What to expect on your drive test

The drive test measures your ability to drive legally and safely. Learn what to expect on the drive test.

Drive test requirements

Below is a list of what we will test you on once you're behind the wheel:

1. Starting your vehicle

2. Leaving the curb

  • Signal and wait until it's safe to re-enter traffic

3. Controlling the vehicle

  • Use the gas pedal, brake, steering wheel, and other controls correctly
  • Change your speed to meet:
    • The number and speed of other vehicles and pedestrians
    • Road and weather conditions
    • Construction
    • Amount of light
    • The distance you can see ahead

4. Driving in traffic

  • Use the proper lane
  • Signal to change lanes
  • Change lanes carefully
  • Follow other vehicles at a safe distance
  • Turn your head and look back before changing lanes
  • Signal the proper distance before turning

5. Obeying traffic signals and signs

  • Turn into the proper lane without cutting the lane or going wide into the improper lane
  • Scan carefully for signs, signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles, yield, and take the right-of-way correctly

6. Driving through blind or crowded intersections

  • Scan carefully for signs, signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles
  • Yield and take the right-of-way correctly

7. Stopping

  • Stop smoothly and at the right spot
  • Stop quickly and safely in an emergency

8. Backing up

  • Look over your right shoulder
  • Back in a straight line
  • Have complete control of your car

9. Judging distance

  • Stay a safe distance away from:
    • Other cars when following or passing
    • People walking or riding on the roadway

10. Respectful driving

  • Be courteous to other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists
  • Pay full attention to the driving task

11. Performing specific maneuvers 

  • Arm signals for right/left turn and slow or stop (you may use your arm signals during the test)
  • A brake reaction test/emergency stop: you will be asked to put your foot on the gas pedal and step on the brake as fast as possible when told to stop
  • Parking on a hill: you will park as if you were going to leave your car there unattended
  • Parallel parking: you will parallel park without parking assist features on your vehicle
  • Simulating backing out of a driveway or alley into traffic using a corner: you will be directed to back your vehicle around the corner to the right, staying as close to the street as you can, and continue backing in a straight line until directed to stop
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Drive test videos

Prepare for your drive test with our short video series below to learn what to expect:

New Driver Toolkit (printable)

Use the printable pages below to take along and practice your driving skills.

Drive test: About your vehicle

Drive test: What to expect

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