more advice
Hi,
I passed my M in Oshawa over the summer and I meant to share a tip or two, because I actually failed the test in my first minute! They did not stop me or anything, but when I left the mall where the test site is, I turned right into the farthest lane because there was a bus stop and the lane ended closely up ahead. Well, apparently if you do not turn into the closest lane to you, it is a "highway act violation". I was so ******! I've never heard of anyone in the history of driving getting a ticket for turning into the far lane. I actually did it twice, because there was once when the was a massive 18-wheeler in the lane, so I turned into the far lane. WRONG! I assume I was suppoed to turn into the close lane, stop behind the truck and change into the far lane when safe. ERG! Otherwise, i would have passed.
So, I re-booked a test for the next week and passed.
Incidentally, the examiner made a HUGH difference. The first time a had a couple of guys who were not friendly and just ordered me around with the pre-amble. (my headset worked just fine. you can adjust the volume before you leave). The second time I went for my test, a very nice middle-aged woman introduced herself and actually told me what she would be looking for and asked if I had any questions and smiled, too!
I assume the first guy was very pleased to be a goverment representative, whereas the woman liked people and did not try to fail people for irrelevant reasons.
Note on Oshawa: I don't have a map in front of me, but you turn right out of the mall, then turn left at the light were there is a main road. After a few blocks you turn left (no light) into a residential area where there are many turns. They asked me to do a road-side stop twice in a short while in this area. After you make 3 turns, there is a street that does not have a stopsign, so keep an eye out.
As for the roadside stop, I made sure there was no driveway or bus-stop and then shoulder checked, signalled, leaving signal on, stopped, put stand down, get off bike. I actually turned off my bike each time and they did not fault me for it. I left the key in the "electric signals will work" position. I think they want you to get off the bike and stand away from it, like you would on the highway.
After that they took me though many turns into more traffic, on and off highway - make sure to be at speed before merging and do not slow down when getting off until after you have changed into the exit lane.
Follow all the other advice about headturning and stopping. Be sure to check that all your signals and lights work before you arrive, as they will ask you to demonstrate that they work. I was lucky and found out before the test that my back light was not coming on without significant pressure, so I was able to tinker with it.
Good luck!
Blue-J.