Harris Rd and Stine Rd
On Stage 2.
Heading east on Harris Rd
Left, straight, straight
Heading east, there's no separate right-turn lane, so turn right from the right-hand lane.
California › Driving test routes › Bakersfield Southwest DMV
California DMV
Bakersfield Southwest DMVDriving Test Practice Routes
7000 Schirra Ct, Bakersfield, CA 93313
Within two miles of Bakersfield Southwest DMV there are 45 sets of traffic lights and 10 railroad crossings. White Lane runs close to the office, signed at 20 mph.
Start with the practice routes just below, then see how far a test can reach and how you'll leave the office.
Bakersfield Southwest road test practice routes
Practice loops that start and finish at the DMV, each built from Bakersfield Southwest's real streets and harder than the last.
These are practice loops we planned. They aren't official DMV test routes. Drive with a licensed supervisor, and follow the signs and conditions on the day, which may differ from the map.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: Quiet streets
Mostly residential streets around District Blvd and White Ln, with few traffic lights. Start here for your first few drives.
- Length
- 2.6 mi
- Approx. time
- 8 min
- Turns
- 10
- 1 set of lights
- 2.2 miles of residential streets
Open in Google Maps
Send it to your phoneScan to open this route in Google Maps, or open it here.
Google Maps can pick slightly different streets between our stops, so check it against the map here. It works best in the Google Maps app.
Turn-by-turn directions (11 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head west on Schirra Court. 0.2 mi
- Turn left onto Yeager Way. 0.2 mi
- Turn left onto McDivitt Drive. 0.3 mi
- Turn right onto Borman Way. 500 ft
- Turn right onto District Boulevard. 0.8 mi
- Turn right onto Ride Street. 0.2 mi
- Turn right onto Mc Nair Lane. 200 ft
- Turn left onto Cernan Way. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto White Lane. 0.4 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Turn right onto Mexicali Drive. 0.1 mi
- Turn left onto Schirra Court and return to the DMV. 0.1 mi
Stage 2: Traffic lights
Along Ashe Rd and Harris Rd, with 13 sets of lights.
- Length
- 5.7 mi
- Approx. time
- 17 min
- Turns
- 10
- 13 sets of lights, with 3 left turns and 3 right turns at them
- 1.1 miles of residential streets
- Not covered: multi-lane roads
Open in Google Maps
Send it to your phoneScan to open this route in Google Maps, or open it here.
Google Maps can pick slightly different streets between our stops, so check it against the map here. It works best in the Google Maps app.
Turn-by-turn directions (11 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head east on Schirra Court. 0.3 mi
- Turn left onto Ashe Road. 0.1 mi
- At the lights, turn right onto White Lane. 0.9 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
- Turn right onto Shepard Street. 0.3 mi
- Turn left onto District Boulevard. 500 ft
- At the lights, turn right onto Stine Road. 0.7 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
- At the lights, turn right onto Harris Road. 1.0 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Ashe Road. 0.5 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Panama Lane. 50 ft
- At the lights, turn left onto Ashe Road. 1.4 mi Straight through 3 sets of lights.
- Turn left onto Schirra Court and return to the DMV. 0.3 mi
Stage 3: Test-ready loop
Everything together over about 7 miles, including Ashe Rd and Wilson Rd.
- Length
- 6.7 mi
- Approx. time
- 20 min
- Turns
- 15
- 12 sets of lights, with 3 left turns and 2 right turns at them
- Multi-lane driving on New Stine Rd
- 2.0 miles of residential streets
- Junctions D and E below, among the busiest for crashes
Open in Google Maps
Send it to your phoneScan to open this route in Google Maps, or open it here.
Google Maps can pick slightly different streets between our stops, so check it against the map here. It works best in the Google Maps app.
Turn-by-turn directions (16 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head east on Schirra Court. 0.3 mi
- Turn left onto Ashe Road. 1.7 mi Straight through 5 sets of lights.
- Turn right onto La Puente Drive. 0.2 mi
- Turn right onto Sundale Avenue. 0.7 mi
- Turn right onto New Stine Road. 0.9 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- At the lights, turn left onto Wilson Road. 0.3 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Turn right onto Actis Street. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto Posada Avenue. 0.1 mi
- Turn left onto Edmonton Street. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto Hahn Avenue. 500 ft
- Turn left onto Stine Road. 0.2 mi
- At the lights, turn right onto Planz Road. 0.5 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Wilson Road. 0.5 mi
- At the lights, turn right onto White Lane. 0.3 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Ashe Road. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto Schirra Court and return to the DMV. 0.3 mi
Where the Bakersfield Southwest DMV drive test can go
Every drive test starts and finishes at the office, so the closer a road is, the more likely you are to drive it. The shading shows how long each road takes to reach from the DMV.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Within a 6-minute drive
- 32sets of traffic lights
- 10schools
Main roads in the area: White Ln, Gosford Rd, Ashe Rd, Ming Ave, Harris Rd, Stine Rd, Wilson Rd and Pin Oak Park Blvd.
Drive times are our estimates from speed limits, with time added for lights and stops. They aren't DMV figures.
Leaving and returning to Bakersfield Southwest DMV
The parking lot and the first junction are the only parts of the route you can be sure of. The office is on Schirra Ct.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
P
In the parking lot
The test sheet scores how you drive through the lot, so watch for people and cars, keep it slow, and take extra care reversing out of your space.
1
East to Ashe Rd
0.3 mi along Schirra Ct to Ashe Road.
2
West to Mexicali Dr
0.1 mi along Schirra Ct to Mexicali Drive.
The roads around Bakersfield Southwest DMV
What you'll be dealing with near the office, counted from map data within 2 miles.
45
Sets of traffic lights
Most are on White Ln and Stine Rd.
14
Schools
The limit near a school drops to 25 mph when children are around.
4 mi
One-way streets
Check the arrows before every turn, and start from the correct side of the road.
10
Railroad crossings
Look both ways, never stop on the tracks, and wait if there isn't room on the other side.
23 mi
Bike lanes
Check the bike lane before turning right, and enter it no more than 200 feet before the turn.
None
Roundabouts
None within 2 miles of the office.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, downloaded 2026-10-07. Counts cover public roads within 2 miles of the office.
Where to practice each part of the California drive test
The DMV's drive test score sheet (form DL 32) marks you on parking lot driving, backing, intersections, turns, lane changes, and business and residential driving. Here's where to practice near Bakersfield Southwest DMV.
- Every loop
Parking lot driving
The DMV lot itself, at the start and end of every test - Stage 3
Lights you drive straight through
Ashe Rd: 5 sets of lights in 1.7 mi - Stage 2
Left turn at lights
From Harris Rd onto Ashe Rd - Stage 2
Left turn without lights
From Schirra Ct onto Ashe Rd, giving way to oncoming traffic - Stage 2
Right turn at lights
From Ashe Rd onto White Ln - Stage 1
Residential streets
District Blvd and the streets around it - Not on a loop
Freeway merging
Only scored on supplemental (referral) tests. For practice, the nearest on-ramp is on White Ln
Score sheet sections from California DMV form DL 32. Places from OpenStreetMap.
Which lane do I need near Bakersfield Southwest DMV?
Lane layouts at the junctions with lights on our practice routes, as you'd see them approaching. Arrows show which way each lane can go.
Ashe Rd and Panama Ln
On Stage 2.
Heading east on Panama Ln
Left, left, straight, straight, straight, right
Two lanes turn left heading east. Start and finish the turn in the same lane.
New Stine Rd and Wilson Rd
On Stage 3.
Heading southeast on New Stine Rd
Left, straight, straight, straight
Heading southeast, there's no separate right-turn lane, so turn right from the right-hand lane.
Lane layouts from OpenStreetMap. Road markings can change, so always follow the arrows painted on the road.
What causes crashes on Bakersfield Southwest's roads
Recorded causes of the 1,514 crashes on local roads within 2 miles of the office from 2021 to 2025, leaving out freeways. Unsafe turn or lane change and impaired driving top the list.
Share of the 1,496 crashes where a cause was recorded. Other causes made up the remaining 8%. About 40% of these crashes happened after dark. Source: California Crash Reporting System, California Highway Patrol, via data.ca.gov.
Bakersfield Southwest junctions worth practicing
The junctions within 2 miles of the office with the most crashes from 2021 to 2025. Each one is marked on the practice routes map.
Panama Ln and Stine Rd
43 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Most were side impacts. On a fresh green, look both ways before you go, and never try to beat the lights. Running a red light was the recorded cause in 6.
Stine Rd and White Ln
43 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Most were side impacts. On a fresh green, look both ways before you go, and never try to beat the lights. Running a red light was the recorded cause in 8.
Gosford Rd and Harris Rd
42 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Most were rear-end crashes. Leave a bigger gap than you think you need, and brake early and smoothly when the lights change. Running a red light was the recorded cause in 11.
Ming Ave and New Stine Rd
40 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Most were rear-end crashes. Leave a bigger gap than you think you need, and brake early and smoothly when the lights change. Running a red light was the recorded cause in 8.
Ming Ave and Ashe Rd
38 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Most were rear-end crashes. Leave a bigger gap than you think you need, and brake early and smoothly when the lights change. Running a red light was the recorded cause in 5.
Crashes located within about 100 feet of each junction. Source: California Crash Reporting System, California Highway Patrol, via data.ca.gov.
Booked your Bakersfield Southwest road test?
See routes from real Bakersfield Southwest tests
Once you're confident on these loops, the Driving Test Routes app has 5 routes recorded from real tests at Bakersfield Southwest DMV, with turn-by-turn voice directions on your phone.
On a computer?Scan with your phone's camera to get the app.
Your first week is free.
We earn a commission if you subscribe through these links.
Bakersfield Southwest driving test questions
Where does the Bakersfield Southwest DMV driving test go?
The DMV doesn't publish its test routes. Every test starts and finishes in the office parking lot, and the roads closest to the office are the ones you're most likely to drive, such as White Ln, Gosford Rd, Ashe Rd. Routes recorded from real Bakersfield Southwest tests are in the Driving Test Routes app.
Are these the real Bakersfield Southwest test routes?
No. Our practice routes are loops we planned from Bakersfield Southwest's street data to cover the skills on the test. They're for practice, not a copy of the DMV's routes.
What do you need to pass the California drive test?
The DMV's score sheet (form DL 32) says you pass with no more than 15 errors on the driving maneuvers and no critical driving errors. Before you set off, you also need no more than 3 errors on the parking brake, arm signals, wipers, defroster, emergency flashers and headlights.
What makes Bakersfield Southwest's roads tricky for learners?
Within 2 miles of the office, there are 10 railroad crossings within 2 miles.
Which junctions near Bakersfield Southwest DMV have the most crashes?
Panama Ln and Stine Rd (43), Stine Rd and White Ln (43), Gosford Rd and Harris Rd (42), counting crashes from 2021 to 2025.
How do I book a drive test at Bakersfield Southwest DMV?
Book online through the California DMV appointments page, choosing Bakersfield Southwest as your office. Book on the DMV website.
Bakersfield Southwest DMV office information
Opening hours
| Monday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours can change on holidays. Check the DMV's Bakersfield Southwest page before you go.
Nearby offices
- Bakersfield DMV5.9 mi
- Arvin DMV15.7 mi
- Shafter DMV16.9 mi
Services at Bakersfield Southwest DMV
- Behind-the-wheel drive tests
- Written knowledge tests
- Driver's license and ID applications
- Replacement documents
- Vehicle registration and renewals
- Title transfers
- License plates
- Disabled parking placards
- Self-service kiosks
- Driver and vehicle records