This section will assist drivers taking the driving test.
You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner.
During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior!. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.
If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation. A failure of the driving test will require a retest fee.
Remember: You are allowed a total of three attempts to pass the pre-trip, skills, or driving tests. See here for more information.
How Will You Be Tested?
You have been asked to make a turn:
- Check traffic in all directions.
- Use turn signals and safely get into the lane needed for the turn.
Turns
As you approach the turn:
- Use turn signals to warn others of your turn.
- Slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear for more than the length of your vehicle.
If you must stop before making the turn:
- Come to a smooth stop without skidding.
- Come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or stop sign.
- If stopping behind another vehicle, stop where you can see the rear tires on the vehicle ahead of you (safe gap).
- Keep the front wheels aimed straight ahead.
When ready to turn:
- Check traffic in all directions.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
- Do not change gears during the turn.
- Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
- Vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
- Vehicle should finish turn in correct lane.
After turn:
- Make sure turn signal is off.
- Get up to speed of traffic, use turn signal, and move into the far right lane when safe to do so (if not already there).
Intersections
As you approach an intersection:
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
- Decelerate gently.
- Brake smoothly and, if necessary, change gears.
- If necessary, come to a complete stop behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks, or stop lines maintaining a safe gap behind any vehicle in front of you.
- Your vehicle must not roll forward or backward.
When driving through an intersection:
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
- Decelerate and yield to any pedestrians and traffic in the intersection.
- Do not change lanes or shift gears while proceeding through the intersection.
- Keep your hands on the wheel.
Once through the intersection:
- Continue checking traffic.
- Accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.
Urban/Rural Normal Driving
During this part of the test, you are expected to make regular traffic checks and maintain a safe following distance. Your vehicle should be centered in the proper lane and you should keep up with the flow of traffic but not exceed the posted speed limit.
Urban/Rural Lane Changes
During the multiple lane portion of the urban or rural sections, you will be asked to change lanes to the left, and then back to the right. You should make the necessary traffic checks first, then use proper signals and smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so.
Freeway Driving
Before entering the freeway:
- Check traffic.
- Use proper signals.
- Merge smoothly into the proper traffic lane.
Once on the freeway:
- Maintain proper lane position, distance, and speed.
- Continue to check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
You will be instructed to change lanes:
- You must make necessary traffic checks.
- Use proper signals.
- Change lanes smoothly when it is safe to do so.
When exiting the freeway:
- Make necessary traffic checks.
- Use proper signals.
- Decelerate smoothly in the exit lane.
- Once on the exit ramp, you must continue to decelerate within the lane markings and maintain adequate following distance.
Stop/Start
For this maneuver, you will be asked to pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and stop as if you were going to get out and check something on your vehicle. You must check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the far right lane or shoulder of the road.
As you prepare for the stop:
- Check traffic.
- Turn on your right turn signal.
- Decelerate smoothly, brake evenly, change gears as necessary.
- Bring your vehicle to a full stop without coasting.
Once stopped:
- Vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoulder of the road and safely out of the traffic flow.
- Vehicle should not be blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc.
- Cancel your turn signal.
- Activate 4-way emergency flashers.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Move the gear shift to neutral or park.
- Take your feet off the brake and clutch pedals.
When instructed to resume:
- Check traffic and your mirrors thoroughly in all directions.
- Turn off 4-way flashers.
- Turn on left turn signal.
- When traffic permits, you should release the parking brake and pull straight ahead.
- Do not turn the wheel before your vehicle moves.
- Check traffic from all directions, especially to the left.
- Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper lane when safe to do so.
- Once your vehicle is back into the flow of traffic, cancel your left turn signal.
Curve
When approaching a curve:
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
- Before entering the curve, reduce speed so further braking or shifting is not required in the curve.
- Keep vehicle in the lane.
- Continue checking traffic in all directions.
Upgrade
As you approach the upgrade:
- Select the proper gear to maintain speed and not lug the engine.
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the far right lane.
Simulated Downgrade
Explain how to go down a steep grade:
- Select a flat section of road about a quarter mile long, with little or no traffic.
- Demonstrate and explain the actions taken while driving down a steep grade.
Downgrade
Before starting down the grade:
- Downshift as needed to help control engine speed and test brakes by gently applying the foot brake to ensure they are functioning properly. As your vehicle moves down the grade, continue checking traffic in all directions and stay in the far right lane. Increase following distance and observe the following downhill braking procedures:
— Select a “safe” speed, one that is not too fast for the weight of the vehicle, length, and steepness of the grade, weather, and road conditions.
— Once a safe speed has been reached, apply the brake hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
— When speed has been reduced to 5 m.p.h. below the safe speed, release the brakes.
— Once speed has increased to the safe speed, repeat the procedure.
When operating any commercial vehicle, do not ride the clutch, race the engine, change gears, or coast while driving down the grade. At the bottom of the grade, be sure to cancel your 4-way flashers.
Not all test routes will contain an area of sufficient grade to test your skill adequately. Therefore, you may be asked to simulate (verbally) driving up and down a steep hill. You must be familiar with the upgrade/downgrade procedures so that you can explain and/or demonstrate them to the examiner at any time during the driving test.
Railroad Crossing
Before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:
- Decelerate, brake smoothly, and shift gears as necessary.
- Look and listen for the presence of trains.
- Check traffic in all directions.
Do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.
If you are driving a bus, a school bus, or a vehicle displaying placards, you should be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):
- As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the 4-way flashers.
- Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
- Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you may also be required to open the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
- Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
- Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
- 4-way flashers should be turned off after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
Not all driving tests will have a railroad crossing. You may be asked to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.
Bridge/Overpass/Sign
After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was. After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was. If your test route does not have an overpass or bridge, you may be asked about another traffic sign. When asked, be prepared to identify and explain to the examiner any traffic sign which may appear on the route.
During the driving test you must:
- Wear your safety belt.
- Obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws.
- Complete the test without an accident or moving violation.
You will be scored on your overall performance in the following general driving behavior! categories:
Clutch Usage (for manual transmission)
- Always use clutch to shift.
- Double-clutch if vehicle is equipped with non-synchronized transmission.
- Do not rev or lug the engine.
- Do not ride clutch to control speed, coast with the clutch depressed, or “pop” the clutch.
Gear Usage (for manual transmission)
- Do not grind or clash gears.
- Select gear that does not rev or lug engine.
- Do not shift in turns and intersections.
Brake Usage
- Do not ride or pump brake.
- Do not brake harshly. Brake smoothly using steady pressure.
Lane Usage
- Do not drive the vehicle over curbs, sidewalks, or lane markings.
- Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks, or stop signs.
- Complete turns in the proper lane on multiple lane roads.
- Finish right turns in the right lane.
- Move to or remain in the far right lane unless the lane is blocked.
