The DMV Drive Test:
Understanding the Driving Performance Evaluation
A service of the California Driver Education Association and Statewide Driving School
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Intersections
THROUGH INTERSECTIONS (the side streets are controlled):
*TRAFFIC CHECK: Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, right and rear. Indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and right and use of mirrors; Yields right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic when appropriate; looks towards other drivers and pedestrians when necessary; reacts safely to traffic situations; drives through the parking lot at a safe speed and in control of the vehicle.
*SPEED: Maintains speed without exceeding the posted speed limit; maintains apprpriate speed for traffic conditions (basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for weather, traffic and road surface conditions).
*YIELD: Yields to vehicles already at or in the intersection, or to pedestrians in the intersection; yields right-of-way without causing confusion or impeding traffic flow; accepts right-of-way when it is safe to start.
*UNNECESSARY STOP" Stops vehicle when not necessary (inattention to lights, uncontrolled intersections, etc.)
*TRAFFIC CHECK: Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, right and rear. Indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and right and use of mirrors; Yields right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic when appropriate; looks towards other drivers and pedestrians when necessary; reacts safely to traffic situations; drives through the parking lot at a safe speed and in control of the vehicle.
*SPEED: Maintains speed without exceeding the posted speed limit; maintains apprpriate speed for traffic conditions (basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for weather, traffic and road surface conditions).
*YIELD: Yields to vehicles already at or in the intersection, or to pedestrians in the intersection; yields right-of-way without causing confusion or impeding traffic flow; accepts right-of-way when it is safe to start.
*UNNECESSARY STOP" Stops vehicle when not necessary (inattention to lights, uncontrolled intersections, etc.)
STOP INTERSECTIONS:
*TRAFFIC CHECK: Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, right and rear. Indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and right and use of mirrors; Yields right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic when appropriate; looks towards other drivers and pedestrians when necessary; reacts safely to traffic situations; drives through the parking lot at a safe speed and in control of the vehicle.
*DECELERATION/BRAKING: Decelerates and brakes smoothly without jerking; depresses brake pedal without depressing accelerator pedal at the same time; for manual-transmission vehicle, keeps gear engaged (no coasting) .
*FULL STOP: Brings vehicle to a full stop (examiner will look for "inertia tug", the forward movement of the body AFTER the vehicle has stopped completely) ; for manual-transmission vehicle, keeps gear engaged/ Once stopped, applicant can place the vehicle in neutral; no unnecessary movement forward or roll backward.
*GAP OR LIMIT LINE: Able to see rear wheels of vehicle in front, or has room to maneuver around vehicle in front without backing up; stops within 6 feet (about 1/2 car length) from the limit line or corner of the intersection, if no limit line; stops without the front-most part of the vehicle being in the intersection, over the limit line, beyond sidewalk or stop sign.
*TRAFFIC CHECK: Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, right and rear. Indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and right and use of mirrors; Yields right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic when appropriate; looks towards other drivers and pedestrians when necessary; reacts safely to traffic situations; drives through the parking lot at a safe speed and in control of the vehicle.
*DECELERATION/BRAKING: Decelerates and brakes smoothly without jerking; depresses brake pedal without depressing accelerator pedal at the same time; for manual-transmission vehicle, keeps gear engaged (no coasting) .
*FULL STOP: Brings vehicle to a full stop (examiner will look for "inertia tug", the forward movement of the body AFTER the vehicle has stopped completely) ; for manual-transmission vehicle, keeps gear engaged/ Once stopped, applicant can place the vehicle in neutral; no unnecessary movement forward or roll backward.
*GAP OR LIMIT LINE: Able to see rear wheels of vehicle in front, or has room to maneuver around vehicle in front without backing up; stops within 6 feet (about 1/2 car length) from the limit line or corner of the intersection, if no limit line; stops without the front-most part of the vehicle being in the intersection, over the limit line, beyond sidewalk or stop sign.
If you are seated properly, a glance out your driver side window SHOULD show you the limit line directly underneath your mirror housing, as shown in the left picture. The right picture shows where the "front-most" part of the vehicle will be, if done this way!
START INTERSECTION:
*TRAFFIC CHECK: Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, right and rear. Indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and right and use of mirrors; Yields right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic when appropriate; looks towards other drivers and pedestrians when necessary; reacts safely to traffic situations; drives through the parking lot at a safe speed and in control of the vehicle.
*YIELD: Yields to vehicles already at or in the intersection, or to pedestrians in the intersection; yields right-of-way without causing confusion or impeding traffic flow; accepts right-of-way when it is safe to start.
*SPEED: Maintains speed without exceeding the posted speed limit; maintains apprpriate speed for traffic conditions (basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for weather, traffic and road surface conditions).
*TRAFFIC CHECK: Driver is observing traffic (vehicle and pedestrian) ahead, to the left, right and rear. Indicated by head and/or eye movement to the left and right and use of mirrors; Yields right-of-way to pedestrians and traffic when appropriate; looks towards other drivers and pedestrians when necessary; reacts safely to traffic situations; drives through the parking lot at a safe speed and in control of the vehicle.
*YIELD: Yields to vehicles already at or in the intersection, or to pedestrians in the intersection; yields right-of-way without causing confusion or impeding traffic flow; accepts right-of-way when it is safe to start.
*SPEED: Maintains speed without exceeding the posted speed limit; maintains apprpriate speed for traffic conditions (basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for weather, traffic and road surface conditions).