The DMV Drive Test:
Understanding the Driving Performance Evaluation

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Turns

APPROACH:
     *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.
     *SIGNAL: Activates turn signal at least 100 feet prior to turn, but not so early as to mislead other drivers as to intention.
     *DECELERATION/BRAKING: Decelerates and brakes smoothly without jerking; depresses brake pedal without depressing accelerator pedal at the same time; for manual-transmission vehicle, changes gears as necessary to maintain power, keeps gear engaged (no coasting) .
     *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.
     * LANE USE: SEE SPECIAL SECTION BELOW
     *UNNECESSARY STOP" Stops vehicle when not necessary (inattention to lights, uncontrolled intersections, etc.). There was no pedestrian traffic, signal light or traffic sign requiring a stop.
LANE USE: Right turns, at bike lanes, have been a bone of contention between Southern California and Northern California. The DMV Examiner Guidebook states, "Enters bike lane where white line is broken", and that policy is adhered to in Southern California. However, the DMV Driver Handbook, as well as the California Vehicle Code, states that a driver may move into the bike lane up to 200 feet prior to the turn, and this is where the contention comes in, since Northern California examiners tend to use THIS rule. Click HERE   and HERE to see the actual Vehicle Code reference. The problem is, the "broken white line" is an OPTIONAL marking, according to the California Manual of Highway Design, and is not present at all bike lanes. 
     This can pose a serious traffic hazard if strict obedience to the Southern California method is used. If an applicant, who is already somewhat nervous, decides to wait until the broken line, other cars wishing to turn right are within their legal rights to enter the bike lane earlier, and an impending collision could occur.
     It is our opinion that an applicant should use discretion on this: if traffic is light, and a broken line is visible at the end of the bike lane, then enter at that point; if traffic is heavier AND available space to the right is available, enter the bike lane within 200 feet  (as close as applicable) before turning.

LANE USE: Uses designated lane for turn; FOR RIGHT TURNS: enters bike lane where line is broken; enters right turn pocket lane at opening; Uses the right-most part of the lane; FOR LEFT TURNS: enters two-way left-turn lane within 200 feet of turn and does not violate the right-of-way of any vehicle already in the lane ( look over your shoulder! ); enter left-turn pocket lane at opening; uses the left-most part of the lane; STAYS WITHIN LANE MARKINGS.

STOP:
     *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.
     *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.
     *WHEELS STRAIGHT (LEFT TURNS ONLY): Wheels straight ahead when stopped.

TURN/COMPLETE:
      *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.
     *STEERING CONTROL: Turns steering wheel smoothly and with full control of vehicle; turns vehicle only the amount necessary (does not over-steer or under-steer).
     *TOO WIDE/SHORT: Keeps vehicle within the lane markings. ( especially on left turns, do not cut the turn short, touching either the yellow centerline, or the white limit line of the street being turned onto ).
     *CORRECT LANE: Ends turn in the proper lane. ( When turning left from a SINGLE turning lane, you are permitted to go to any lane that is open, and safe, to you. However, our recommendation is to stay to the left-most lane, unless directed otherwise by the examiner); for multiple turn lanes, begins and ends in an appropriate lane (in other words, stay within your lane UNTIL you have completed the turn ).
     *SPEED: Maintains smooth, safe speed and keeps control of the vehicle; for manual transmission - changes gears as necessary to maintain power; keeps gear engaged ( no coasting ); makes no unnecessary stops during turn; accelerates smoothly after turn.
     *SIGNAL: Cancels signal upon completion of turn.

THE NEXT PAGE SHOWS EXAMPLES OF THE TURN LANES MENTIONED HERE.