The DMV Drive Test:
Understanding the Driving Performance Evaluation

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Critical Driving Error (Automatic Disqualification)

AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION:
     *INTERVENTION BY EXAMINER: any driver action requiring physical or verbal intervention by the examiner.
     *STRIKES OBJECT/CURB: Makes contact with another vehicle, object, pedestrian or animal when it could have been avoided safely; drives over the curb or onto sidewalk.
     *DISOBEYS TRAFFIC SIGN OR SIGNAL: At or exceeding a brisk walking speed (4 mph) goes through a stop sign, flashing red light or right turn on a red light; unnecessary stop at a green light at an intersection or on a freeway metered ramp; does not make a full stop at a red signal light; disobeys other traffic signs and/or lane markings (lane drop, painted arrows, curb markings, stanchions, etc.).
     *DISOBEYS TRAFFIC SAFETY PERSONNEL / SAFETY VEHICLES: Passes school bus with flashing red lights; fails to pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle; disobeys any safety personnel, law enforcement officer, or fire fighter;
     *DANGEROUS MANEUVER: Any driver action or inaction causing another driver or pedestrian to take evasive action; neither looks in mirrors nor blind spots during- lane changes, merge, backing, pulling from curb or side of road; does not move head or eyes for traffic check at uncontrolled intersections; kills engine in an intersection; Anytime the vehicle blocks an intersection so that it impedes traffic; parks vehicle so far away from the curb as to impedes or blocks traffic; unnecessary stop on freeway merge lane while entering or exiting.
     *SPEED: Drives 10 mph over the speed limit; drives too fast faor safety; drives 10 mph under the speed limit when road conditions do not warrant it; drives to slow for safety.
     *AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT USE: fails to use windshield wipers, defroster or headlights when weather conditions or darkness require it.
     LANE VIOLATION: Drives further than 200 feet in a bike lane or center left turn lane; drives straight from a designated turn lane; turns from a designated forward (straight) lane; makes turn from wrong lane.