Lesson 9: Examiner Commands & Smart Responses

1.1 Examiner Navigation Instructions

• "If I say nothing, we always continue straight ahead, follow the course of the road, or follow the priority road."
  • (Opening rule) Remember: watch for bending priority roads (Sign 306)!

• "At the next opportunity, please turn left / right."

• Caution — trap: A street marked with Sign 267 (No entry) or the opposite direction of a one-way street is not a valid "opportunity" — skip that road and turn at the next legal junction!

• "At the next traffic light / intersection, please turn left / right."
  • Check mirrors early, indicate, and position yourself in the correct turn lane.
• "At the end of the road, please turn left / right."
  • Turning at the end of the road (T-junction).
• "We are entering the roundabout, please take the first / second / third exit."
  • Enter without signalling, exit with right indicator + right shoulder check for cyclists.
• "Please follow the signposts towards [Autobahn A5 / City Center / Train Station]."
  • Scan signposts with your eyes (blue = Autobahn, yellow = rural highway, white = local/city) and choose the correct lane yourself.
• "Please exit the Autobahn at the next exit."
  • Spot the 300 m distance sign, indicate right, and brake only once on the deceleration lane.

1.2 Commands for Basic Driving Maneuvers

• Parallel parking — "Please stop alongside the [black/white] car and reverse-park behind it."
  • Signal right before pulling alongside the reference car; turn your head constantly while reversing, stop and wait if other traffic approaches.
• Bay parking / Angled parking — "Find a parking spot here on the left/right and park in reverse/forward."

• Choose the widest, easiest spot available. Afterwards: shift to P / 1st gear + parking brake.

• Turning around (Umkehren) — "Please find a suitable place to turn the car around."
  • Do not attempt to turn around in busy narrow spots — drive forward to a wide parking area, cul-de-sac, wide driveway, or mini-roundabout; obey Sign 267 (No entry).
• Reversing around a corner — "Turn right here, stop, and reverse back around the corner."
  • Pull parallel to the right curb (30–50 cm). When rolling backwards towards the junction: never obstruct anyone.
• Emergency braking — "Please drive at 30 km/h. On my command 'Halt!' (or 'Stop!'), perform an emergency stop."
  • At the command, immediately brake with full force (and depress clutch). Afterwards: interior mirror → left exterior mirror → indicator → left shoulder check, then proceed.

1.3 Decoding Examiner Warning Questions ("Warning Shots" — Practical Tip)

If the examiner asks a question during the drive, it usually means: You are currently making a mistake — and you are given the opportunity to realize and correct it yourself:

• "What speed limit applies here?" / "Do you know how fast you are driving?" → Too fast (e.g. 45–50 in a Zone 30) or too slow (60 on a 100 km/h rural road). Reaction: Glance at the speedometer, adjust speed immediately and reply: "Excuse me, 30 applies here — I am adjusting my speed right away."
• "Why are we driving in the middle / left lane here?" → Violation of the duty to drive on the right (StVO § 2 (2)). Reaction: Interior mirror → right exterior mirror → right turn signal → right shoulder check → change lane and say: "The right lane is clear now; I am moving over to the right immediately."
• "Please pay more attention to traffic observation / your shoulder checks." → You only flicked your eyes instead of visibly turning your head. Missing a proper shoulder check next time will cause you to fail.

1.4 Smart Responses & Lifesaver Phrases for Candidates

• Did not hear or understand the instruction (never guess — ask immediately):
  • „Entschuldigung, könnten Sie das bitte noch einmal wiederholen?“ (Excuse me, could you please repeat that?)
  • „Meinten Sie jetzt an dieser Straße links oder an der Ampel?“ (Did you mean turning left at this street or at the traffic lights?)
• Lane change no longer safely possible (take safe detour rather than risk an accident):
  • „Der Spurwechsel ist jetzt zu gefährlich / Da ist eine durchgezogene Linie. Ich fahre sicherheitshalber geradeaus weiter.“ (Changing lanes is too dangerous right now / There is a solid line. For safety, I will continue straight ahead.)
• Explaining slow driving (prevents being penalized for hesitation):
  • „Hier ist rechts vor links und die Sicht ist schlecht, ich fahre langsam.“ (Priority to the right applies here and visibility is poor, so I am driving slowly.)
  • „Der Abstand zum Radfahrer reicht nicht für 1,5 Meter, ich bleibe erst mal dahinter.“ (The clearance to the cyclist is less than 1.5 meters, so I will stay behind for now.)