74-740 Technology Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Within two miles of Palm Desert DMV there are 23 sets of traffic lights. About 21 miles of streets are one-way. Cook Street runs close to the office, up to 6 lanes wide in places and signed at 55 mph.
Start with the practice routes just below, then see how far a test can reach and how you'll leave the office.
Practice loops that start and finish at the DMV, each built from Palm Desert'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.
The quietest streets near the office, around Technology Dr. This area is busy, so even this loop meets some traffic lights.
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.
Along Gerald Ford Dr and Dinah Shore Dr, with 16 sets of lights.
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.
Everything together over about 7 miles, including Gerald Ford Dr and Portola Ave.
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.
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.
Main roads in the area: Gerald Ford Dr, Frank Sinatra Dr, Cook St, Portola Ave, Dinah Shore Dr, Country Club Dr, Varner Rd and College Dr.
Drive times are our estimates from speed limits, with time added for lights and stops. They aren't DMV figures.
The parking lot and the first junction are the only parts of the route you can be sure of. The office is on Technology Drive.
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.
0.3 mi along Technology Dr to Gerald Ford Drive, where there are lights.
What you'll be dealing with near the office, counted from map data within 2 miles.
Most are on Cook St and Gerald Ford Dr.
The limit near a school drops to 25 mph when children are around.
Check the arrows before every turn, and start from the correct side of the road.
Give way to traffic already in the roundabout and signal as you leave.
Check the bike lane before turning right, and enter it no more than 200 feet before the turn.
None within 2 miles of the office.
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, downloaded 2026-10-07. Counts cover public roads within 2 miles of the office.
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 Palm Desert DMV.
Score sheet sections from California DMV form DL 32. Places from OpenStreetMap.
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.
On Stages 2 and 3.
Two lanes turn left heading north. Start and finish the turn in the same lane.
On Stage 2.
Two lanes turn left heading south. Start and finish the turn in the same lane.
On Stage 3.
Heading north, the far-right lane is for turning right only.
On Stage 3.
Heading north, 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.
Recorded causes of the 582 crashes on local roads within 2 miles of the office from 2021 to 2025, leaving out freeways. Unsafe turn or lane change and too fast for conditions top the list.
Share of the 568 crashes where a cause was recorded. Other causes made up the remaining 5%. About 34% of these crashes happened after dark. Source: California Crash Reporting System, California Highway Patrol, via data.ca.gov.
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.
69 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 11.
60 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 4.
36 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.
28 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Many were sideswipes. Check your mirror and blind spot before changing lanes, and pick your lane early. Running a red light was the recorded cause in 4.
21 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 3.
Crashes located within about 100 feet of each junction. Source: California Crash Reporting System, California Highway Patrol, via data.ca.gov.
Booked your Palm Desert road test?
Once you're confident on these loops, the Driving Test Routes app has 5 routes recorded from real tests at Palm Desert 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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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 Gerald Ford Dr, Frank Sinatra Dr, Cook St. Routes recorded from real Palm Desert tests are in the Driving Test Routes app.
No. Our practice routes are loops we planned from Palm Desert's street data to cover the skills on the test. They're for practice, not a copy of the DMV's routes.
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.
Within 2 miles of the office, 21 miles of streets are one-way; Cook Street is up to 6 lanes wide.
Cook St and Country Club Dr (69), Cook St and Gerald Ford Dr (60), Monterey Ave and Gerald Ford Dr (36), counting crashes from 2021 to 2025.
Book online through the California DMV appointments page, choosing Palm Desert as your office. Book on the DMV website.
| 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 Palm Desert page before you go.