Automotive & MechanicsThe pre-drive safety check: The noncommercial Class C driving test in the car you bring
The noncommercial Class C driving test in the car you bring. Before the driving test starts, the examiner asks you to locate or demonstrate the safety items of your vehicle: windows, mirrors, lights, tires, brakes, horn, arm signals and controls. A broken item reschedules the test, and not finding enough controls fails it. It is the pre-drive checklist of the California DMV Class C driving test.
Free to startThis scenario
- The noncommercial Class C driving test in the car you bring.
The steps
- Open the driver window when asked.
- Windshield: a full, unobstructed view for you and the examiner.
- Mirrors: at least two, one outside on the left and the other inside in the center or outside on the right, secure, unbroken and clear.
- Turn signals: left and right, front and back, all working.
- Brake lights: the right one and the left one working.
- Tires: at least 1/32 inch of tread in any two adjacent grooves, no bald tires.
- Foot brake: at least 1 inch between the pedal and the floor when pressed.
- Horn: made for the vehicle, working and loud enough to hear from 200 feet.
- Parking brake: locate it, set it and release it.
- Arm signals: show left turn, right turn, and slowing down or stopping.
- Locate the windshield wiper control.
- Locate the front defroster button.
- Locate the hazard warning lights switch.
- Locate the headlight switch.
- Front passenger door: opens and closes properly.
- Glove box: securely closed.
- Seat belts: working for you and the examiner, and worn.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Only the examiner rides with you during the driving test; an interpreter may help only during this check.
To pass
- Any of items 1 to 8 or 15 to 17 that fails, including a parking brake that does not set, is a mechanical failure: the test is rescheduled.
- Not being able to locate or demonstrate 4 or more of items 9 to 14 fails the test.
- In bad weather, items 11 to 14 must work or the test is rescheduled.
Official source
Driving Test Criteria (DL 955)
The California DMV publishes its Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) free: the pre-drive checklist, the scoring criteria and the critical driving errors.
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