DMV road test: what examiners check and score

How the road test is structured

In California, the driving test has two parts: the Pre-Drive Safety Check and the Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE). The pre-drive check confirms that your car meets the DMV's minimum safety standard and that you can operate it. The DPE is the behind-the-wheel part, where an examiner rides with you and scores your driving.

California scores the DPE in groups of maneuvers: parking lot driving, backing, intersections, turns, business/urban and residential/rural driving, and lane changes. To pass, you can have no more than 15 errors on the scoring maneuvers and no marks in the critical driving error section. The examiner may give two or more instructions at one time, so listen carefully.

In New York, a DMV motor vehicle license examiner conducts the road test, and road tests are given on city streets.

Before you drive: documents and the vehicle check

In California, bring another California-licensed driver who is at least 18 (25 if you are a minor), unless you are already licensed, plus valid proof of insurance and registration. A rental car is allowed only if your name is on the rental contract and the contract does not exclude drive tests.

The California examiner then goes through a checklist. Among other things:

• the driver's window must open and the windshield must give a clear view;
• you need at least two mirrors, one of them on the outside left;
• turn signals and brake lights must work, and the horn must be audible from at least 200 feet;
• tires need at least 1/32 inch of tread, and a donut spare is not allowed;
• you must show the parking brake and the hand (arm) signals for left turn, right turn and slowing or stopping;
• you must find the wipers, defroster, emergency flashers and headlights;
• seat belts must work for you and the examiner.

If a basic safety item fails, the test is rescheduled. If you cannot locate or operate four or more of the controls (parking brake, arm signals, wipers, defroster, flashers, headlights), the test counts as a failure. Windshield cracks may also postpone your test.

In New York, bring your physical photo learner permit and your original Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV-278); copies are not accepted. The car must have valid registration, insurance and inspection, permanent license plates (in-transit permits are not allowed), and must work properly and be clean. The passenger-side seat belt must be available and clean for the examiner. Only the accompanying driver may come along, with no other passengers.

Observation, signals and full stops

Examiners watch your head, not just your mirrors. In California, before a lane change you are expected to check the left mirror and look over your left shoulder, and before a turn, when merging into the bike lane or center left turn lane, you check the blind spot by looking over your shoulder. Backup cameras and blind-spot monitors may be used, but they do not replace a real visual check of mirrors and blind spots.

California expects you to turn on the signal at least 100 feet before a turn, and to signal before pulling up to or away from the curb. At a stop, you must bring the car to a full stop behind the limit line, not over it, and about half a car length behind the vehicle in front of you. Do not stop when nothing requires it: an unnecessary stop at a green light is listed as an error that fails the test.

Speed, lanes, turns and backing

During turns, California examiners check that you keep a smooth, safe speed and control of the car, and that you end the turn in the proper lane, including when there are multiple turn lanes. For backing, you are expected to turn your head over your right shoulder and look through the rear window, and back in a straight line for 3 car lengths while staying within 3 feet of the curb.

Driver-assistance features such as automated parallel parking and lane departure technology are not permitted during the California drive test, so practice parking and lane keeping yourself.

Critical errors that fail the test

In California, any single critical driving error means an unsatisfactory result. The official list includes:

• any action that makes the examiner intervene physically or verbally;
• taking 3 attempts to back the car;
• hitting another vehicle, object, cyclist, pedestrian or animal that could have been avoided, or driving over the curb or onto the sidewalk;
• going through a stop sign or flashing red light faster than a brisk walking speed (4 mph), or not stopping at a red light;
• passing a school bus with flashing red lights or not pulling over for an emergency vehicle;
• any move that forces another driver or pedestrian to take evasive action;
• driving 10 mph over the speed limit, or 10 mph under it when conditions do not call for a lower speed;
• not using wipers, defroster or headlights when weather or darkness requires them;
• driving in the oncoming lane unnecessarily.

If you fail: retest rules

In California, minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed drive test, not counting the day of the failure.

In New York, you must wait at least 14 days before taking the road test again. If you fail a non-commercial road test, your learner permit stays valid until it expires. You can schedule another test, but you must pay additional fees if you failed your first two road tests. Results are posted on the DMV website after 6 p.m. on the day of the test, and if you pass, an interim license is available online.