Hook: A single habit that isn’t test-safe can end the test. Use this guide to spot your risk and fix it before test day.
The DMV’s scoring criteria list critical driving errors. Any one of them means a failed test. Part 1 covers the main ones. Part 2 covers mistakes the examiner marks down, which add up over the test but don’t fail you on their own. If an examiner has to step in because of a mistake, or you cause someone else to take evasive action, it counts as a critical error even if it’s listed in Part 2.
Quick game plan
- Do a 10-minute warm-up before you line up.
- Drive like you’re explaining your decisions to a new driver: obvious signals, deliberate checks, full stops.
- If you’re unsure, protect safety over keeping traffic moving.
Part 1: Critical driving errors (the DMV’s list)
Source: DMV Driving Performance Evaluation (DPE) scoring criteria. The grouping below is ours, to make the list easier to scan.
1. Stop signs, flashing red lights and red lights
- Fail: Going through a stop sign, a flashing red light, or a right turn on a red light at or above a brisk walking speed (about 4 mph).
Fail: Not waiting for a green signal at a red light.
Fail: Making an unnecessary stop at a green light.
Fix: Stop fully at the limit line, count one-one-thousand, then creep forward only as far as you need to see. Before a right turn on red, make a full stop and check left, front, right and rear.
2. Speed
- Fail: Driving 10 mph over the speed limit.
Fail: Driving 10 mph under the speed limit when the road and traffic don’t call for it.
Fail: Driving too fast or too slow for safety.
Fix: Follow the basic speed law: safe for conditions, not just legal. Match the flow of traffic within the posted limit.
3. Lanes and turns
- Fail: Turning from the wrong lane.
Fail: Driving unnecessarily in the oncoming lane, or turning into it on a left turn.
Fail: Driving more than 200 feet in a bike lane or a two-way center left-turn lane, or going straight from a designated turn lane.
Fix: Set up for the turn early. Enter a bike lane or a two-way center left-turn lane within the last 200 feet before the turn, then turn from the correct lane. On a left turn, aim for the center of your destination lane.
4. Looking for traffic before you move
- Fail: Checking neither your mirrors nor your shoulder before a lane change, a merge, pulling from the curb, or a right turn with a bike lane.
Fail: Checking neither your mirrors nor over your shoulder while backing.
Marked down: Checking only your mirrors, or only your shoulder, is marked down in Part 2. It is not a critical error on its own.
Fix: Mirrors, signal, shoulder check, then move. When you back up, turn your head and look over your right shoulder. Don’t rely on a backup camera alone.
5. Blocking and collisions
- Fail: Entering an intersection when you can’t clear it, so cross traffic is blocked.
Fail: Driving over a curb or onto a sidewalk.
Fail: Hitting an object, bicyclist, pedestrian or animal that could have been avoided.
Fail: Doing something that makes another driver or a pedestrian take evasive action.
Fix: Wait behind the line until your exit lane is clear. Keep your eyes moving, left, front, right, and scan for pedestrians and bicyclists before each move.
6. The examiner has to step in
- Fail: Any action that makes the examiner intervene, physically or by voice.
Fix: If you’re unsure what the examiner asked, ask calmly: “Would you like me to…?” Safety first.
7. Other critical driving errors
- Fail: Passing a school bus that has its red lights flashing.
- Fail: Not pulling over and stopping for an emergency vehicle.
- Fail: Disobeying a police officer, firefighter or other safety personnel.
- Fail: Disobeying traffic signs or lane markings, such as a lane drop, painted arrows, painted islands, curb markings or traffic cones.
- Fail: Turning from a lane that is designated straight-ahead only.
- Fail: Stalling the engine in an intersection, or stalling three times from poor clutch or gear use.
- Fail: Not turning your head and eyes to check traffic at an uncontrolled intersection when a hazard is present.
- Fail: Not using the windshield wipers, defroster or headlights when the weather or darkness requires them.
- Fail: Needing three attempts to back the car.
Part 2: Marked-down mistakes that add up
These are scored by the examiner. Several together can fail the test. The DMV’s score sheet sets the limit. None of these is an automatic fail on its own, unless it becomes a critical error as described above.
Parking brake and the other pre-drive items are checked before you start driving. Not being able to show four or more of them counts as a failed test. See our test car requirements guide.
Intersections and yielding
- Marked down: Stopping past the limit line or crosswalk.
Fix: Stop at the line, then roll forward for view. - Marked down: Not yielding to pedestrians or cyclists.
Fix: Full stop when anyone is in or entering the crosswalk. Proceed after they clear your lane. - Marked down: Turning left without a safe gap in oncoming traffic.
Fix: Wait for a gap you would be comfortable narrating to the examiner. Keep your wheels straight while you wait.
Lanes and turns
- Marked down: Turning wide, or swinging into the far lane on a right turn.
Fix: Turn into the nearest legal lane, then change lanes later. - Marked down: Drifting over lane lines through a bend.
Fix: Look ahead through the turn and keep small, steady steering corrections.
Lane changes and observation
- Marked down: Checking only your mirrors before a lane change.
Fix: Mirrors, signal, shoulder check, then move. - Marked down: Tunnel vision at intersections.
Fix: Left, front, right sweep, and a second look where danger can appear.
Speed and spacing
- Marked down: Following closer than about three seconds.
Fix: Use the three-second rule in the DMV handbook’s safe driving section, and leave more space in rain or heavy traffic. - Marked down: Forcing into a small gap when merging.
Fix: Signal early, adjust speed, and wait for a gap you can drive into safely. - Marked down: Entering a school zone above the posted limit while children are outside.
Fix: Slow before you reach the zone. The limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside, unless a lower limit is posted.
Signals and control
- Marked down: No signal, or signaling late.
Fix: Signal at least 100 feet before the turn, not so early that others can’t tell what you’re doing, and keep it on through the move. - Marked down: Abrupt braking with cars behind you.
Fix: Ease off the gas early, then brake progressively. Check your mirrors. - Marked down: One-hand or palm steering.
Fix: Use 9-and-3 (or 8-and-4) and hand-over-hand through turns. - Marked down: Hard stops or jerky starts.
Fix: Smooth pressure. Coast toward lights you can see are changing, then brake. - Marked down: Confusing gears, or a poor clutch or gear change in a manual car.
Fix: Check the gear before you move, and use the clutch and gears smoothly.
10-minute “Fix-It” warm-up (use before your test)
- 2 full-stop drills (count one-one-thousand)
- 2 right turns with a bike-lane merge (check your right blind spot first)
- 2 left turns with correct lane entry
- 1 safe lane change (mirror, signal, shoulder check)
- 1 smooth, controlled stop
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FAQ
Can I use someone else’s car? Yes. Bring that car’s valid registration and proof of insurance.
Are backup cameras allowed? You can use one, but you must still look over your shoulder.
How fast should I go? Match the flow of traffic within the posted limit, and slow for conditions.