flow of the roads even if it isn't codified in the drivers handbook. It might even save your or someone you love life's one day.

Cliff- Thanks for elaborating on the initial post, I did not intend my post to portray me as a cocky person with excess attitude. I understand the point you are making and appreciate the constructive criticism. You say there are excuses and bad habits within my initial posts. If you can elaborate on where you feel I am making excuses that would be appreciated. I want to also stress the importance of taking advice from examiners, its true that one day a life may be saved.

I believe my habit of light acceleration/braking is what you refer to as my bad habits. I agree that the cars mileage is defiantly not worth the extra $75 the second examination will cost. But in my defence, I want to note that this is a driving habit I developed over the years of driving. It has never occurred to me that my drive style jeopardizes public safety. Furthermore, the fuel economy of my vehicle is 6.5 L/100km hwy and 9.0 city. At the completion of my DriveTest my car calculates my mileage at exactly 8.9 L/100km. I do not want to say my driving style is flawless but according to the engineers at Mitsubitshi, I am driving the way my car is meant to be driven.

In response to the comment regarding the highway entry, I want to clarify this is not a major 400 series highway, rather an extension of Kingston road where the speed limit turns 80 km/h. The issue I had here was the instructing snickering about my ability to get to 80km/h by the bridge underpass. I will agree with you… it is not difficult to merge into the at highway speed in most cases but in my case please consider the aerial photograph of the location: http://goo.gl/maps/5346 Note, that I had to stop at the point A for the yield sign, then take off once the lane was free of cars. Point B was the start of the underpass where the examiner expected me to be at 80km/h. Mind you, if it was possible to make it to the bridge by 80 km/h, I am subjective to being marked off for too fast entry.

(sidenote: There is alot of subjective marking in this exam.. in the end of the day you don't always pass based on how well you drove, rather your chances of passing depends on which instructor you get and which examination centre you go to... see: http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/549793)

In order to pass the G2 Exit Test, you are excused for 30 mistakes. Any examinee with an accumulation of over 30 errors will be failed with reason being “too many driving errors.”

I am not making any excuses for myself and take fault for my 15 driving errors. I am happy my examiner noted that down and it will help me become a better driver, and like you said, maybe one day save my life. In regards to the other 25 errors, the marking was unfair. The next available road-test was offered in late August where I will be on vacation. I need my G for work next year and I need to work around my tight schedule to allocate time for a second roadtest. Like you said it’s the examiner’s job to make sure I know and follow the rules and natural flow of the roads. What you fail to acknowledge was the unsafe driving behaviour he was promoting during my roadtest. I feel I was not provided adequate service by the examiner and his ability to correctly report on driver observation and road testing was substantially jeopardized due to his personal behaviour (not courteous, excess yelling, bad temper, cruel joking).

Again, It’s not my intent for this post to portray me as a cocky person with excess attitude but I will not tolerate an examiner abusing his privileges, it is my responsibility to take measures to help improve public services and take corrective action when due.

As always I welcome your feedbacks.