The DMV Drive Test:
Understanding the Driving Performance Evaluation

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The PRE-DRIVE Inspection

     Before you begin, you will be asked to have you and your accompanying driver bring your vehicle to the "Inspection Lane". There, the examiner will run through a series of checks to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. It is recommended that you check these items yourself, before you go to the DMV:

DRIVER WINDOW - The driver side window must be open. If the window is closed, the examiner will ask the applicant to open it. It may be closed again, once the drive test has begun.

WINDSHIELD - The windshield must provide a full, unobstructed field of view for BOTH the driver and the examiner. Nothing hanging from the rear-view mirror; no cracks or stone chips.

REAR VIEW MIRRORS - The vehicle MUST have at least two mirrors. One MUST be located outside, on the left side of the vehicle. The other may be located inside, at the top center of the windshield, or on the outside, on the right side of the vehicle.

TURN SIGNALS - Both left and right turn signals, front and back, must be working.

BRAKE LIGHTS - Both brake lights, one on each side of the rear of the vehicle, MUST work. "BOTH" does NOT include the third, or "high-boy" brake light.

TIRES - Each tire MUST have at least 2/32" tread groove, in two adjacent major tread grooves. The "Major" tread groove may be located at different areas on different tires. This is the MAIN bar or tread that touches the road.

FOOT (SERVICE) BRAKE - There MUST be at least one inch of clearance between the pedal and the floorboard, when the pedal is firmly depressed.

HORN - The horn MUST be designed for a vehicle, in proper working condition, and must be audible as a car horn, from a distance of at least 200 feet. It CANNOT be a bicycle-type horn.

NOTICE THAT ITEMS 9-14 ARE IN BOLD PRINT. THESE ARE "KEY ISSUES", AND YOU CANNOT HAVE MORE THAN 3 ERRORS MARKED, OR THE DRIVE WILL BE CONSIDERED A FAILURE!

EMERGENCY / PARKING BRAKE - Parking brake handle or pedal sets and releases the brake. If applicant states that it doesn't work, or if it fails during the examination, the drive test MUST be postponed. The brake is NOT to be tested while the vehicle is running and in gear.

ARM SIGNALS - Correctly demonstrate the arm signal for right turn, left turn and stop. May NOT be used during the drive test, unless the brake lights fail during the drive.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS - Correctly locate the windshield wiper switch and controls.

DEFROSTER(S) - Correctly locate the defroster switch. NOTE: some examiners ask for BOTH front and rear defroster switches, if applicable.

EMERGENCY FLASHERS - Correctly locates the emergency flasher (4-way flasher) switch, if vehicle is so equipped.

HEADLIGHTS - Correctly locates the headlight switch.

PASSENGER DOOR - The passenger side door MUST open and close properly and securely.

GLOVE BOX - The glove box door MUST be closed and securely shut.

SEAT BELTS - Starting with 1968 and newer cars, and 1972 and newer cars and trucks weighing less than 6001 pounds, the vehicle MUST have seat belts for BOTH the driver and the examiner. BOTH seat belts must work properly.

"NOTE: In inclement weather, the applicant must demonstrate that items 11-14 are working properly, or the evaluation will have to be postponed.
     Electrical turn signals are required during the evaluation. An applicant cannot use arm signals during the DPE, unless the electrical turn signals fail during the evaluation."