North McDowell Blvd and Southpoint Blvd
On Stages 2 and 3.
Heading northwest on North McDowell Blvd
Left, straight, straight
Heading northwest, there's no separate right-turn lane, so turn right from the right-hand lane.
California › Driving test routes › Petaluma DMV
California DMV
Petaluma DMVDriving Test Practice Routes
715 - J Southpoint Boulevard, Petaluma, CA 94954
Within two miles of Petaluma DMV there are 53 sets of traffic lights, 13 all-way stops and 10 railroad crossings. About 6 miles of streets are one-way. North McDowell Boulevard runs close to the office, up to 5 lanes wide in places and signed at 40 mph.
Start with the practice routes just below, then see how far a test can reach and how you'll leave the office.
Petaluma road test practice routes
Practice loops that start and finish at the DMV, each built from Petaluma'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 Maria Dr and Southpoint Blvd, with few traffic lights. Start here for your first few drives.
- Length
- 3 mi
- Approx. time
- 10 min
- Turns
- 11
- 2 sets of lights
- 6 stop signs
- 2.1 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 (12 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head north on Southpoint Boulevard. 0.4 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Wood Sorrel Drive. 0.2 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Capri Avenue. 0.3 mi
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Maria Drive. 0.4 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Big Bend Drive. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto Acadia Drive. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto Shenandoah Court. 250 ft
- Turn right onto Smokey Mtns Drive. 0.1 mi
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Maria Drive. 0.5 mi
- Turn left onto Capri Avenue. 0.3 mi
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Wood Sorrel Drive. 0.2 mi
- Turn left onto Southpoint Boulevard and return to the DMV. 0.4 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
Stage 2: Stop signs and lights
Along North McDowell Blvd and Maria Dr, with 11 sets of lights.
- Length
- 4.8 mi
- Approx. time
- 15 min
- Turns
- 6
- 11 sets of lights, with 2 left turns and 3 right turns at them
- 1 stop sign
- Multi-lane driving on North McDowell Blvd
- 0.7 miles of residential streets
- Junction C 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 (8 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head north on Southpoint Boulevard. 0.4 mi
- At the lights, turn right onto North McDowell Boulevard. 1.4 mi Straight through 3 sets of lights.
- At the lights, turn right onto Rainier Avenue. 0.4 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Maria Drive. 1.1 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Sonoma Mountain Parkway. 0.4 mi
- Continue onto Corona Road. 0.2 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- At the lights, turn left onto North McDowell Boulevard. 0.6 mi Straight through 2 sets of lights.
- At the lights, turn right onto Southpoint Boulevard and return to the DMV. 0.4 mi
Stage 3: Test-ready loop
Everything together over about 7 miles, including North McDowell Blvd and Southpoint Blvd.
- Length
- 7.1 mi
- Approx. time
- 21 min
- Turns
- 13
- 14 sets of lights, with 1 left turn and 2 right turns at them
- 6 stop signs
- Multi-lane driving on North McDowell Blvd
- 2.0 miles of residential streets
- Junction C 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 (14 steps)
- Leave the DMV and head north on Southpoint Boulevard. 0.4 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Wood Sorrel Drive. 0.2 mi
- Turn right onto Morning Glory Drive. 0.3 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Maria Drive. 0.3 mi Straight through 1 set of lights.
- Turn right onto Rolling Hill Drive. 450 ft
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Burgundy Court. 150 ft
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Ely Road North. 0.2 mi
- At the lights, turn left onto Sonoma Mountain Parkway. 0.6 mi
- Turn right onto Acadia Drive. 0.1 mi
- Turn right onto Big Bend Drive. 0.1 mi
- At the stop sign, turn left onto Maria Drive. 0.2 mi
- At the stop sign, turn right onto Rainier Avenue. 0.4 mi
- At the lights, turn right onto North McDowell Boulevard. 3.7 mi Straight through 9 sets of lights.
- At the lights, turn right onto Southpoint Boulevard and return to the DMV. 0.4 mi
Where the Petaluma 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
- 17sets of traffic lights
- 3all-way stops
- 6schools
Main roads in the area: North McDowell Blvd, Sonoma Mountain Pkwy, Petaluma Blvd North, Maria Dr, Corona Rd, Ely Rd North, Rainier Ave and Skillman Ln.
Drive times are our estimates from speed limits, with time added for lights and stops. They aren't DMV figures.
Leaving and returning to Petaluma DMV
The parking lot and the first junction are the only parts of the route you can be sure of. The office is on - J Southpoint Boulevard.
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
North to North McDowell Blvd
0.4 mi along Southpoint Blvd to North McDowell Boulevard, where there are lights.
The roads around Petaluma DMV
What you'll be dealing with near the office, counted from map data within 2 miles.
53
Sets of traffic lights
Most are on North McDowell Blvd and Petaluma Blvd North.
13
All-way stops
Maria Dr has 4 of them.
17
Schools
The limit near a school drops to 25 mph when children are around.
6 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.
4
Roundabouts
Give way to traffic already in the roundabout and signal as you leave.
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 Petaluma 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
North McDowell Blvd: 9 sets of lights in 3.7 mi - Stage 2
Left turn at lights
From Maria Dr onto Sonoma Mountain Pkwy - Stage 1
Left turn without lights
From Maria Dr onto Capri Ave, giving way to oncoming traffic - Stage 2
Right turn at lights
From Southpoint Blvd onto North McDowell Blvd - Stage 3
Lane changes
North McDowell Blvd, a multi-lane road - Stage 1
Residential streets
Southpoint 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 East Washington St
Score sheet sections from California DMV form DL 32. Places from OpenStreetMap.
Which lane do I need near Petaluma 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.
Corona Rd and North McDowell Blvd
On Stage 2.
Heading northwest on North McDowell Blvd
Left, straight, right or straight
Heading northeast on Corona Rd
Left, straight, right
Heading northwest, use the left-turn lane for left turns and either straight-ahead lane to go through.
Colombard Rd and Ely Rd North
On Stage 3.
Heading south on Ely Rd North
Left, left or straight, right
Two lanes turn left heading south. Start and finish the turn in the same lane.
Lane layouts from OpenStreetMap. Road markings can change, so always follow the arrows painted on the road.
What causes crashes on Petaluma's roads
Recorded causes of the 878 crashes on local roads within 2 miles of the office from 2021 to 2025, leaving out freeways. Too fast for conditions and unsafe turn or lane change top the list.
Share of the 837 crashes where a cause was recorded. Other causes made up the remaining 8%. About 25% of these crashes happened after dark. Source: California Crash Reporting System, California Highway Patrol, via data.ca.gov.
Petaluma 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.
East Washington St and North McDowell Blvd
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.
East Washington St and Ellis St
19 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.
Corona Rd and North McDowell Blvd
17 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Many involved hitting a fixed object. Keep to the center of your lane and take the approach slowly.
Lakeville St and East D St
15 crashes from 2021 to 2025
Many involved hitting a fixed object. Keep to the center of your lane and take the approach slowly.
North McDowell Blvd and East Madison St
14 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.
Crashes located within about 100 feet of each junction. Source: California Crash Reporting System, California Highway Patrol, via data.ca.gov.
Booked your Petaluma road test?
See routes from real Petaluma tests
Once you're confident on these loops, the Driving Test Routes app has 5 routes recorded from real tests at Petaluma 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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Petaluma driving test questions
Where does the Petaluma 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 McDowell Blvd, Sonoma Mountain Pkwy, Petaluma Blvd North. Routes recorded from real Petaluma tests are in the Driving Test Routes app.
Are these the real Petaluma test routes?
No. Our practice routes are loops we planned from Petaluma'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 Petaluma's roads tricky for learners?
Within 2 miles of the office, 6 miles of streets are one-way; there are 10 railroad crossings within 2 miles; North McDowell Boulevard is up to 5 lanes wide.
Which junctions near Petaluma DMV have the most crashes?
East Washington St and North McDowell Blvd (21), East Washington St and Ellis St (19), Corona Rd and North McDowell Blvd (17), counting crashes from 2021 to 2025.
How do I book a drive test at Petaluma DMV?
Book online through the California DMV appointments page, choosing Petaluma as your office. Book on the DMV website.
Petaluma 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 Petaluma page before you go.
Nearby offices
- Novato DMV11 mi
- Santa Rosa DMV11.6 mi
- Napa DMV20.2 mi
Services at Petaluma DMV
- Behind-the-wheel drive tests
- Written knowledge tests
- Motorcycle 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