North Imperial Ave and South Imperial Ave
On Stage 2.
Heading south on North Imperial Ave
Left, straight, right
Heading north on South Imperial Ave
Left, straight, straight, right
Heading south, the far-right lane is for turning right only.
California › Driving test routes › El Centro DMV
California DMV
El Centro DMVDriving Test Practice Routes
233 N Imperial Avenue, El Centro, CA 92243
Within two miles of El Centro DMV there are 28 sets of traffic lights, 27 all-way stops and 17 railroad crossings. The office is on North Imperial Avenue, up to 5 lanes wide in places and signed at 45 mph.
Start with the practice routes just below, then see how far a test can reach and how you'll leave the office.
El Centro road test practice routes
Practice loops that start and finish at the DMV, each built from El Centro'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 South La Brucherie Rd and West Barbara Worth Dr, with few traffic lights. Start here for your first few drives.
- Length
- 2.8 mi
- Approx. time
- 10 min
- Turns
- 12
- 1 set of lights
- 3 all-way stops
- 4 stop signs
- 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 (14 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head southwest on North Imperial Avenue. 50 ft
- Turn right onto West Barbara Worth Drive. 0.5 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto South La Brucherie Road. 0.6 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Turn left onto West Hamilton Avenue. 0.3 mi
- Turn left onto South Waterman Avenue. 0.3 mi Straight through 1 all-way stop.
- Turn right onto West Brighton Avenue. 0.4 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto South 14th Street. 350 ft
- Turn right onto West Olive Avenue. 0.1 mi
- Turn left onto South 12th Street. 0.1 mi Straight through 1 all-way stop.
- At the all-way stop, continue onto North 12th Street. 350 ft
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Broadway Street. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto North 14th Street. 500 ft
- At the stop sign, turn left onto West Commercial Avenue. 0.1 mi
- Turn left onto North Imperial Avenue and return to the DMV. 100 ft
Stage 2: Stop signs and lights
Along North Imperial Ave and North 8th St, with 12 sets of lights and 1 all-way stops.
- Length
- 5.8 mi
- Approx. time
- 17 min
- Turns
- 6
- 12 sets of lights, with 2 left turns at them
- 1 all-way stop
- 2 stop signs
- Multi-lane driving on North Imperial Ave
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 (9 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head south on North Imperial Avenue. 0.1 mi
- At the lights, continue onto South Imperial Avenue. 0.8 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
- At the lights, turn left onto Ross Avenue. 0.6 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Turn left onto South 7th Street. 200 ft
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Sandalwood Drive. 0.1 mi
- At the stop sign, turn right onto South 8th Street. 0.7 mi Straight through 1 set of lights and 1 all-way stop.
- At the lights, continue onto North 8th Street. 1.5 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
- Turn left onto Cruickshank Drive. 0.5 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto North Imperial Avenue and return to the DMV. 1.4 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
Stage 3: Test-ready loop
Everything together over about 8 miles, including Adams Ave and Wake Ave.
- Length
- 7.8 mi
- Approx. time
- 22 min
- Turns
- 12
- 10 sets of lights, with 1 left turn and 3 right turns at them
- 4 all-way stops
- 4 stop signs
- Multi-lane driving on South 4th St
- 0.8 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 (16 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head north on North Imperial Avenue. 0.1 mi
- At the lights, turn right onto Adams Avenue. 0.9 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Continue onto North 4th Street. 0.3 mi
- At the lights, continue onto South 4th Street. 0.7 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Turn left onto West Lenrey Avenue. 0.1 mi
- At the stop sign, turn right onto South 3rd Street. 450 ft
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Ross Avenue. 450 ft
- Turn right onto South 3rd Street. 0.4 mi Straight through 1 all-way stop.
- Turn right onto Driftwood Drive. 0.2 mi
- At the stop sign, continue onto South 4th Street. 0.4 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
- At the lights, turn right onto Wake Avenue. 1.5 mi
- At the all-way stop, turn right onto South La Brucherie Road. 0.5 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Ocotillo Drive. 0.4 mi
- Turn right onto Lotus Avenue. 1.3 mi Straight through 2 all-way stops.
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Adams Avenue. 0.9 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- At the lights, turn right onto North Imperial Avenue and return to the DMV. 0.1 mi
Where the El Centro 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
- 27sets of traffic lights
- 25all-way stops
- 16schools
Main roads in the area: North Imperial Ave, Adams Ave, South Imperial Ave, Ross Ave, West Evan Hewes Hwy, West Main St, North 8th St and South La Brucherie Rd.
Drive times are our estimates from speed limits, with time added for lights and stops. They aren't DMV figures.
Leaving and returning to El Centro DMV
The parking lot and the first junction are the only parts of the route you can be sure of. The office is on N Imperial Avenue.
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
South to South Imperial Ave
0.1 mi along North Imperial Ave to South Imperial Avenue, where there are lights.
2
North to Adams Ave
0.1 mi along North Imperial Ave to Adams Avenue, where there are lights.
The roads around El Centro DMV
What you'll be dealing with near the office, counted from map data within 2 miles.
28
Sets of traffic lights
Most are on South 4th St and South Imperial Ave.
27
All-way stops
South 6th St has 6 of them.
16
Schools
The limit near a school drops to 25 mph when children are around.
2 mi
One-way streets
Check the arrows before every turn, and start from the correct side of the road.
17
Railroad crossings
Look both ways, never stop on the tracks, and wait if there isn't room on the other side.
16 mi
Multi-lane roads
Signal, check your mirror and blind spot, then change lanes smoothly.
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 El Centro DMV.
- Every loop
Parking lot driving
The DMV lot itself, at the start and end of every test - Stage 3
Stopping at all-way stops
Lotus Ave, 2 in a row - Stage 2
Lights you drive straight through
South Imperial Ave: 2 sets of lights in 0.8 mi - Stage 2
Left turn at lights
From South Imperial Ave onto Ross Ave - Stage 2
Left turn without lights
From Ross Ave onto South 7th St, giving way to oncoming traffic - Stage 3
Right turn at lights
From North Imperial Ave onto Adams Ave - Stage 2
Lane changes
North 8th St, a multi-lane road - Stage 1
Residential streets
West Barbara Worth Dr 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 South Imperial Ave
Score sheet sections from California DMV form DL 32. Places from OpenStreetMap.
Which lane do I need near El Centro 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.
Ross Ave and South Imperial Ave
On Stage 2.
Heading east on Ross Ave
Left, straight, right
Heading west on Ross Ave
Left, straight, right
Heading east, the far-right lane is for turning right only.
North 8th St and South 8th St
On Stage 2.
Heading south on North 8th St
Left, straight, straight, right
Heading west on West Main St
Left, straight
Heading south, the far-right lane is for turning right only.
Cruickshank Dr and North Imperial Ave
On Stage 2.
Heading east on Cruickshank Dr
Left, right or straight, right
Heading east, the far-right lane is for turning right only.
Lane layouts from OpenStreetMap. Road markings can change, so always follow the arrows painted on the road.
Booked your El Centro road test?
See routes from real El Centro tests
Once you're confident on these loops, the Driving Test Routes app has 5 routes recorded from real tests at El Centro DMV, with turn-by-turn voice directions on your phone.
On a computer?Scan with your phone's camera to get the app.
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El Centro driving test questions
Where does the El Centro 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 North Imperial Ave, Adams Ave, South Imperial Ave. Routes recorded from real El Centro tests are in the Driving Test Routes app.
Are these the real El Centro test routes?
No. Our practice routes are loops we planned from El Centro'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 El Centro's roads tricky for learners?
Within 2 miles of the office, there are 17 railroad crossings within 2 miles; North Imperial Avenue is up to 5 lanes wide; there are 27 all-way stops.
How do I book a drive test at El Centro DMV?
Book online through the California DMV appointments page, choosing El Centro as your office. Book on the DMV website.
El Centro 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 El Centro page before you go.
Nearby offices
- Brawley DMV12.8 mi
- Indio DMV74.4 mi
- Blythe DMV79.3 mi
Services at El Centro DMV
- Behind-the-wheel drive tests
- Written knowledge tests
- Motorcycle driving tests
- Commercial driving tests
- Driver's license and ID applications
- Replacement documents
- Vehicle registration and renewals
- Title transfers
- License plates
- Disabled parking placards
- Driver and vehicle records