Is the DMV Driving test in CA hard?

Question

Im going to take my driving test next week and im kinda nervous. What are they looking for? Does the car have to be in great shape? Meaning no lights can be on, like the check battery light? Do they have me honk the horn and what do they check works in the car? Are they going to have me drive in shopping areas and stuff? I know one thing I dont have to worry about is parallel parking because the DMV im going to doesnt check that.

Answer 1

Califorina DMV Safe driving tips.

Steer smoothly at all times.

Accelerate smoothly. Don't race the engine or make it stall.

Stop the vehicle gently. Start braking well ahead of where you must stop to avoid sudden “jerks.” Know where to stop.

Be aware of crosswalks. If your view is blocked at a crosswalk, move forward carefully and look both ways at the intersection.

Be sure your vehicle is in the correct gear. Don't grind the gears. Don't coast to a stop.

Always obey the posted speed limits. If needed, reduce your speed to adjust for existing weather, road, and other traffic conditions.

Remember to turn on your lights if you need to use your windshield wipers in poor weather conditions.

Follow at a safe distance. Use the three-second rule. Increase your following distance in bad weather or poor visibility.



Know what the traffic signals mean and obey them at all times.

Always use the proper lane. Turn from the correct lane into the correct lane.

Signal for all lane changes and turns.

Always look for potential hazards (scan). Check your mirrors frequently.

Always look over the proper shoulder before making lane changes or pulling away from the curb.

Drive defensively. Anticipate another driver’s errors.

Answer 2

The car has to be in working condition.

That means that the lights, horn, emergency lights, break, and accelerator have to appear to work properly.

The first thing they will do is check those.

They will ask you to turn on  your signal lights

-so know them.

Then they will have you drive around.

It's pretty basic, they wont ask you to do any stunts...I promise.

Be sure you always look at your rear view mirror and then side mirrors quickly but frequently..like every 45 seconds.

when switching lanes remember to look at the side view mirror and then over your shoulder.

when crossing the intersection look to both your right and left so that they see you're watching for any cars that could have passed a red light and could hit you.

Drive at the right speed limit.

Basically- it's okay to be nervous.

just remember to always use those mirrors

and obey traffic laws.

I made a few mistakes and still passed.

It isn't hard.

it's very basic.

good luck.

Answer 3

dont worry, make sure you always use your blinker and look over your shoulder, and be nice with the person whos testing you,, he/she might let you slide with a couple of mistakes.

Answer 4

Know all your auxillary and how to work them.

Scan ahead.

BODY movement is key. Your head and eyes should be moving. *Remember, you are NOT a conductor on a train. YOU are NOT only driving straight, YOU must do turns , change lanes so scan and use your mirrors.

IF you have been driving awhile, you will be fine.

YOUR car must be good. CLEAN windshield and no cigerett butts in the ashtray.

Know your arm signals all 4 of them.

right is UP

left is straight out

stop and slow is down

NO freeway but parallel parking is curbside and you MUST back up 3 car lenghts in a straight line without hitting the curb.

Answer 5

It isnt half bad.

The dmv staff member that goes out with you will do a quick safety check of the vehicle and ask you a few questions.

1. they are going to make sure that you have all of your paperwork ( by the way make sure that your car is at least semi clean as in no 3 month old pizza boxes and used rubbers, they wont rate you on cleanliness but it I know i wouldnt want to ride in a piece of c**p.)

2. you are going to be asked to turn on your lights, verify that blinkers work, horn, hazard lights, brake light work etc.

3. You arent going to be going all that far. Just enough to make sure that the tester knows what you are doing. Make sure to signal every turn, stop at every stop sign, look left and right before turning, keep your hands at ten and 2 on the steering wheel.  

4. If you want to have a better idea of the route that is taken: follow a car that is going through the testing route.

Things can be different in your dmv so please take my advice as a guideline only. In all reality as long as you do the right thing you should be ok.