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Section A-4 THE EXAMINATIONS
General Information:
• Your driver license examination will consist of a vision
screening, a knowledge test, and a road test.
• Driver license tests are given at all Driver Service Centers
except for the express service centers. The knowledge
tests are administered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Due to the length of time to administer, road tests are
taken
by appointment.
• Road tests are not given in extreme weather (heavy
rain/snow, dense fog, hail, high winds, icy roads, etc.)
• During winter months road tests are not given in the dark.
•
No test may be repeated on the same day.
•
Mandatory 7-day waiting period is required after
failing the knowledge test.
•
Mandatory waiting periods are required when an
applicant fails the road test for the original issuance of
a Class D license. For details on these waiting periods,
see Table 4.2.
• When you return to take a test over, you must bring back
all of the original documents you are required to provide.
• You will be required to pay the $2 application fee each
time you take a test and fail. This fee applies to PD, D
and H tests.
Determining Which Tests Are Required:
To determine if a driver can see well enough to drive, a vision
screening is required before any license or permit is issued. An
applicant is required to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye
individually and both eyes together. This may be with or
without your glasses or contact lenses. If you are unable to
successfully complete the vision screening, you must have an
eye specialist of your choice fill out an eye statement for the
Department to evaluate.
You will be given an exam covering knowledge needed to
drive safely. The test will consist of multiple choice questions
based on information contained in sections B and C of this
manual. You can expect the test to approximately consist of
the following four areas:
Traffic signs and signals—25%
Safe driving principles—25%
Rules of the road—25%
Drugs and alcohol—25%
1. Test Formats
The knowledge tests are administered in our Driver License
Service Centers using computerized testing machines. In very
limited circumstances, tests are administered in written
formats.
Our Driver Service Centers that have the computerized testing
are also currently able to offer the test in 3 alternate language
formats of Spanish, Korean or Japanese. Applicants for whom
English is not their first language may also use a translation
dictionary as long as there are no notes or other handwriting
visible within the pages of the book. The use of Personal
Digital Assistants (PDAs), Smart Phones, Electronic
Dictionaries and other similar electronic devices are NOT
allowed during testing. Interpreters are NOT allowed to assist
with any of the driver license testing.
Oral tests are available by appointment at selected Driver
License Service Centers for applicants who have a learning
disability or cannot read. If the applicant requesting an oral
test is under age eighteen (18), a written statement from a
physician or educational specialist stating that the applicant has
a medical condition or learning disability will be required
before the test can be administered in the oral format. In the
event the applicant requesting an oral test is deaf, the
Department of Safety will furnish a certified sign language
interpreter to assist with the administration of the exam.
Any form of cheating by an applicant on a required
examination will result in an automatic failure and the
applicant will not be allowed to re-attempt the test for thirty
(30) days. Forms of cheating include, but are not limited to
the following:
• Use of any form of written notes (including notes on
paper, clothing, body, digital pagers, etc.)
• Talking during the examination (includes cell phone use)
• Attempting to allow another person to take the
examination
• All cell phones, pagers or text messaging devices must be
turned off during both written and road test administration.
Original License Class D or Class H
Full Tests: Knowledge, Road Skills,
Vision Screening
Class PD
Vision Screening and Knowledge tests
Exchanging PD to D
Vision Screening and Road Skills
Duplicate, Renewal No Test
Adding For-Hire Vision Screening and Knowledge tests
Endorsement
New residents, with Vision Screening only, if out-of-state
current and valid license is valid and not expired;
out-of-state license otherwise, knowledge and road skills
test, Vision Screening
New residents,
Vision Screening, Knowledge and Road
from other countries Skills test
or no prior license
Table: 4.1
Note: See Motorcycle Manual for Class M tests, and CDL
Manual for Classes A, B, and C
VISION SCREENING
KNOWLEDGE TEST