Driving for the first time can be as scary as it is exciting. Whether you're about to turn 16 and want to catch up with all your friends, or you're a grown person and simply haven't needed to drive until now, there are a number of tips and tricks that can help ensure your pass your California driver license test the first time.
Before you can schedule an appointment to take the driving skills test, you must first pass a written exam that assesses your knowledge of road signs and general state driving law. While the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) doesn't currently post minimum passing score requirements, you should obviously aim to get as many questions correct as possible. To help you succeed, the department has set up practice tests online. Beyond this, it is absolutely essential that you practice driving as much as possible prior to taking your test. In addition to execution of technical maneuvers and obedience of street signs and traffic laws, the officer who administers your exam will want to make sure you're a confident and capable--and therefore safe--driver. Additionally, the examiner will also ask you to demonstrate some of your vehicle's basic features (such as your headlights), so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with these prior to the test.
When you arrive for the driving test, you must present the officer with proof of liability insurance for your vehicle, usually in the form of a card that the insurance company has provided. As your test progresses, the examiner will monitor your driving to ensure you're obeying the speed limit and any traffic signs, driving with the flow of traffic and interacting with other members of traffic appropriately--using signals for turning and lane changes, for example. The driving you'll complete will be varied and include both city intersections and open roads, and test your ability to make left- and right-hand turns, park and stop-and-go upon request. As it the case with the written test, the department doesn't publish "pass" or "fail" scores. It does, however, mention that you automatically fail if you make certain "critical driving errors." These include running a red light, exceeding posted speed limits by more than 10 miles per hour and failure to signal or to use windshield wipers (and lights) in the event of rain.
Failure can be disappointing, but it shouldn't be cause for panic. Regardless of the result, your examiner will provide you a detailed explanation of your performance and score at the end of your exam. If you do fail, then you'll have specific guidelines on what you need to practice next time. After you fail, you must schedule a retest examination and pay a retest fee, and you'll have to wait two weeks to try if you're under the age of 18. Overall, California gives potential drivers three attempts to succeed at the skills test. If you do happen to fail all three times, you must simply begin the entire process anew--new application (and fee) and new written test. And if you're under 18, your parents must sign off on your new application.
