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Utah driving lesson · Vision, Health & Exams

Test vehicle, automatic fails, and tips

A 3-minute lesson from the Utah course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Vision, Health & Exams
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
34, 35

Many skills tests end before they start because the car isn't test-ready, and others end early from one dangerous mistake. Check your vehicle against this list, know what causes an automatic fail, and practice the habits examiners score.

Test vehicle outside:

  • Rear plate with current registration (front plate not required after January 1, 2025)
  • Front and back turn signals and working brake lights
  • A working horn designed for the vehicle
  • Tires with no bald spots
  • Adequate brake pressure (you may be asked to press the pedal)
  • A windshield that gives an entire, unobstructed view
Handbook p. 34 ↗

Test vehicle inside:

  • A driver's side window that rolls down
  • Two rearview mirrors, one outside to the driver's left
  • Driver and front passenger doors that open from inside and outside
  • A passenger seat permanently attached
  • Working safety belts and a working emergency/parking brake
Handbook p. 34 ↗

Know the rule

The vehicle must also be clean, free of unnecessary debris and odor, and safe to drive.

Handbook p. 34 ↗

Automatic failure if you:

  • Get a moving violation, disobey signs or signals, speed, roll through stops, or ignore traffic laws
  • Fail to yield to pedestrians or other road users
  • Have an avoidable crash or touch another vehicle, object, or pedestrian
  • Commit any unsafe act, or force another driver to swerve to avoid a crash
  • Drive over sidewalks or curbs unnecessarily
  • Make the examiner take control of the vehicle
  • Drive too fast or too slow
Handbook p. 35 ↗

Safe driving habits the examiner looks for:

  • Both hands on the outside of the wheel (hand-over-hand or push-pull)
  • Smooth acceleration; no racing the engine or stalling
  • Brake early and gently; know where to stop and watch for crosswalks
  • Correct gear; don't grind gears or coast to a stop
  • Obey posted limits; slow for weather, road, and traffic
  • Turn from the correct lane into the correct lane; signal every turn and lane change
  • Scan for hazards and check mirrors often
  • Head check over the proper shoulder before lane changes, leaving the curb, or turning
  • Drive defensively: expect other drivers' errors
Handbook p. 35 ↗
2 seconds

Minimum following distance (the two-second rule); increase it in bad weather or poor visibility

Handbook p. 35 ↗

Know the rule

If your view is blocked at a crosswalk, move forward carefully and look both ways before entering the intersection.

Handbook p. 35 ↗

Put it into practice

During your test, a car cuts close and the examiner grabs the wheel to steer you away. Even if it wasn't really your fault, the examiner taking control is an automatic failure, so leave extra space and scan early.

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.

Which of these is required for the test vehicle's mirrors?
  1. Only an inside rearview mirror
  2. Two mirrors, one on the outside to the driver's left
  3. One mirror on either outside door
  4. Mirrors on both outside doors only

Answer: Two mirrors, one on the outside to the driver's left

The test vehicle needs two rear view mirrors, one of which must be on the outside, to the driver's left.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
Which of these will cause an automatic failure on the driving skills test?
  1. Driving 5 mph under the speed limit briefly
  2. Adjusting the radio at a red light
  3. The examiner has to take control of the vehicle
  4. Asking the examiner a question

Answer: The examiner has to take control of the vehicle

If the examiner has to take control of the vehicle, it results in automatic failure.

Handbook p. 35 ↗
What license plate rule applies to a vehicle used for a Utah driving skills test?
  1. The rear plate must show current registration
  2. Both plates must show current registration
  3. Only the front plate is checked
  4. Plates aren't checked if the car is insured

Answer: The rear plate must show current registration

The rear plate must show current registration; a front plate is not required after January 1, 2025.

Handbook p. 34 ↗
Which of these is a listed automatic-failure condition on the driving skills test?
  1. Driving exactly the speed limit
  2. Failing to yield to pedestrians or other roadway users
  3. Signaling too early
  4. Checking mirrors frequently

Answer: Failing to yield to pedestrians or other roadway users

Failing to yield to pedestrians or other roadway users results in automatic failure.

Handbook p. 35 ↗
You should always scan for hazards and check your mirrors frequently while driving.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Always scan for potential hazards and check your mirrors frequently, per the safe driving tips.

Handbook p. 35 ↗
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