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:
The Scoring Process
The DPE starts with a pre-drive checklist. Each item has a box next to it. If the vehicle and/or applicant meets the criteria, CHECK to beox for that item. If the criteria is not met, CIRCLE the number of the item.
If items 1-9 and 15-17 do not meet the criteria. the result is a mechanical failure. Mecahnical failures do not count as one of the three attempts for passing the DPE.
If four or more of items 9-14 are not satisfactory, the applicant is disqualified. This result is keyed as a failure on the test result screen in the automated system.
SCORING THE DRIVING MANEUVERS
Beside each item there is a "0" to be used for scoring the driving behavior. At the top of each column of "0"'s is a bolded letter or number.
*Each scored maneuver is scored from top to bottom (vertically).
*Immediately before the scored maneuver occurs, circle the bolded letter or number at the top of the column of "0"'s.
*If the driver performs the maneuver incorrectly, draw a line through the "0".
*If the driver performs the maneuver correctly, do not make a mark through the "0".
*If, for some reason, a maneuver is not scored, draw a vertical line through the entire column of "0"'s for that maneuver.
NOTE: Do not score items unless you actually observe them.
If an Automatic Disqualification occurs anywhere on the route, mark the error in the Automatic Disqualification section of the score sheet and end the DPE. Direct the applicant back to the office by the most preferable route.
When a driver does not perform a maneuver according to the scoring criteria, mark the score sheet immediately. Do not depend on your memory to do so later.
Never coach or instruct a driver while scoring. A good job of scoring will take all of your time. Give directions, not instructions. Always give the direction to the applicant at the designated point on the route. Do not deviate from directions/direction points.
At the end of the evaluation....carefully add up the number of marked "0"'s and write in the total in the space below "Number of Errors:". Passing is 15 errors or less.
Comments Section: Describe why the driver did not meet the specific scoring criteria for satisfactory performance; describe in detail the circumstances of an automatic disqualification. NOTE: It is extremely important on point failures and automatic disqualifications that the error(s) be documented in the Comments section. This information may be used later by Driver Safety to evaluate an applicant's driving ability when making a licensing decision (suspension, revocation, etc.)
Retain passing score sheets for two months. Retain unsatisfactory score sheets for twelve months.
The department is neutral regarding which foot should be used on the brake pedal. The only concern is with the proper control and effective use of the brakes. It is not an error when an applicant uses the left foot on the brake (when there is no clutch pedal), unless the applicant is pressing the right foot on the accelerator while simultaneously braking with the left foot.