How to Shoulder (Head) Check When Turning & Changing Lanes

Just passed my test after watching this video many times 😂

I have my roadtest tomorrow and the last time I failed to do it hopefully I will pass for the third try.

Appreciate this video a lot! It is really helpful!

Thank you, this was extremely helpful!

Hello Smart Drive Test, I'd like to see a video on switching lanes at night. When I drive at night, I often have trouble gauging if there is a car in the lane next to me since there are so many headlights on even when doing shoulder checks. Thank you for your time.

Are you suppose to look in rear view also for people behind us while turning/changing lanes?

do we just shoulder check the side where we are turning? if i am turning left do i just shoulder check my blindspot on the left?

thanks best teacher

I'm glad that these types of videos exist since this was the main thing I had to work on when passing my road test

Can you help me understand what the half-block check is for if there cant be anyone to your right (assuming youre turning right)?

I came on your videos recently. I've been driving for a while and this is how I set my mirrors. Sit up straight in the drivers seat and lean over to your left and rest your head against the window. Adjust your outside mirror so that you see the back corner of the car; Then lean to your right the same amount and do the same. Adjust the inside to see the entire rear window. By doing this when the car behind moves out to pass it will always be in one of your mirrors until it comes into your peripherall vision. You should not have to turn your head, but it can't hurt.

I failed today on the first try in Colorado because of this, my examiner didn’t see that I’ve been doing this. I guess I should exaggerate it a little bit. I’ll keep updating this thread. My second try would be after a week. Good luck to me!

So side mirrors don’t exist

Thank you for this ❤

the best & clear demonstration. . .

Thanks, your video makes it quite clear how to signal, check your side mirror and then do a shoulder check.

To me, it looks like when you say shoulder check, you mean checking both the left AND right shoulder regardless of signal direction. So it's almost like four shoulder checks, imo. Am I misreading your movements?

I ask because my family has been teaching me but they've never told me to look at my right mirror or right blind spot before executing a left turn or left lane change.

Why do you have to shoulder check before you even approach the turn? What are you checking for?

Thanks for the clarification, all my mistakes on my first try were due to shoulder checks. I’m confident now & I know I’ll pass my test tomorrow!

Hi Rick, thank you for your videos! I really wish I watched this before my road test the other day.

I found myself sometimes losing control and moving the steering wheel in the opposite direction I wanted to move in when doing shoulder checks.

What do recommend I do to ensure I maintain control of the steering wheel and keep straight while doing shoulder checks for lane changes? Is it a matter of 10 and 2 vs 9 and 3, how firmly I grip the wheel or something else? I've seen people lane change comfortably with one hand so I don't understand why I'm struggling with two. Thanks!

Thanks a lot. Now I get it.

Oh this was just what I need. I've been scared to do shoulder checks because I thought I had to turn my shoulders, I didn't know you just turn your head. Thank you!

Weldone, with no traffic ahead road is yours. But in otherway traffic coming, a simple head turn can couse collision.

Why didnt you stop in the bicycle lane to block it?

I take to long to check and my reflexes are ‘robotic slow’ while doing this whole blind spot thing. Checking the blind spot-changing lane-turing off the indicator. Its a very mechanical thinking process and action. My instructors keeps asking to do it naturally. But this seems pretty unnatural while doing it in streets, although its required for the purpose of the test.

I didn’t pass my behind the wheel test today because the examiner I got thought I wasn’t looking at the mirror or over my shoulder when making left and right turns. I was but I guess I wasn’t exaggerating it enough for him to notice. So I’m glad you made this video to help me improve on my driving and I will watch more of your content to help me prepare for the next one. Thank you so much.

I failed 4 times because I didn’t check enough im honestly over trying and trying and trying again and told I’m a good driver after they failed me

Why are you shoulder checking a half block back on a quiet residential street? That seems a little unnecessary.

Thanks sooooo much, I have passed the road test several months ago, and absolutely, your videos help me lot.

I had to revisit this video … I’m 40 and my 20 year old is teaching ME to drive 😊… and shoulder checking is definitely something I have to work on. We went out on the road just the other day and it was nerve wracking at first but after a little while I actually began to enjoy it ❤

How do I improve my shoulder checks

I failed because of parallel parking

Your shoulder checks seemed to be getting longer as your video progressed according to my students. The average time to do a shoulder check should be .50 - 1.25 seconds according to their calculations. They love your videos however and we cant wait to watch the next lesson.

Долбоебизм

Thank you so much for this video , it's really helpful, I was watching most of your videos as preparation for my exam and I just passed today morning . I failed my first exam and then I found your videos , it was like a treasure for me . Thank u

This video was really helpful I just PASSED my road test early today after three tries 😅

Shoulder Checks Annoy Me, They Take up Too Much Time In Heavy Traffic U Could Crash!!!

In a small town without traffic lights or bike lane. Should we check blind spot when turning? Is it a must when turning?😅

Thank you for sharing your tricks and tips . I finally PASSED my road test 😊. I watched all your videos and they make me understand driving .

What if I use “training wheel” mirrors on my Side Mirrors?

Those tiny mirrors that some people have on their Side Mirrors that help them see their blind spot better? I see some lifted trucks have those, I too use them on my car and it helps me get a “preview” of what’s on my blindspot before I do the shoulder check and actually see if there’s cars there.

I failed my driving test twice - 1st time I had not watched any videos and didn't know that a shoulder check is important. My husband never does and he still passed so I was trained to just look at the mirrors and blind spot sensors. 2nd time I tried shoulder check and mirror check but doing both simultaneously confused me in the high-traffic area and I messed up. There was a speeding car in the right lane when I tried to change lanes.
Thank you for this video. Now I know that it's a mere 90 degrees glance and I ultimately have to rely on the mirrors before actually moving the steering wheel. I just have to show the examiner that I turned. I will practice this way.

To my understanding here in Saskatoon, Canada shoulder check is more than 90 degrees, one must able to see through the window at the passenger side of the second row. I am preparing for my next road test and hoping to pass. Thank you Rick for the video clip. God Bless you and your channel.:)

my driving instructor didn't explain shoulder check, he just mentions mirror check...

Thank you Johnny Sins ;) its the only step that i need to improve to pass my exam.

Why should you shoulder check half a block before?

Not clear why check to the right prior to arriving to the intersection when aiming to turn right. I mainly do it at the intersection (prior to entering it!)

Ok so if there is a solid bike lane when turning right you stay behind the stop line then turn when safe but not in bike lane? Can I go in bike lane with broken lines?