The PA DMV road test

What do you need for the PA DMV road test?

Bring the originals of all of these, or you won't be tested.

• A valid learner's permit.
• Under 18: six months on the permit, 65 hours of practice (10 at night, 5 in bad weather) and a signed DL-180C. Bring the DL-180TD too.
• The car's original registration card (a valid temporary pink slip works, a bill of sale doesn't).
• Original proof of current insurance. Photocopies aren't accepted.
• A licensed driver to come with you who is 21 or older, or a parent, guardian or spouse 18 or older, with their license.

The car

The examiner checks your registration, insurance, inspection sticker and emissions sticker if one is needed, then the lights, horn, brakes, wipers, turn signals, mirrors, doors, seats and tires. If anything is unsafe, there's no test. Seat belts must work, and the examiner is the only passenger. A rental car is only allowed if the agreement permits road tests and permit driving.

What the PA driving test checks

1. Vehicle controls: you may be asked to use the horn, lights, high and low beams, turn signals, wipers, parking brake, hazard lights and defroster. Not working one properly fails the test.
2. Parallel parking: park midway between two uprights in a space 24 feet long and 8 feet wide, with the whole car inside the space. You get one try and no more than three adjustments. Don't touch the uprights, cross the line or hit the curb. A self-parking feature must be off.
3. The drive: the examiner watches how you approach and obey signs and signals, control the car and use your turn signals.

Common reasons people fail

• Not being able to work a control.
• Breaking a traffic law, such as rolling a stop sign.
• Not using turn signals.
• Not following the examiner's instructions.
• Unsafe or reckless driving, or causing a crash.

If you fail

Under 18, you wait seven days to retest. At 18 or older, you wait one day. You get three tries per permit. After the third fail, or if your permit expires, extend it with the DL-31. If three years pass from your physical without a pass, you start over with a new DL-180 and the knowledge test.