New drivers in San Antonio face unique challenges—from heavy downtown traffic to fast-moving highways like I-10 and Loop 410. Many common driving mistakes stem from inexperience, and unfortunately, these errors are a leading cause of accidents and failed DPS road tests. At Rhodes Driving Schools, our instructors see the same issues repeatedly during teen drivers ed and adult driving lessons. Spotting and correcting these early can prevent tickets, crashes, and costly repairs.In this post, we’ll count down the top 10 common mistakes new drivers make on San Antonio roads, explain why they happen, and share simple ways to avoid them. These tips come straight from our TDLR-certified instructors who train thousands of students each year. (A new driver navigating busy San Antonio streets—avoiding these top mistakes builds safer habits.)1. Rolling Stops at Stop SignsWhy it happens: New drivers often feel pressure to keep moving and don’t come to a complete stop.
San Antonio context: Common at neighborhood intersections and busy areas like the Medical Center.
Consequence: Automatic fail on the DPS road test; tickets and higher accident risk.
Fix: Count “one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi” after stopping.2. Not Checking Blind SpotsWhy it happens: Inexperience with mirrors and head turns.
San Antonio context: Critical when changing lanes on I-10, Loop 410, or merging from the River Walk area.
Consequence: Side-swipes and lane-change collisions.
Fix: Always turn your head to check blind spots—mirrors alone aren’t enough.3. Improper Speed ControlWhy it happens: Anxiety leads to driving too slow or too fast.
San Antonio context: Speed limits vary (35–45 mph on city streets, 70+ mph on highways).
Consequence: Rear-end crashes or being tailgated.
Fix: Match the flow of traffic while staying within the limit.4. Following Too CloselyWhy it happens: Underestimating stopping distance.
San Antonio context: Sudden stops are common in rush-hour traffic or at construction zones.
Consequence: Rear-end collisions—very frequent in Texas.
Fix: Use the 3-second rule (4–6 seconds in rain or with trucks).5. Poor Lane PositioningWhy it happens: Not staying centered in the lane.
San Antonio context: Narrow residential streets or sharp turns downtown.
Consequence: Scraping curbs or drifting into other lanes.
Fix: Keep your vehicle centered and look ahead to where you want to go.6. Failing to Signal ProperlyWhy it happens: Forgetting or signaling too late.
San Antonio context: Busy multi-lane roads like Broadway or Alamo Heights.
Consequence: Confuses other drivers, leading to near-misses.
Fix: Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.7. Distracted DrivingWhy it happens: Phone use, adjusting music, or eating.
San Antonio context: High pedestrian traffic near the River Walk and downtown.
Consequence: One of the leading causes of teen crashes.
Fix: Keep your phone out of reach—use hands-free only if necessary.8. Misjudging Right-of-WayWhy it happens: Confusion at four-way stops or yield signs.
San Antonio context: Frequent at intersections like Bandera Road or near military bases.
Consequence: T-bone collisions or angry drivers.
Fix: Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or with no stop sign.9. Incorrect Parallel ParkingWhy it happens: Lack of practice.
San Antonio context: Essential in downtown, Pearl District, and Southtown.
Consequence: Fails DPS road test; damages vehicles.
Fix: Practice the step-by-step method (we teach it in every course).10. Not Adjusting to WeatherWhy it happens: No experience with rain or fog.
San Antonio context: Sudden Texas downpours cause hydroplaning.
Consequence: Loss of control and crashes.
Fix: Slow down, increase following distance, and use headlights.(Rhodes instructor providing real-time feedback to a student—catching mistakes early.)How Rhodes Driving Schools Helps You Avoid These MistakesAs a family-owned driving school in San Antonio with over 40 years of experience:
San Antonio context: Common at neighborhood intersections and busy areas like the Medical Center.
Consequence: Automatic fail on the DPS road test; tickets and higher accident risk.
Fix: Count “one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi” after stopping.2. Not Checking Blind SpotsWhy it happens: Inexperience with mirrors and head turns.
San Antonio context: Critical when changing lanes on I-10, Loop 410, or merging from the River Walk area.
Consequence: Side-swipes and lane-change collisions.
Fix: Always turn your head to check blind spots—mirrors alone aren’t enough.3. Improper Speed ControlWhy it happens: Anxiety leads to driving too slow or too fast.
San Antonio context: Speed limits vary (35–45 mph on city streets, 70+ mph on highways).
Consequence: Rear-end crashes or being tailgated.
Fix: Match the flow of traffic while staying within the limit.4. Following Too CloselyWhy it happens: Underestimating stopping distance.
San Antonio context: Sudden stops are common in rush-hour traffic or at construction zones.
Consequence: Rear-end collisions—very frequent in Texas.
Fix: Use the 3-second rule (4–6 seconds in rain or with trucks).5. Poor Lane PositioningWhy it happens: Not staying centered in the lane.
San Antonio context: Narrow residential streets or sharp turns downtown.
Consequence: Scraping curbs or drifting into other lanes.
Fix: Keep your vehicle centered and look ahead to where you want to go.6. Failing to Signal ProperlyWhy it happens: Forgetting or signaling too late.
San Antonio context: Busy multi-lane roads like Broadway or Alamo Heights.
Consequence: Confuses other drivers, leading to near-misses.
Fix: Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.7. Distracted DrivingWhy it happens: Phone use, adjusting music, or eating.
San Antonio context: High pedestrian traffic near the River Walk and downtown.
Consequence: One of the leading causes of teen crashes.
Fix: Keep your phone out of reach—use hands-free only if necessary.8. Misjudging Right-of-WayWhy it happens: Confusion at four-way stops or yield signs.
San Antonio context: Frequent at intersections like Bandera Road or near military bases.
Consequence: T-bone collisions or angry drivers.
Fix: Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or with no stop sign.9. Incorrect Parallel ParkingWhy it happens: Lack of practice.
San Antonio context: Essential in downtown, Pearl District, and Southtown.
Consequence: Fails DPS road test; damages vehicles.
Fix: Practice the step-by-step method (we teach it in every course).10. Not Adjusting to WeatherWhy it happens: No experience with rain or fog.
San Antonio context: Sudden Texas downpours cause hydroplaning.
Consequence: Loss of control and crashes.
Fix: Slow down, increase following distance, and use headlights.(Rhodes instructor providing real-time feedback to a student—catching mistakes early.)How Rhodes Driving Schools Helps You Avoid These MistakesAs a family-owned driving school in San Antonio with over 40 years of experience:
- We focus on these exact errors in teen drivers ed and adult driving courses.
- Dual-controlled vehicles and patient instructors give instant corrections.
- Real-world practice on San Antonio streets and highways.
- Flexible 7-day scheduling at 4 convenient locations.