It is an automatic fail if you coast. Think of it this way, "out of gear, out of control". That is how they look at it. Basically if you are out of gear and something happens and you need to move out of the way real fast, being out of gear will not help you move. That is why they do not want you to shift over RR tracks.
As far as the reply of stopping on the street to get your gear back that is a definite no no. That will be looked at just as bad as shifting on RR tracks. Common sense says that that is just very dangerous to do. Never ever ever do that. If you need to stop to get your gear back, coast to the shoulder, and do it safely.
I tested at the Urbana, OH site and my actual road test only lasted about 30 minutes. I believe it's like 18 actual miles long(I do not remember). That included 2 emergency stops, a Hazmat RR crossing and a snowstorm. I scored a 5 on my road test. The instructor told me he could not find much wrong and that he did have to give me points, so he gave me points for turning to wide and staying to my right a little and touching the white line. Both of which after talking with him after the test you really didn't have much choice. The snow storm had covered the center of the road so it was hard to see the yellow lines and when they repainted the lines on a few of the turns they messed up and made it hard for a big truck to make the turn without either encroaching or crossing the with line with your trailer.
Anyway just relax on your test and remember if you loose you gear do not panic, the best thing to do will be to go back into the gear you came out of. If you find a gear within a reasonable amount of time you will not fail.
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"A society that will trade a little order for a little freedom will lose both, and deserve neither." - Thomas Jefferson
I am a "moon bat" and proud of it.
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