What Do They Test During Behind-The-Wheel Driving Test In California?

Your Drivers Ed course is successfully completed. You passed the written test and completed all your driving lessons and driving practice hours. It is time to head to the California DMV office and take your behind-the-wheel test and get your driver's license.

You may be wondering what do they test you on driving test in California. We outline that for you here, so get the California behind-the-wheel test details below.

Behind-The-Wheel Test California: Rules of the Road

The California driving test behind-the-wheel will assess your understanding of the rules of the road. It will also test your skills in handling the vehicle.

To get started, the DMV examiner takes you through the pre-drive checklist. If you pass, it is on to test those vehicle handling skills, which includes:

• Backing up
• Parking lot driving
• Judging distances
• Your degree of attentiveness
• Navigation of intersections
• Parking
• Your visual-search skills
• Control of the vehicle
• Lane changes
• Respecting the right-of-way
• Left and right turns
• Choosing the appropriate speed for the conditions
• Urban, business, residential and rural driving
• Under certain circumstances, you may also have to demonstrate your ability to drive on a freeway or highway

Behind-The-Wheel DMV Test: Points Needed To Pass

What do they test you on drivers test? During the DMV behind-the-wheel driving test, you will be scored on over 200 items. In order to pass the drive test, you may only make 15 or fewer errors.

However, if you make a serious driving error during the driving test you will be automatically disqualified. These critical errors include:

• Disobeying a traffic sign or signal
• Striking an object or curb with your vehicle
• Driving too fast or too slowly
• Disobeying safety personnel or emergency vehicles
• Executing a lane violation
• Performing a dangerous maneuver
• Improper use of auxiliary equipment
• Performing an unsafe maneuver for which the examiner has to intervene

Who Needs To Take The California Behind-The-Wheel Test?

In California, a drive test is required if you have:

• Never been licensed in California or any other state or you hold a driver license from a foreign country
• A vision-related problem
• A limited term driver license for specified physical and mental conditions
• A physical condition (except corrective lenses) for which DMV imposes a restriction or you have a restriction on your driver’s license and request the restriction be removed
• An out-of-state junior, provisional, or probationary driver license
• Been licensed out-of-state but do not have the driver license to surrender

In California, drive tests for driver license renewals or holders of out-of-state or U.S. territory driver licenses are normally waived, as long as the driver license is presented. However, the DMV may require a drive test at any time.

Does The DMV Use The Same Criteria In All California Behind-The-Wheel Tests?

The drive test for the non-commercial Class C (basic) driver license is the same for all drivers regardless of age. A teen driver is going to take the same type of drive test as an adult driver. However, a driver with a physical and mental condition may take a different version of the drive test containing additional test elements.

What Happens If You Fail The Behind-The-Wheel Driving Test?

If you fail the behind-the-wheel test, you must wait two weeks before taking it again. There is also a $8 fee for each retake.

You have three attempts to pass the behind-the-wheel DMV test. If you fail all three attempts, then your instruction permit will no longer be valid and you have to pay the new license application fee again in order to take the driving test again.

Best Way To Prepare For California Driving Test Behind-The-Wheel

When you are getting ready to take the behind-the-wheel drive test, the best way to prepare is by taking professional driving lessons and extensively practicing all the different maneuvers required during the test. The more prepared you are before the test, the more likely you are to pass.

If you are feeling nervous before your test, we do offer driving lessons throughout California. Book now and get in one more lesson before heading to the DMV office! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff.