A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
On test day the examiner checks both you and your car before you ever leave the lot. If the car fails the pre-drive check, the test is rescheduled, so know the equipment rules in advance.
Bring to your behind-the-wheel test:
Your instruction permit or driver's license (if you have one)
A CA-licensed driver at least 18 (25 for minors), unless you are already licensed
A vehicle that is safe to drive
Valid proof of insurance and vehicle registration
For a rental: your name on the contract, which must not exclude drive tests
Interpreters may help during the pre-drive inspection but may not ride along. Only the examiner may accompany you, except for training, service animals and certain law enforcement situations.
You show up with a car whose spare donut tire is on the rear axle and the dashcam can't be switched off. The donut tire is not allowed, so your test will be rescheduled. Next time, also cover the dashcam so it records nothing.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How many days must a minor wait to retake a failed behind-the-wheel drive test?
14 days
7 days
10 days
30 days
Answer: 14 days
Minors must wait 14 days, not including the day of failure, to retake a failed behind-the-wheel test.
During the drive test, which vehicle technology is NOT permitted to be used?
A backup camera
Blind spot monitors
Adaptive cruise control
Power steering
Answer: Adaptive cruise control
Advanced driver assistance features like automated parking and adaptive cruise control are not permitted during the drive test, though backup cameras and blind spot monitors may be used.