Parking lot
How you drive through the DMV lot at the start and end of the test.
Traffic check
Look ahead, behind and to both sides, and give way to cars, cyclists and people on foot.
Speed
Keep it slow and in control.
California › Learner guides › How the drive test is scored
California DMV
How the Drive Test Is ScoredThe California DMV score sheet, section by section
15 errors allowed, and no critical errors
Your examiner marks a single score sheet as you drive. Small slips count as errors, and you can make up to 15. A critical error, like rolling through a stop sign, is an automatic fail.
Practicing with someone? Use the practice scorer to mark your drive the same way.
The three rules for passing
From the DMV's Driving Performance Evaluation score sheet (form DL 32). You need all three.
While you drive
15 or fewer
errors on the scored maneuvers: parking lot, backing, intersections, turns, lane changes and driving.
Critical driving errors
None
A single critical error, such as the examiner having to step in, means a fail.
Numbers to remember
The distances and speeds the DMV's scoring criteria spell out.
- 15errors allowedon the scored maneuvers
- 100 ftsignal before a turnat least
- 6 ftfrom the limit linestop within about half a car length
- 200 ftbike or center laneenter within, never drive further
- 3car lengthsreverse in a straight line, within 3 ft of the curb
- 4 mphat a stop signany faster is a critical error
- 10 mphover or underthe speed limit is a critical error
What the examiner scores
The score sheet is split into sections, one for each kind of maneuver. Each slip within a section counts as one error.
Traffic check runs through everything. It means looking for cars, cyclists and people on foot and reacting safely, and the examiner scores it in almost every maneuver.
Backing
You pull over to the curb, reverse in a straight line, then pull back into traffic.
Traffic check
Check ahead and your blind spots as you pull in and out, and look over your right shoulder while reversing.
Signal
Signal before pulling in to the curb and before pulling away, and cancel it afterwards.
Parallel
Reverse in a straight line for 3 car lengths, staying within 3 feet of the curb, with no more than 1 correction. A correction is any move forward.
Speed and control
Reverse smoothly and slowly. A backup camera or self-parking can't be the only thing you use.
Intersections
Scored as you drive straight through, stop, and start again.
Traffic check
Look ahead and to both sides, turning your head toward anyone who might cross your path.
Full stop
Come to a complete stop, with no creeping forward or rolling back.
Limit line
Stop within 6 feet (about half a car length) of the limit line, or of the corner if there's no line, and never over it.
Gap
Behind another car, stop where you can still see its rear tires.
Braking
Slow down smoothly, and never press the brake and gas at the same time.
Yield and go
Give way when you need to, then take your turn without hesitating once it's safe.
Turns
Scored as you approach, wait, and complete each left and right turn.
Signal
Signal at least 100 feet before the turn, but not so early that it confuses other drivers.
Lane use
For a right turn, use the right-most part of the lane, or enter the bike lane within 200 feet of the turn. For a left turn, use the left-most part of the lane, or enter a two-way center turn lane within 200 feet.
Wheels straight
While waiting to turn left, keep your wheels pointing straight ahead.
Correct lane
Finish the turn in the right lane. With two turn lanes, start and finish in the matching one.
Steering
Turn smoothly, without swinging too wide or cutting the corner.
Cancel the signal
Make sure your turn signal is off once you've finished turning.
Lane changes
Scored every time you move from one lane to another.
Traffic check
Check your mirror and look over your shoulder on the side you're moving to.
Signal
Signal before you move, and cancel it afterwards.
Spacing
Wait for a proper gap and leave space in front of you once you're in.
Speed
There's no need to slow down before changing lanes. Just don't go over the limit.
Business and residential driving
Scored on straight stretches, both in busy areas and on quiet streets.
Traffic check
Watch for cars pulling out, parking cars, cyclists and people crossing.
Speed
Keep to the speed limit and slow down for hazards.
Spacing
Keep a safe distance in front and to the sides.
Lane position
Stay in the center of your lane.
The score sheet also has a freeway and highway section, but the DMV only uses it on supplemental (referral) tests, not the standard drive test.
Critical driving errors: an automatic fail
Any one of these ends in a fail, however well the rest of the drive goes.
Examiner steps in
The examiner has to stop you, physically or by telling you, to avoid danger. Taking 3 attempts to reverse also counts.
Hitting something
Touching another car, an object, a person, a cyclist or an animal when you could have avoided it, or driving onto the curb or sidewalk.
Ignoring a sign or signal
Rolling through a stop sign, a flashing red light or a right turn on red at more than about 4 mph, running a red light, or ignoring arrows, painted islands, curb colors or cones.
Ignoring safety staff or vehicles
Passing a school bus with flashing red lights, not pulling over for an emergency vehicle, or ignoring a police officer or firefighter.
A dangerous move
Making another driver or a pedestrian take evasive action, skipping a mirror or shoulder check when changing lanes, merging, reversing, turning right across a bike lane or pulling away from the curb, or blocking an intersection.
Speed
Driving 10 mph over the limit, or 10 mph under it when nothing justifies going that slowly.
Not using wipers or lights
Not switching on the wipers, defroster or headlights when the weather or darkness calls for them.
Lane violation
Driving more than 200 feet in a bike lane or center turn lane, going straight from a turn-only lane, turning from a straight-only lane, or drifting into oncoming traffic.
Score a practice drive
The passenger taps an item each time the driver slips, just like the examiner's sheet. It keeps a running total against the 15-error limit.
0 of 15 errors
On track to pass
Parking lot
Backing
Intersections
Turns
Lane changes
Driving
Critical errors
This is for practice. On the real test the examiner marks each maneuver separately, so the number of chances to make an error depends on the route.
Know the rules, now learn the roads
The Driving Test Routes app has routes recorded from real tests at California DMV offices, with turn-by-turn voice directions. Your first week is free.
On a computer?Scan with your phone
Try it free for a week
Next: run through the pre-drive safety check, or find your DMV office and its practice routes.
Drive test scoring questions
How many mistakes can you make on the California drive test?
Up to 15 errors on the scored maneuvers, with no critical driving errors. Before you set off, you also need 3 or fewer errors on the six "show me" items of the pre-drive check.
Is a rolling stop an automatic fail?
Yes, if you roll through a stop sign, a flashing red light or a right turn on red at more than about 4 mph, roughly a brisk walk. Come to a full stop every time.
How fast or slow is too much?
Driving 10 mph over the speed limit is a critical error. So is driving 10 mph under it when the road, traffic and weather don't call for it.
Can I use my backup camera when reversing?
Not on its own. The DMV expects you to turn and look over your right shoulder through the back window. A camera or self-parking can't be the only thing you rely on.
How early should I signal for a turn?
At least 100 feet before the turn, but not so early that other drivers can't tell where you're turning.
Will my test include the freeway?
Not on a standard drive test. The DMV only scores freeway or highway driving on supplemental (referral) tests.