California
California drive test: examiner commands, in DMV’s English
Only the examiner rides with you; an interpreter may help only during the pre-drive check. We found no list of examiner commands in DMV’s materials, only two phrasings quoted; below them are DMV’s own English words for each task.
- Examiner onlyrides with you; an interpreter helps only before the driveCA Driver Handbook
- 2+instructions the examiner may give at onceCA Driver Handbook
- 1yes-or-no question allowed on the supplemental test (SDPE)DMV test criteria
Can you bring an interpreter to the California drive test?
Only for the pre-drive check, where an interpreter may help you find and use certain controls.
On the drive itself only the examiner may ride with you; the exceptions are training, service animals and certain law-enforcement situations. In the handbook’s words, interpreters “may not accompany you during the drive test.”
California Driver Handbook: The Testing Process DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist
What commands does the examiner give?
We found no script or list of commands from DMV.
In its handbook, its test criteria, the DL 32 score sheet and FFDL 22 we found two phrasings written out; here they are in DMV’s words.
| What DMV quotes the examiner saying | What it means, and where DMV says it |
|---|---|
| 1“At the next street, make a left turn,” and 2“then at the first intersection make another left turn.” | Two instructions at once: turn left at the next street, then turn left again at the first intersection. The handbook gives it as its example of the examiner giving two or more instructions at once, to see whether you can understand and follow both. DMV’s test criteria list this as an extra element the supplemental test (SDPE) may include. California Driver Handbook: The Testing Process DMV Driving Test Criteria: The Driving Test |
| “Stop.” | Stop. DMV’s scoring criteria give the examiner saying it loudly as an example of a verbal intervention. Any action or inaction that makes the examiner step in, physically or verbally, is a critical driving error, and one critical driving error fails the test. DMV Driving Test Criteria: DPE Scoring Criteria DMV score sheet DL 32 (PDF) |
What will the examiner ask you to do?
DMV doesn’t write out the examiner’s words for each task, but it does name the tasks.
The left column is how DMV’s own materials say each one in English: a description, not a script, so the examiner’s wording may differ.
Before the drive: the pre-drive check
The examiner asks you to find and show the car’s controls; an interpreter may help with this part. Missing 4 or more of items 9 to 14 fails the test, and in bad weather the wipers, defroster, hazard lights and headlights must be shown to work. California Driver Handbook: The Testing Process DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist
| DMV’s wording for the task | What it means, and where DMV says it |
|---|---|
| “open the window” | Open the driver’s window. Pre-drive item 1: if the window is closed, you’ll be asked to open it. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “step on the brake pedal” | Press the brake pedal. FFDL 22: to check the foot brake, you’ll be asked to press it. DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF) |
| “parking brake” | The parking brake, set and released. Item 9: find it and show how to set and release it. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “arm signals” | Hand signals for a left turn, a right turn, and slowing or stopping. Item 10: show all three. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “turn signals” | The left and right turn signals. Item 4: left and right, front and back, must all work. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “horn” | The horn. Item 8: it must work. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “windshield wipers” | The wipers. Item 11: find the switch or work the wipers. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “defroster” | The front defroster. Item 12: find its button. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “emergency flasher” “hazard lights” | The hazard lights. Item 13: find the switch. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
| “headlights” | The headlights. Item 14: find the switch. DMV Driving Test Criteria: Pre-Drive Checklist |
On the drive
| DMV’s wording for the task | What it means, and where DMV says it |
|---|---|
| “pull to the curb” | Pull over next to the curb. The start of the scored backing task. DMV Driving Test Criteria: DPE Scoring Criteria DMV score sheet DL 32 (PDF) |
| “back … in a straight line” | Reverse straight back. For 3 vehicle lengths, staying within 3 feet of the curb. DMV Driving Test Criteria: DPE Scoring Criteria |
| “merge back into traffic” “pull back into traffic” | Leave the curb and rejoin traffic. The end of the backing task. The first wording is the scoring criteria’s, the second the DL 32 score sheet’s. DMV Driving Test Criteria: DPE Scoring Criteria DMV score sheet DL 32 (PDF) |
| “parking lot” | Driving through a parking lot. A scored maneuver. DMV Driving Test Criteria: DPE Scoring Criteria |
| “left and right turns” | Left and right turns. FFDL 22 lists these basic actions. DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF) |
| “stops at controlled/uncontrolled intersections” | Stopping at intersections with and without traffic control. Same list. DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF) |
| “lane changes” | Changing lanes. Same list. DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF) |
| “driving in regular street traffic” | Driving with normal traffic. Same list. DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF) |
Only on the supplemental test (SDPE)
Given, at any age, to drivers with a physical, mental or vision condition, or a referral for lack of skill, that may affect safe driving. DMV Driving Test Criteria: The Driving Test
| DMV’s wording for the task | What it means, and where DMV says it |
|---|---|
| “merge into freeway traffic” | Get onto the freeway and drive a short way. If you don’t drive on freeways and never intend to, tell the examiner: that part is left out, and your license gets a no-freeway restriction. DMV Driving Test Criteria: The Driving Test |
| “destination trip” | Drive to a place, then find your own way back. The examiner directs you to a spot a few blocks away from the DMV office; you drive back the same way with no help from the examiner. Usually at the end of the test. DMV Driving Test Criteria: The Driving Test DMV Driving Test Criteria: Supplemental Test (SDPE) |
Can you ask the examiner to repeat a direction?
Not verified For the regular test, DMV doesn’t say either way.
On the supplemental test (SDPE), the multiple-directions item allows 1 confirming question, one that can be answered yes or no, but the examiner shouldn’t have to repeat the directions. FFDL 22 says to ask the examiner any questions before the test begins.
DMV Driving Test Criteria: Supplemental Test (SDPE) DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF)
Will the examiner talk with you during the test?
Not for small talk. FFDL 22 says the examiner asks questions and gives directions, but doesn’t make general conversation.
The supplemental test (SDPE) may add a concentration element: at certain points the examiner talks to you, and you answer briefly without making driving errors.
DMV Fast Facts FFDL 22 (PDF) DMV Driving Test Criteria: The Driving Test
Do you have to follow a direction right away?
Only when it’s safe. DMV’s test criteria say the examiner won’t ask you to do anything illegal or unsafe and the test isn’t meant to trick you; the examiner only gives directions, and carrying one out once it’s safe is up to you.
Is the California drive test given in English?
Not verified We found no DMV sentence that says which language the examiner uses.
What DMV does say: an interpreter may help only during the pre-drive check, not on the drive.
How can you practice hearing the commands?
In Roadfeel’s lesson “Understand the examiner”, tap ▶ to hear 8 example phrasings read aloud in English, then take a listening check: hear one, pick what you’d do.
The 8 phrasings are examples we wrote, not DMV’s words; the examiner’s may differ.
What the drive test scores, and every critical driving error