Common Road Test FAQs

Techniques Made Easy Driving School offers road test preparation for student drivers across Long Island, New York. During our years in business, we have heard many questions regarding a road test. Here are some of the more frequently asked questions regarding a road test.

What Skills Are Tested on the Road Test?

When you take a road test, the examiner is there to evaluate your driving skills and decision-making ability and is supposed to test you on all aspects of driving. Ultimately determining whether you can safely be issued a driver’s license or not. During the driving test, the examiner will want to see that you know all the driving basics. Five of the most important aspects include:

Driving at a safe speed
Using mirrors
Driving defensively
Signaling before changing lanes
Coming to complete stops at STOP signs

During this exam, you may also be tested on more advanced driving maneuvers you might need to use in your day-to-day life, such as parallel parking and parking on a hill. In the end, the examiner will want to see that you are a responsible and knowledgeable driver.

What Can Make You Fail Your Test?

No driving test examiner wants you to fail. However, if you make critical errors or show that you are an unsafe driver then you are at risk of failing. The key is to focus on your driving and be calm. If you make a mistake, that is okay. It may simply be a non-critical mistake that if handled smoothly demonstrates to the examiner you are responsible behind the wheel. At Techniques Made Easy, we make sure all of our drivers are ready for the test with our road test preparation.

How Long Does a Road Test Usually Take?

The actual on-road driving part of the road test usually takes between 25 and 30 minutes to complete. If you have passed the test, you will likely need an additional half-hour or so during which the DMV can take your picture, process your paperwork, and issue a temporary license. But we recommend arriving at the DMV at least 15 minutes before the road test. Once again, this paints a picture for the examiner that you are on time. Adn while you wait, you can mentally prepare for your test.

What Documents Do I Bring for the Driving Test?

You do not want to show up to your driving test without the proper documentation. If that happens, then you will not be allowed to take the test. In New York, this is what you need to bring to the road test in order to take it.

Valid NYS learner permit.
A vehicle with valid registration and inspection.
A licensed driver aged 21 or older to operate the test vehicle.
Original Pre-licensing course certificate (MV-278) or Driver Education Completion certificate (MV-285).
Certificate of Supervised Driving signed by a guardian or parent if you are under 18.
Contacts or glasses if your permit requires corrective lenses.

For more information about taking a road test in New York State, check out the New York State DMV Website.

Which Route Will You Have to Drive?

When you show up to your road test, you will not be able to know which route the test will take place on. The routes will vary from time to time to make sure the driver is caught fully with where he is going. If the DMV used the same route, then it will be easy to practice that exact route without expanding on where else you can drive. The test is supposed to take you on real driving situations, so you can at least deduce it won't take you on an empty road. This means you can be sure you will drive in a variety of traffic situations, which can include school zones, traffic lights, residential areas, highways, city centers, intersections with traffic lights, and more depending on where you live. If you go on a highway, it is usually for less than 2 miles.

Schedule a Driving Lesson Today

Are you looking for some road test preparation? Schedule a driving lesson today.

Schedule Driving Lessons

If you are ready, you can check out the steps from the NYS DMV website on how to schedule a road test.

Schedule DMV Test