🌀 Curves & speed control
You cannot beat physics in a curve — the manual says exactly that. Speed comes off before the curve, not in it; your eyes go to the inside edge of the curve as far ahead as you can see; and your lane position shifts slightly right of center for right-benders, center for left-benders.
What the examiner is watching for
- ✓All braking done before the curve begins
- ✓Eyes up and through — scanning the inside edge of each curve ahead
- ✓Lane position held: slightly right of lane center on right curves, middle on left curves
- ✓Speed matched to conditions, under advisory speeds when posted
Step by step
- 1Read the warning sign and any advisory speed as you approach.
- 2Brake to your curve speed while the car is still straight.
- 3Position: slightly right of lane center for a right-bender, middle of the lane for a left-bender.
- 4Look at the inside edge of the curve — of each curve, if several — as far ahead as you can see.
- 5Watch for oncoming traffic straying over the line, and keep your speed steady through.
Mistakes that cost points
- ✗Braking mid-curve, which unsettles the car exactly when grip matters most
- ✗Staring just past the hood instead of through the curve
- ✗Drifting toward the center line on right-benders
- ✗Carrying posted-limit speed into a curve with a lower advisory
The other 5 skills PA grades
FullPass is an independent study aid. Road-test guidance is written from official PennDOT test requirements; your examiner and the Department of Transportation remain the final authority.