The DMV Drive Test:
Understanding the Driving Performance Evaluation
A service of the California Driver Education Association and Statewide Driving School
Click on the spinning tire, to go to the next page:
Steer back to home
The Route You'll Drive
(a) No licensee may conduct or permit any employee to conduct behind-the-wheel driving lessons in excess of two (2) hours per day for any person seeking to satisfy the requirements of Vehicle Code Section 12814.6. Advanced driver training of over two (2) hours per day may be given to any such person who has completed a minimum of six (6) hours of driver training except that no such previously unlicensed persons shall be given more than four (4) hours of behind-the-wheel training in any one day. Exceptions to this limitation may be granted under special circumstances with prior approval by the department.
(b) No licensee may conduct or permit any employee to conduct behind-the-wheel instruction upon a highway for any person who does not have in his immediate possession a valid instruction permit (Student License, DL Form 118) or driver license.
(c) No licensee may conduct or permit any employee to conduct behind-the-wheel instruction on a specific drive test route of any departmental office. (This means an instructor may NOT take you over the route during instruction!)
(Notice the
RED
highlighted area)
"Route Standardization: All routes will contain the same road elements as listed below in the route criteria. This ensures that no matter where the DPE is administered the applicant will be tested on the same elements."
"Route Criteria: All DPE routes are to have the following elements:
*Parking Lot Driving
*Street Park: must have a curb (if at all possible, avoid a "soft" curb); applicant pulls to the side of the road and parks (as if to leave the vehicle) then pulls into traffic; may be a hill park; may be located anywhere on the route, but preferably in a residential area. (NOTE: This section has been replaced by the BACKING segment, which is explained later)
*Eight Intersections: 2 controlled by a light (red, yellow, green); 2 controlled by a stop sign (two-way or four-way stop); 2 through (straight ahead) intersections; 2 additional intersections (preferably controlled by traffic lights, but can be any of the above) NOTE: A scored intersection should require the applicant to transverse across the intersection and not turn at it.
*Four left and four right turns: mixed dificulty levels; at least one left and one right turn should have multiple lanes, requiring correct lane choice on approach and finish; 2 at controlled intersections, 1 left and 1 right; two additional turns (preferably at intersections controlled by stop signs or turn arrows, but may be uncontrolled with limit lines, crosswalks, turn lanes, etc.
*One straight residential section: minimum of 3 blocks; preferably a narrow street (3 intersections).
*One straight business section: minimum of 3 blocks (3 intersections); moderate traffic density. NOTE: the objective of the residential and business section is to put the applicant at ease so that the applicant will more likely drive as if not being evaluated.
*Two lane changes: one lane change to the right; one lane change to the left (MUST be before the freeway segment) (NOTE: most field offices no longer use the freeway segment, due to time constraints) ; located anywhere on the route, preferably on a street with a minimum posted speed limit of 35 mph.
*One curve: preferably a left curve; lanes should be marked if possible; must require driver to adjust speed before entering the curve; located anywhere on the route. (NOTE: the curve segment has been eliminated from the standard DPE)
*One segment of freeway driving: minimum of 1/4 mile to a maximum of 1/2 mile; must have merge on-ramp and exit lane or ramp. NOTE: If at all possible, avoid using ramps that require the applicant to weave with existing freeway traffic. NOTE: a four-lane highway with a minimum posted speed of 45 mph and with an acceleration and deceleration lane may be substituted for a freeway only if a freeway is not available.
*Freeway alternative: When it becomes necessary to eliminate the freeway component for a limited period of time (road construction, major accidents, etc) the office is to use the alternative route to evaluate the applicant's ability to merge on and off a major road."
*Parking Lot Driving
*Street Park: must have a curb (if at all possible, avoid a "soft" curb); applicant pulls to the side of the road and parks (as if to leave the vehicle) then pulls into traffic; may be a hill park; may be located anywhere on the route, but preferably in a residential area. (NOTE: This section has been replaced by the BACKING segment, which is explained later)
*Eight Intersections: 2 controlled by a light (red, yellow, green); 2 controlled by a stop sign (two-way or four-way stop); 2 through (straight ahead) intersections; 2 additional intersections (preferably controlled by traffic lights, but can be any of the above) NOTE: A scored intersection should require the applicant to transverse across the intersection and not turn at it.
*Four left and four right turns: mixed dificulty levels; at least one left and one right turn should have multiple lanes, requiring correct lane choice on approach and finish; 2 at controlled intersections, 1 left and 1 right; two additional turns (preferably at intersections controlled by stop signs or turn arrows, but may be uncontrolled with limit lines, crosswalks, turn lanes, etc.
*One straight residential section: minimum of 3 blocks; preferably a narrow street (3 intersections).
*One straight business section: minimum of 3 blocks (3 intersections); moderate traffic density. NOTE: the objective of the residential and business section is to put the applicant at ease so that the applicant will more likely drive as if not being evaluated.
*Two lane changes: one lane change to the right; one lane change to the left (MUST be before the freeway segment) (NOTE: most field offices no longer use the freeway segment, due to time constraints) ; located anywhere on the route, preferably on a street with a minimum posted speed limit of 35 mph.
*One curve: preferably a left curve; lanes should be marked if possible; must require driver to adjust speed before entering the curve; located anywhere on the route. (NOTE: the curve segment has been eliminated from the standard DPE)
*One segment of freeway driving: minimum of 1/4 mile to a maximum of 1/2 mile; must have merge on-ramp and exit lane or ramp. NOTE: If at all possible, avoid using ramps that require the applicant to weave with existing freeway traffic. NOTE: a four-lane highway with a minimum posted speed of 45 mph and with an acceleration and deceleration lane may be substituted for a freeway only if a freeway is not available.
*Freeway alternative: When it becomes necessary to eliminate the freeway component for a limited period of time (road construction, major accidents, etc) the office is to use the alternative route to evaluate the applicant's ability to merge on and off a major road."