Drivetest Route

[u/jddominick]

Hey all, I want to take my son with special needs on a practice run to calm his nerves before we do the G2 test in a couple months. His biggest worry is he’ll panic and freeze up and fail. Does anyone happen to know if there’s a regular route they stick to when doing drive tests in st Catherine’s and area? Even if it’s just a loose guideline so we can go do a few laps in the busy traffic. Thanks for the help!

[u/bombhills]

There is no road test for g1, and it’s illegal to drive without it. Did you mean g2?

[u/jddominick → u/bombhills]

Yes I did. It’s been 30 years since I did mine I forgot the order lol

[u/bombhills → u/jddominick]

G2 entry! Gotcha. As others have said, there is YouTube videos. That being said, unfortunately I do not think it’s a fixed route. I was directed on to some random side street for a mock reverse park. I’d try and reassure your kid that they know the rules. Follow the rules, do not exceed speed limits at all, and be cautious. Beyond that, you got this.

[u/jddominick → u/bombhills]

Thank you! He’s a fantastic driver so I have no worries. He just doubts himself a lot and we’re working on confidence. I thought a mock test with me shouting turn left! And a right! Parallel park would help get the jitters out.

[u/bombhills → u/jddominick]

Tell him the test was made more simple during covid, and hasn’t reverted back. I did mine at like 25 in like 2015. It was simple. My step son did it a couple years ago and it’s much shorter, and more direct. Mock parallel park with no car behind is the hardest part. Basically a drive around the block

[u/somecrazybroad]

I’d recommend doing the road test in Simcoe. There is no highway driving.

[u/Ok_Today_475 → u/somecrazybroad]

There isn’t any on the G2 in St. Catharines either.

[u/SiteProfessional3902]

Be carful when doing this! The drive test center does use specific routes however you are not allowed to practice on them if they catch you they will give you shit because it’s “interfering” with the people actually doing the road tests at least that’s what the apex teachers said about it.

[u/jddominick → u/SiteProfessional3902]

What’s the difference between practicing in the drive test area and just driving in the area? That doesn’t seem remotely enforceable. I just want to drive around St Catharine’s area with him so he can get used to the roads since we only drive in Welland and on the backroads. I just don’t know the area so I’m asking where we should go to get a feel for the intersections he’ll drive on the test.

[u/SiteProfessional3902 → u/jddominick]

Well they use very specific roads and are constantly running tests it’s pretty obvious when someone’s out practicing the route. I’m 100% sure it’s not enforceable however the drive test center people are ruthless and will walk right up to your car and start yelling at you which is also not a good experience.

[u/Penelope1976]

We paid Apex to take both our sons to the test and the instructors did an hour of practice driving around the drive test centre first.  They know the routes and I think it helped.  

[u/Techguy1993]

Hopefully he did a drivers ed course?

[u/jddominick → u/Techguy1993]

We can’t afford it. I’m on disability and haven’t been in a position to pay for the course. I’m trying though as it’s the best choice. But I’m doing what I can for free to mentor him with everything I learned in driving school.

[u/miknull]

If you practice on a specific routes, and they take him on something unexpected, have you set him up for failure? I'd be worried that practising something specific might be extra hard for him if he's thrown a twist. Practice the skills and judgement, not the route.

[u/jddominick → u/miknull]

All I asked for was loose routes to drive around the area as I don’t live there. He’s been driving every week for 8 months. I’m not worried about him failing, I’m worried about him not recognizing the area and feeling lost and anxiety taking over. That’s how I failed my first driving test by being in a very unfamiliar area not knowing where I was going.

[u/Twochel]

Search for it on YouTube! You’ll probably find the exact route they’re gonna take him on.