The Vehicle Safety Inspection
Before you begin driving, the examiner will check that your vehicle is safe and eligible for the test. If the vehicle does not meet these DPS requirements, the test may not begin.
Exterior essentials: The vehicle should have front and back metal license plates, working headlights, tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, and tires in safe condition.
Interior controls: The examiner may verify that equipment such as the horn, seatbelts, windshield wipers, mirrors, and other required controls are functioning properly.
Registration and insurance: You must provide acceptable proof of vehicle registration and liability insurance. Dealer-issued paper plates are not accepted for the DPS road test.
Doors and visibility: The driver and front passenger doors must operate properly, and the windshield must provide an unobstructed view.
Hand signals: You may also be asked to demonstrate standard driver hand signals:
- Left turn: arm straight out
- Right turn: arm bent upward
- Stop or slow: arm bent downward
During the Test: Examiner Instructions
The examiner will give you directions throughout the road test, but they are not there to coach you through each maneuver. Once the test begins, the examiner is generally not permitted to engage in casual or instructional conversation.
If you have questions about the testing process, ask them before the test begins. During the exam, listen carefully and follow each instruction when it is safe and legal to do so. If you do not hear or understand a direction, ask the examiner to repeat it rather than guessing.
The Four Core Skills to Demonstrate
Texas drivers test examiners evaluate your driving performance using the state’s COPS framework: Control, Observation, Position, and Signal. Each plays a key role in safe driving practice.
Control: Accelerate and brake smoothly, steer steadily, and maintain consistent control without abrupt or unnecessary corrections.
Observation: Check mirrors regularly, scan intersections and surrounding traffic, and check blind spots when changing lanes or performing other maneuvers.
Position: Stay properly centered in your lane, maintain a safe following distance, and position the vehicle correctly for turns and other maneuvers.
Signal: Use turn signals appropriately before turns and lane changes and cancel them after the maneuver when necessary.
Driver-Assistance Technology: What Is Allowed on the Texas Road Test?
Modern vehicles often include backup cameras, parking sensors, and other driver-assistance features. DPS allows you to use a backup camera while backing and parallel parking, but electronic aids should supplement—not replace—your own observation and vehicle-control skills.
Automated self-parking systems are not permitted. You must perform the required maneuvers yourself.
Even when using a backup camera, continue checking mirrors and your surroundings rather than staring only at the screen.
What is on the Texas Driving Test? Required Road Test Maneuvers
Texas road test examiners will evaluate you on each of the following basic driving skills. Typically, the examiner will test your spatial awareness and precise control in a low-risk setting like a parking lot, before moving to the road to evaluate how well you manage active traffic situations.
Parallel Parking
On the Texas driving test, parallel parking is one of the biggest challenges for many new drivers. The DPS does not publish a universal driving test parallel parking distance, so focus on positioning the vehicle safely and accurately within the designated space, whatever its dimensions.
Execution: Signal as appropriate, position the vehicle correctly for the maneuver, reverse carefully into the designated space, and finish reasonably parallel to the curb or boundary.
Pro-tip: Continue checking your surroundings while reversing.
Scoring: Poor vehicle control, improper observation, striking boundaries, or unsafe positioning can negatively affect your test result.
Straight-Line Backing
The straight-line backing portion of the drivers test demonstrates whether you can safely control the vehicle while moving in reverse.
Execution: Back the vehicle in a straight line for approximately 60 feet at a low, walking speed.
Pro-Tip: Turn your head and upper body to the right to look through the rear window while reversing.
Scoring: While backup cameras and side mirrors are permitted for quick secondary checks, relying primarily on them or staring at the dash screen instead of looking out the rear window can lead to point deductions.
Intersections and Stop Signs
Intersections naturally test your observation, stopping technique, right-of-way decisions, and ability to respond safely to other road users. On the drivers test, the examiner will guide you through several types of intersections.
Execution: Come to a complete stop where required, including behind the limit line or crosswalk when one is present.
Pro-tip: If your view of cross-traffic is blocked, make the required complete stop first, then move forward cautiously as necessary to obtain a safe view before proceeding.
Scoring: Rolling stops, poor observation, unsafe entry into an intersection, or failure to follow traffic-control devices can negatively affect your result. A dangerous or illegal maneuver can cause the test to end immediately.
Right-of-Way Decisions
The examiner will watch how well you recognize when to yield and when it is safe and appropriate to proceed. Good right-of-way decisions require both knowledge of traffic laws and clear, predictable driving.
Yielding: Yield whenever required by signs, signals, traffic conditions, or another road user’s legal right-of-way. Do not force another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian to brake or change direction to avoid you.
Four-way stops: Come to a complete stop and proceed in the proper order. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left generally yields to the vehicle on the right.
Unprotected left turns: Yield to approaching traffic and pedestrians before turning. Wait for a safe gap that allows you to complete the turn without creating a hazard.
Entering traffic: When pulling away from a curb, driveway, parking lot, or side street, check mirrors and blind spots and yield to traffic already on the roadway.
Pedestrians: Yield to pedestrians when required and scan carefully before turning through intersections and crosswalks.
Pro-tip: Do not become so hesitant that you stop unnecessarily or surrender your right-of-way in a way that confuses other drivers. Be cautious, but also drive confidently.
Lane Changes and Turns
Once on public roads, the examiner will monitor how well you control the vehicle while interacting with normal traffic.
Turns: Signal before turning, position yourself in the proper lane, slow appropriately, and complete the turn without cutting corners or drifting unnecessarily.
Lane changes: Signal, check mirrors, perform an appropriate blind-spot check, and move smoothly into the new lane when it is safe.
Pro-tip: Avoid abrupt acceleration or braking during a lane change. Your goal is to merge smoothly and predictably with surrounding traffic.
Following Distance and Speed Control
The examiner will watch whether you maintain a safe following distance and choose a speed appropriate for the road, traffic, and weather conditions. Driving too closely, speeding, or moving unnecessarily slowly can all show poor judgment and vehicle control.
Following distance: Keep at least a two-second gap between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead under normal conditions. Increase that distance when at higher speeds, when roads are wet, visibility is poor, traffic is heavy, or stopping conditions are less favorable.
Speed control: Obey the posted speed limit, but remember that the posted limit is not always the safest speed. Reduce your speed when weather, visibility, road conditions, curves, intersections, or traffic require it.
Pro-tip: Avoid both aggressive and excessively hesitant driving. Maintain a steady, appropriate speed and leave enough room to react safely if conditions change.
Steering, Posture, and Vehicle Control
You may be surprised to know that the examiner will evaluate your posture in the driver’s seat. The DPS specifically instructs road test-takers to keep their hands on the steering wheel and avoid resting an elbow on the window.
Posture: Sit upright in a position that gives you a clear view of the road and easy access to the steering wheel, pedals, mirrors, and controls.
Steering: Maintain proper control of the steering wheel and use smooth, deliberate movements. Avoid casual one-handed driving or unnecessary abrupt corrections.
Turns: Keep control of the vehicle throughout each turn and return the vehicle smoothly to the correct lane position.
Manual transmissions: If you test in a vehicle with a manual transmission, clutch operation may also be evaluated. Shift smoothly and maintain control without excessive stalling, rolling, or improper clutch use.
Pro-tip: Drive with the same attentive posture you would use during a formal driving lesson. Casual habits can make your driving appear less controlled and attentive.
Quick Stops
The examiner may ask you to demonstrate a prompt, controlled stop while maintaining proper vehicle control. If requested, follow the examiner’s instructions and stop firmly without creating an unnecessary skid or losing control of the vehicle.
For additional preparation, review the Texas DPS How to Prepare for a Drive Test brochure before your road test appointment.
How the Texas Driving Test Is Scored
Texas uses a point-deduction system for the driving test, although the state does not publish how many points each mistake is worth. Under 37 Texas Administrative Code §15.56, a driver can be disqualified when deductions exceed:
- 30 points on the on-street test
- 5 points on the backing test
- 7 points on the parallel parking test
This means a cluster of mistakes within one portion of the test can be enough to cause a failure, even if the rest of the drive is stronger. At the same time, the road test is not simply about avoiding a certain number of mistakes. Examiners are evaluating whether you consistently demonstrate safe control and sound judgment. Repetitive errors—such as poor observation, inconsistent signaling, or improper positioning—can show a pattern of unsafe driving, and these deductions can add up quickly.
Rather than trying to calculate how many points you can afford to lose, focus on making safe, predictable decisions throughout every part of the test.
What Can Cause an Automatic Failure?
Dangerous actions can independently cause you to fail the road test.
Examples may include:
- Running a red light or Stop sign
- Driving onto a curb or sidewalk
- Driving into opposing traffic
- Creating an immediate collision hazard
- Failing to yield when necessary to avoid danger
- Losing control of the vehicle
- Any action that causes the examiner or another road user to act to avoid a collision
- Failing to follow instructions
These are not minor mistakes that simply add to your point deductions. A single dangerous or illegal action can be enough to fail the test.
What Happens After the Driving Test?
Once your road test is complete, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed and provide feedback about areas where you performed well or need improvement.
If you fail, your DPS driver license application generally remains active for up to 90 days or until you have failed three driving tests, whichever occurs first. After that, you must submit a new application and pay the required fee again. If you test through a third-party skills testing provider, retest rules and fees may vary by provider.
What to Bring to Your Road Test: Checklist
To ensure your Texas road test proceeds without administrative delays, remember to bring the following documents to the testing site:
- Valid learner’s permit
- ITD completion certificate, printed and dated within 90 days
- Driver education completion certificate (Form DE-964 for minors or Form ADE-1317 for adults)
- Signed 30-Hour Practice Log (if under 18)
- For PTDE students, signed Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Affidavit (Form DL-90B)
- Proof of test vehicle registration and active liability insurance
For a detailed list of required and acceptable documents, see the What it takes to Apply for a DL or ID Card checklist on the DPS website.
If you want to complete driver education online, look for a TDLR-approved Texas Teen Driver Education or Texas Adult Driver Education course to meet your state requirements for driver licensing.
