It can be very intimidating to have to take a drive test, but knowing what the DMV is looking for can help you prepare (and succeed). The purpose of a drive test is to determine whether you:
- Are able to safely operate a vehicle
- Have safe driving habits
- Successfully apply your knowledge of traffic laws to real life situations
- Are able to make up for any physical condition, such as loss of limb, poor hearing or a vision condition
Drive Test
The drive test is divided into two parts:
Pre-drive safety check: Determines whether your vehicle meets the minimum DMV safety standards and whether you are familiar with the operation of your vehicle.
Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE): Behind-the-wheel drive test with a DMV examiner who evaluates your driving skills.
Additional Drive Tests
The DMV also offers two additional types of drive tests:
Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation (SDPE): Given to applicants of any age who have a physical, mental or vision condition, and/or a referral due to a lack of skill that may impact their ability to safely operate a vehicle.
The SDPE test includes all the elements of a basic license driving test and some additional driving elements designed to evaluate a person’s cognitive function and safe-driving ability. These additional driving elements are:
- Multiple directions – Your driving test examiner will give you two directions at one time. The examiner is checking to see if you understand and can properly follow both directions. For example, the examiner will ask you to “Change lanes to the left and at the next street, make a left turn.” You should be able to perform all the tasks necessary to make a safe lane change and turn into the proper lane at the next street.
- Additional lane changes – Your driving test examiner will evaluate how you make lane changes. Do you signal properly and check for traffic in the lane into which you want to move (always look over either your right or left shoulder and always use your mirrors)?
- Concentration – Your driving test examiner will talk with you at certain times during your driving test. Distractions are common when driving, and the examiner is checking to see if you are able to respond briefly to these distractions without making any driving errors.
- Freeway or highway driving – Your driving test examiner will ask you to merge onto a freeway and drive a short distance in freeway traffic.
- IMPORTANT: If you absolutely do not wish to drive on any freeway, you should discuss this with the examiner. An option for you would be to have a “No Freeway Driving” restriction placed on your driver license, and you will not have to take this portion of the driving test.
- Destination trip – Your driving test examiner may ask you to drive to a location about two blocks from the DMV office. The examiner will then ask you to drive back to the DMV office without any assistance or direction using the same streets you just used to get to your location. The examiner is checking for memory lapses and disorientation. This task is usually the last part of the Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation test.
Area Driving Performance Evaluation (ADPE): Limits you to drive only in specified areas. If you are successful with the ADPE, your driver’s license will be restricted to only the specified areas where you were tested.
If you do not pass your Supplemental Driving Performance Evaluation test and, your driving test examiner determines that you may be able to drive safely within a clearly defined, but restricted area, he/she may suggest that you take an Area Driving Performance Evaluation test.
When you take an Area Driving Performance Evaluation test, you will be tested in a specific area pre-determined by you and your driving test examiner. This driving test will be based on your most important driving needs and is typically given in the area where you live. Your driving needs may also include trips to a grocery or department store, doctor’s office, bank, church, golf course, and hair stylist.
Area Driving tests are customized for each person. An Area Driving test route will be determined by the streets or roads you take to get from your home to a specific location and then back home. After you pass your Area Driving test and meet all other license requirements, you will be issued a restricted license. Your driver license restriction limits you to driving in a specified area, and you may not drive on any freeway.
If I Have to Take a Driving Test, How Can I Prepare for It?
1. Review DMV information.
How to prepare for your driving test – This pamphlet covers what to bring with you for your driving test and what to expect during the driving test.
Parent-Teen Training Guide – Although this booklet was developed for teenage drivers, reviewing the driving practices will provide an overview of some driving skills you may not be aware of or may have forgotten.
2. Ask another driver to review your driving skills if your license is still valid.
Ask a trusted younger driver (such as your adult child) to sit in the passenger seat and observe your driving. The observer should note any driving errors you make or any driving behaviors that would make a passenger feel unsafe. Your observer should critique your driving in a constructive and non-critical manner.
3. Practice, practice, practice if you license is still valid.
Once you identify areas for improvement, practice performing them correctly. If certain driving maneuvers or situations confuse you, ask your observer to review them with you. If you choose, you may take a Mature Driver Course which covers classroom instruction on defensive driving and California motor vehicle laws. You may also take behind-the-wheel driver instruction from a licensed driving school to help you improve your skills.
If you need to take a driving test and are concerned about passing the first time, you may find it helpful to remember the following information:
- Do not be offended by what your observer tells you. You want your observer to be truthful.
- Listen thoroughly to your observer’s remarks. Be open to suggestions. If your driving errors are correctable, you can, with practice, develop safer driving habits.
- Consider your driving future carefully. If your observer tells you that he/she feels your driving skills have deteriorated to a point that it is no longer safe for you to drive, try not to get defensive or upset. Ask your observer for reasons and examples. Listen carefully to the reasons given and the examples cited. Use these to make an informed decision to either improve your skills to continue driving or to “retire” your driver license.