OP wasn't being instructed, OP was being TESTED and should know all this.

OP was being told where to go and what to do. We English-speakers call those instructions. "Instruct: direct or command someone to do something, especially as an official order."

OP was being tested and expected to follow instructions; however, part of being tested is using common sense. If you are being tested on something you do not break the rules. Though it is an extremely sucky situation. A very understandable mistake. Sorry OP, good luck next time! Now you know better :)

Contest it on what basis? My instructor ASKED me to take a u turn, and I did, mindlessly, without asking him if he still wanted me to even if it's illegal? If the instructor told you to turn left while the light is red, would you? Just because the instructor told you to? Or would you say something about it? OP didn't know the rules, and failed because of that, and nothing else. It's the OPs fault, no contest here.

@12: NO, this is wrong on so many levels. If you can't handle a stress situation like this, why on earth should they give you a license? The biggest part of driving a car is paying attention to your surroundings and op clearly failed that. A drivers test is NOT simply following orders.

I think it all hinges on the wording. If the instructor said, "make a u-turn when possible" it is OP's fault for not knowing the rules of the road. However, if the instructor said, "make a u-turn here please" then OP is not at fault. In my driver's ed classes, we were told that if we disobeyed the examiner at any point, we would fail the test automatically. That's why the examiners are supposed to be very clear about their instructions (ie. saying "change lanes when it is safe to do so" rather than simply "now change lanes"). Additionally in OP's defense, drivers are taught to follow the instructions of police officers, fire fighters, and other authorities, even if they seem to contradict the rules of the road. Perhaps OP thought driving instructors fell into this category. It may be true that the test should be more difficult, but trick questions aren't the answer; they only serve to confuse people who are otherwise confident in what they know.

Ummmm, sorry but no. This happened to OP during a driving TEST. They had already taken driving lessons with an instructor, the instruction was over. The test administrator from the DMV *requested* he make 2 u-turns as part of the TEST...its up to the driver to make the turn in a safe & legal way....kinda the point of testing driving skills. Sorry OP, better luck next time! At least you know what you're in for the next go round, I'm sure you'll do better!

Exactly my thought. You were suppose to know, I don't see why everyone calls the teacher an ass. He was just testing you to see if you know what you are about to do?

Most places they are not legally allowed to instruct you to do something illegal. It's abuse of power

That seems dirty too. They shouldn't be tricking you.

wow 22, I didn't know they were allowed to trick you like that. well I think it's crazy.

Then I wasn't the only one failed because of that. My instructor was a jerk and did to me the same thing as they did to OP plus not putting on her seatbelt. In the end she told me I'm a shitty driver cause I was supposed to tell her to put it on. I thought putting your seatbelt on when someone who doesn't have a license is driving was common sense.

Technically, they'd be the one to get ticketed, not you. I don't see the fault

Because you know the law where OP lives?