California Driver’s Handbook

Minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed behind-the-wheel drive test, not including the day of the failure.

Before you begin, the DMV examiner will ask you to locate and demonstrate the following:

• Driver window – The window on the driver side must open.
• Windshield – The windshield must allow a full, clear, unblocked view for you and the DMV examiner. Windshield cracks may postpone your test.
• Rear-view mirrors – At least two rearview mirrors. One of them must be on the left side of your vehicle.
• Brake lights – The right and left brake lights must be operational.
• Tires – The tires must have at least 1/32-inch of uniformed tread depth. The use of a donut tire is not allowed during a drive test.
• Foot brake – There must be at least one inch of clearance between the bottom of the brake pedal and the floorboard when depressed.
• Horn – Designed for the vehicle, in proper working condition, and loud enough to be heard from a distance of at least 200 feet.
• Emergency (parking brake) – How to set and release the parking brake.
• Turn/Arm signals
  • Left turn.
  • Right turn.
  • Slowing down or stopping.

  If your vehicle does not meet the requirements, your drive test will be rescheduled.

  Interpreters may be used during the pre-drive inspection for the identification and use of certain controls in the vehicle but may not accompany you during the drive test.

  Only the examiner is allowed to accompany you during the drive test. Exceptions are made for training, service animals, and certain law enforcement situations.

  The use of a recording device, including a video/audio recorder, is prohibited during a behind-the-wheel drive test. If the recording device cannot be powered off or disabled, the applicant must block it so there is no visual or audio recording during the drive test.

  Other Things to Know for Your Behind-the-Wheel Test

  The drive test is intended to determine your skill in operating a motor vehicle in most road situations and evaluate your abilities, not the vehicle’s technology. Therefore, advanced driver assistance systems technologies, such as automated parallel parking, lane departure, and adaptive cruise control, are not permitted during the drive test. Vehicle safety technology, such as backup cameras and blind spot monitors, may be used on the drive test, but are not a replacement for an actual visual check of your mirrors and blind spots.

  To view a sample of the Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) Score Sheet, visit dmv.ca.gov/teendriver. For a sample of the Supplemental/Area DPE Score Sheet, visit dmv.ca.gov/seniors.

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