Automotive & MechanicsHow the behind-the-wheel driving test works
The road test checks that you can drive safely before you get your license. This guide follows how California and Georgia run it, from their official driver handbooks.
Free to startBefore you drive
In California the test starts with a pre-drive safety check of the car, then the Driving Performance Evaluation, the drive itself. In Georgia the car needs valid liability insurance, registration and a safety inspection, and you must know hand signals if it has no turn signals.
How it is scored
California counts errors: no more than 3 on pre-drive items 9 to 14, no critical driving error and no more than 15 errors on the scoring maneuvers. Georgia scores the road test with a minimum of 75%, and the examiner goes over the score sheet with you at the end.
The errors that end the test
In California a single critical driving error fails the test, such as an examiner intervention, hitting an object or rolling through a stop sign. Practice the whole drive free with Blocky before the real one.
Official sources
How the test is scored
The DPE scoring criteria, the Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and the score sheet: every maneuver, every critical driving error and the passing rule.
The Road Skills Test
The Georgia DDS test and exams information lists what is expected on the road test and the 75% minimum score.
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the Georgia Department of Driver Services or any state agency. Agency names are named only to describe the content.