What Items Are On The Pre-Drive Checklist For the California Driving Test?

You have completed all your training and practice and you are now ready to head to the California DMV to take your driving test and get your driver's license. While there are rumors out there that the DMV Driving Test Inspector will try to trick you into failing the test, as we have stated, that is not the case. To prepare yourself for your big day, you need to know that the driving test is not comprised only of driving skills - the inspector will also conduct a pre-drive checklist before you even begin your driving test! Make sure you know what items are on this checklist to best prepare yourself for your behind-the-wheel exam!

Pre-Drive Checklist

During the Pre-Drive evaluation, the DMV examiner will ask you to locate and/or demonstrate the vehicle and driver safety items listed below. If any items in the Pre-Drive Checklist (items 1-8 or 15-17) do not pass the criteria requirement on your vehicle, which is known as a "mechanical failure," you will need to reschedule your driving test.

While the DMV examiner is going through this checklist, if you cannot locate and/or demonstrate the operation of four or more items from Items 9-14, then your driving test will be marked as "unsatisfactory" (failure). If there is inclement weather present, you must be able to demonstrate that Items 11-14 work properly or the driving test will be rescheduled.

According to the California DMV website, these are the requirements for each Pre-Drive Checklist item:

1. Driver Window: The driver side window must be able to open. If it is closed, you will be asked to open the window.
2. Windshield: You and the examiner must have a full, unobstructed field of view provided by the windshield. Your windshield may not have any cracks.
3. Rear-View Mirrors: The vehicle must have at least two mirrors. One of the mirrors must be located outside the vehicle on the left side. The second mirror can be located outside of the vehicle on the right side or inside the vehicle in the center. These mirrors must be secure, unbroken and provide clear visibility.
4. Turn Signals: The right and left turn signals on both the front and back of vehicle must be work. You will asked to activate both turn signals during the pre-drive portion of the test. Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions!
5. Brake Lights: Both brake lights on the back of the vehicle must be working. You will asked to engage your brakes during the pre-drive portion of the test. Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions!
6. Tires: Each tire must have 1/32-inch tread depth in any two adjacent grooves. Also, the vehicle cannot have any bald tires. If examiner finds your tires do not meet these requirements, you will be turned away from the testing site!
7. Foot Brake: You must have at least one-inch of clearance between the brake pedal and the floor board when the pedal is pushed.
8. Horn: Your horn must be designed for the vehicle and in proper working condition. It must also be loud enough to hear from a distance of at least 200 feet. The horn cannot be a bicycle horn. The examiner will ask you to honk your horn during the initial pre-check inspection. Listen carefully for the examiner's instructions!
9. Emergency Brake (Parking Brake): You must be able to locate and demonstrate how to use the emergency brake (set and release). Remember, emergency brakes may look different on different models of cars, but every car has an emergency brake. Make certain you've located your emergency brake on the car you intend to test with before arriving at the DMV.
10. Arm Signals: You must be able to show the DMV examiner arm signals for left turn, right turn, slowing down/stopping.
11. Windshield Wipers: You must be able to locate the windshield wiper switch and/or control wipers.
12. Defroster: You must be able to locate the front windshield defroster button.
13. Emergency Flasher (Hazard Lights): You have to correctly locate the emergency flasher switch/button if the warning vehicle is equipped with emergency flashers.
14. Headlights: You need to correctly locate the headlight switch.
15. Passenger Door: The door on the front passenger side must open and close properly.
16. Glove Box: The door to the glove box must securely close.
17. Seat Belts (Safety Belts): All vehicles that are designed with seat belts must have seat belts for both you and the driving test inspector. The seat belts must work properly and be used by the individuals in the car. Always double-check that your examiner is wearing their seat before you take the car out of Park. If the examiner is not wearing their sear belt, please ask them to put it on - this may be part of their evaluation!

You didn't work so hard getting through Driver's Ed course and driving lessons to then fail the driving test because you couldn't check any of these items off the list. Be prepared and print this checklist off for future use!