1.015 Authority to Grant or Refuse Application

DMV examines all documents and applications submitted and may require additional information or reject any document/application if not satisfied as to its authenticity or the truth of any statement contained therein.

1.010 Assignment of Registration Expiration Date (VC §506)

The expiration year on original registration applications is programmatically-calculated 12 months from the month fees became due, and the day is determined by:

Note Vehicles with a “Date Fees Due” date of December 28–31, are assigned the current asterisk (*) year for proper calculation of subsequent renewal fees.

Exceptions:

• Permanent exempt vehicles are assigned an expiration date of 12/31/2099.
• Annual exempt vehicles and IRP vehicles expire on 12/31 of each year.
• Partial-year registered (PYR) vehicles show only the expiration month/year.
• Permanent fleet registered (PFR) vehicles show the expiration month/day/00.
• Commercial vehicles expire on the last day of the expiration month.

California fees become due on the:

• Date of first operation shown on the Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form or Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) (PDF) form.
• Date the vehicle owner/operator becomes a California resident or accepts gainful employment here.
• Purchase date listed on the REG 343 for an original vehicle registration when the vehicle was purchased in California.
• Date the California registration expires.*
• First day a vehicle on planned nonoperation (PNO) status is operated.*

• The expiration date does not change as the result of renewal on a different date.

1.005 Adhesive Labels on Documents (VC §§1653. 4150. and 4150.2)

Do not submit registration documents that contain any kind of adhesive label.

• Remove the label or complete a new document.
• Submit a Statement to Record Ownership / Statement of Error or Erasure (REG 101) form or Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title  (REG 227) (PDF) form, as appropriate, depending on the condition of the title after the label is removed.

Chapter 1 General Registration Information

1.000 Addresses on Documents (VC §§4150, 4150.2, and 4453)

Registration applications must include the registered owner’s residence or business address and mailing address, if different, and the legal owner/lienholder’s business, residence, or mailing address.

• Residence addresses must include the house number, street name, and apartment or mobile home park space number, when applicable.
• Business addresses may be an office building or a street address.

Address Changes (VC §§4159, 4160, and 9865)—Registered and legal owners are required to notify DMV a change of address within 10 days by submitting a completed Notice of Change of Address
(DMV 14) (PDF) form to the address shown on the form (registered owners may complete the change of address on the DMV website).

New registration documents are not issued. The owner should line through the old address on the registration document and print or type the new address on it and initial.

Note A lienholder may submit a change of address on its business letterhead. The letter must clearly state “This is a request of legal owner change of address” and include the same information required on the DMV 14.

Legal owner/lienholder change of address requests submitted on a DMV 14 or the legal owner’s/lienholder’s business letterhead must be mailed to the address shown on the DMV 14:

DMV Change of Address
PO Box 942859
Sacramento, CA 94259-0001

In Care of (c/o) Addresses—May be accepted when an owner does not have an established residence or place of business or requests certificates be mailed to a temporary address. Enter the owner’s name(s)/address as follows:

John Doe
c/o James Smith (key “c/o” and the name on the first address line)
124 Anyplace
Hometown, CA 12345

Residence and Mailing Addresses in Different Cities—When a vehicle owner’s residence is in one city and the mailing address is in another city, only the owner’s mailing address will be on certificates.

Although both addresses are shown on the application:

• A DMV 14 showing the residence or business address and mailing address must be completed.
• Paperclip the DMV 14 to the front of the application.

Example: The customer lives in San Geronimo, but has his mail delivered to a Woodacre Post Office (PO) Box. In this case, list both the mailing address in Woodacre and the residence address in San Geronimo on the application and on the DMV 14, but only the Woodacre PO Box will show on certificates.

Mail Delivered Through a Post Office in a Different City—When a vehicle owner’s residence is in one city but mail is delivered via a post office in another city, the name  of the city with the post office will be keyed as the owner’s mailing address.

Although both addresses are shown on the application:

• A DMV 14 showing the residence or business address and mailing address must be completed.
• Paperclip the DMV 14 to the front of the application.

Example: The customer lives in Muir Beach, a town without a post office or mail delivery, so mail is delivered to the Sausalito Post Office. The addresses are listed as follows:

In this case, the customer would list the mailing address in Sausalito and the residence address in Muir Beach on the application and on the DMV 14.

APO or FPO Military Addresses—Overseas military mail must include the appropriate alpha designation with the APO or FPO address, as shown below:

• AE—Europe, Africa, Canada, or the Middle East (the first three digits of a zip code following the military mail codes are 090–098) Example: APO AE 090.
• AP—Pacific (962–966) Example: FPO AP 962.
• AA—Americas other than Canada (340) Example: APO AA 340.

Mailing Address on Registration Documents—Vehicle registration applications must include both the registered owner’s residence or business and mailing address, if different, but registration documents will be issued showing the registered owner’s mailing address only.

If an application indicates a mailing address only on the registration documents, the
application must include:

• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form completed by the customer requesting only the mailing address be shown on the registration documents.
• A DMV 14 completed by the customer showing both the residence or business address and the mailing address.

Note Although the registration document contains both addresses, only the mailing address is keyed. Therefore, the DMV 14 is necessary to subsequently update the DMV database with the complete address information.

Leased Vehicles

The vehicle must be located in California to be registered in this state. The lessor may show the lessor’s out-of-state address, if applicable. However, the application must include the lessee’s name and California address.

A Statement to Record Ownership/Statement of Error or Erasure (REG 101) form with the lessee’s address is required if the application does not contain a space for a designated lessee address.

Chapter 1: General Registration Information

1.000 Addresses on Documents

1.005 Adhesive Labels on Documents

1.010 Assignment of Registration Expiration Date

1.015 Authority to Grant or Refuse Application

1.020 Bill of Sale

1.025 Branded Titles

1.030 Confidentiality of Home Address

1.035 Co-Owners

1.040 Definitions for Clearing, Suspense, and Incomplete Applications (RDF)

1.045 Designating Legal Ownership

1.050 Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program

1.055 Highlighters on Documents

1.060 Junk or Salvage Vehicles VIN Inspections

1.065 Leased Vehicles

1.070 Legibility of Writing or Lettering

1.075 License Plates

1.080 Lost Mail Applications

1.085 Mail Applications

1.090 Name and/or Address Too Long

1.095 Name Statement Requirement

1.100 Notary–Expiration Date of Commission on Documents

1.105 Photocopy/Fax Copy of Documents

1.110 Q Series License Plate Numbers

1.115 Registration by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

1.120 Rush Title Processing

1.125 Signature by Power of Attorney (POA)

1.130 Signature by Relative of Military Owner

1.135 Signatures and Endorsements

1.140 Statement to Record Ownership/Error or Erasure

1.145 True Full Name

1.150 Unclaimed Certificates, Receipts, License Plates, and Stickers

1.155 Vehicles Exempt From Registration

1.160 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Plate Assignments

1.165 Vehicle Verifications

1.170 VIN Check-Digit Requirements

1.175 17-Digit VINs on Vehicles (FMVSS Regulations, Part 565)

Introduction

Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures (REG 611)
(For Vehicle and Vessel Transactions)

This manual is designed to provide dealers, registration services, financial institutions, and other vehicle industry with vehicle and vessel registration transaction requirements and replaces the Handbook of Registration Procedures.

The goal of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is to provide the industry with the best tools possible to ensure that vehicle and vessel transactions are completed timely and accurately. Because we recognize the value of our business partners and the service they provide to the public, this revised and expanded manual was produced with significant input from members of the industry.

The Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual is now available online only at www.dmv.ca.gov. The department also issues Vehicle Industry News (VIN) memos, as needed, to inform you of any new procedures and/or requirements that may affect your business and may supersede or modify the information/requirements shown in this manual. You will receive immediate notification when a VIN memo is released or this manual is updated by subscribing to the department’s Email Alert Service.

Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

This manual is designed to provide dealers, registration services, financial institutions, and other vehicle industry with vehicle and vessel registration transaction requirements and replaces the Handbook of Registration Procedures.

The goal of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is to provide the industry with the best tools possible to ensure that vehicle and vessel transactions are completed timely and accurately. Because we recognize the value of our business partners and the service they provide to the public, this revised and expanded manual was produced with significant input from members of the industry.

Glossary

Bulk packaging—Packaging, other than a vessel or a barge, including a transport vehicle or freight container, in which hazardous materials are loaded with no intermediate form of containment and which has:

1. A maximum capacity greater than 119 gallons (450 L) as a receptacle for a liquid.
2. A maximum net mass greater than 882 pounds (400 kg) or a maximum capacity greater than 119 gallons (450 L) as a receptacle for a solid.
   OR
3. A water capacity greater than of 1,000 pounds (454 kg) as a receptacle for a gas defined in CFR, Title 49 §173.115.

California Hazardous Waste Manifest—The shipping paper that must accompany all shipments of hazardous waste.

Caltrans—California Department of Transportation.

Carboy—A bottle or rectangular container that holds from 5 to 15 gallons of liquid. Carboys are made of glass, plastic, or metal, and often cushioned in a wooden box.

Cargo tank—A bulk packaging that:

1. Is a tank intended primarily for the carriage of liquids or gases and includes appurtenances, reinforcements, fittings, and closures (for tank, see CFR, Title 49 §§178.3451(c), 178.3371, or 178.3381, as applicable).
2. Is permanently attached to or forms a part of a motor vehicle, or not permanently attached to a motor vehicle but, by reason of it size, construction, or attachment to a motor vehicle is loaded or unloaded without being removed from the motor vehicle.

Carrier—A person engaged in the transportation of passengers or property by:

1. Land or water as a common, contract, or private carrier.
   OR
2. Civil aircraft.

CCR—California Code of Regulations—Title 13 and 22.

CFR—Code of Federal Regulations—Title 49.

CHP—California Highway Patrol.

CHSC—California Health and Safety Code.

CLC—California Labor Code.

Compressed gas—Any gaseous material, or liquefied gas, kept in a container under pressure (see more specific Class 2 definitions in CFR, Title 49 §173.115).

Consignee—The business or person to whom a shipment is delivered.

CVC §—California Vehicle Code section.

Cryogenic liquid—A refrigerated liquefied gas having a boiling point colder than -130 degrees Fahrenheit at 14.7 psia.

Cylinder—A pressure vessel designed for pressures higher than 40 psia and having a circular cross section. It does not include a portable or cargo tank.

DMV—Department of Motor Vehicles.

DOT—Department of Transportation (federal).

DTSC—Department of Toxic Substance Control.

EPA—U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FAA—Federal Aviation Administration.

FHWA—Federal Highway Administration.

FMCSA—Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

FMCSR—Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Freight container—A reusable container having a volume of 64 cubic feet or more, designed and constructed to permit being lifted with its contents intact, and intended primarily for containment of packages (in unit form) during transportation.

GCWR—Gross combination weight rating.

Gross weight or mass—The weight of the packaging plus the weight of its contents.

GVW—Gross vehicle weight.

GVWR—Gross vehicle weight rating.

Hazardous material (HazMat)—A substance or material which has been determined by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and which has been so designated. The term includes hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials, and materials designated as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Table of CFR, Title 49 §172.101 and materials that meet the defining criteria for hazard classes and divisions in CFR, Title 49, Part 173, Subchapter C.

HMR—Hazardous Materials Regulations.

IFTA—International Fuel Tax Agreement.

Infectious substances or etiologic agents—A living microorganism, or its toxin, which may cause human or animal disease.

IRP—International Registration Plan.

Limited quantity—When specified as such in a section applicable to a particular material, it means the maxi-mum amount with specific placarding, labeling, and packaging exceptions.

Marking—The descriptive name, ID number, instructions, cautions, weight, specifications, UN marks, or combinations thereof, required on outer packaging of hazardous materials.

MCP—Motor Carrier Permit.

Mixture—A material composed of more than one chemical compound or element.

Name of contents—The proper shipping name as specified in CFR, Title 49 §172.101.

NHTSA—National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

N.O.S.—Not otherwise specified.

NTSB—National Transportation Safety Board.

Outage or ullage—The amount by which a packaging falls short of being liquid full, usually expressed in per-cent by volume. The amount of outage required for liquids in cargo tanks depends on how much the material will expand with temperature changes during transit. Different materials expand at different rates. Enough out-age must be allowed so that the tank will not be full at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overpack—An enclosure used by a single shipper to provide protection, convenience in handling of a package, or to combine 2 or more packages. Overpack does not include a transport vehicle or freight container.

Portable tank—Any bulk packaging (except a cylinder having a water capacity of 1000 pounds or less) de-signed primarily to be loaded onto, or on, or temporarily attached to a transport vehicle or ship and equipped with skids, mountings, or accessories to facilitate handling of the tank by mechanical means. It does not include a cargo tank, tank car, multi-unit tank car tank, or trailer carrying 3AX, 3AAX, or 3T cylinders.

Proper shipping name—The name of the hazardous material shown in Roman print (not italics) in CFR, Title 49 §172.101.

Psi—Pounds per square inch.

Psia—Pounds per square inch absolute.

PUC—Public Utilities Commission.

Registered hazardous waste transporter— Person registered by DTSC who engages in offsite transportation of hazardous waste by air, rail, highway, or water.

Reportable quantity (RQ)—The quantity specified in Column 2 of Appendix A to CFR, Title 49 §172.101 for any material identified in Column 1 of Appendix A.

Shipper’s certification—A statement on a shipping paper, signed by the shipper, saying they prepared the shipment properly, according to law. For example:
“This is to certify that the above named materials are properly classified, described, packaged, marked, and labeled, and are in proper condition for transportation according to the applicable regulations of the Department of Transportation.”
OR
“I hereby declare that the contents of this consignment are fully and accurately described above by the proper shipping name and are classified, packaged, marked, and labeled/placarded, and are in all respects in proper condition for transport by (mode of transportation such as rail, aircraft, motor vehicle, or vessel) according to applicable international and national governmental regulations.”

Shipping paper—A shipping order, bill of lading, manifest, or other shipping document serving a similar purpose containing the information required by regulations.

Tank vehicle—Any CMV with any size fixed tank(s) (except tanks necessary for vehicle operation such as air, gas, and oil) or portable tanks of 1,000 gallons or more capacity. Includes any fixed tank in excess of 119 gallons mounted on any vehicle or vehicle combination which requires a CDL or placards.

To transport HazMat or wastes, an “N” endorsement and “H” endorsement are required for a fixed tank(s) regardless of the weight of the vehicle or the size of the tank. If the tank is portable and less than 1,000 gallons, only the “H” endorsement is required.

Technical name—A recognized chemical name or microbiological name currently used in scientific and technical handbooks, journals, and texts.

Title 13—California Code of Regulations—Motor Vehicles.

Title 22—California Code of Regulations—Environmental Health Standards for the Management of Hazardous Waste.

TSA—Transportation Security Administration.

Transport vehicle—A cargo carrying vehicle such as an automobile, van, tractor, truck, semitrailer, tank car, or rail car used for the transportation of cargo by any mode. Each cargo carrying body (trailer, rail car, etc.) is a separate transport vehicle.

Water reactive material—Any material (including sludge and pastes) which when mixed with water, is likely to ignite or give off flammable or toxic gases in dangerous quantities. Water reactive material is required to be labeled DANGEROUS WHEN WET.

PURCHASE OF REFERENCE MATERIALS

A CVC book may be viewed online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov or purchased at any DMV field office.
California regulations relating to commercial vehicles are contained in CCR, Title 13 and may be purchased from Barclays at thomsonreuters.com or by calling 1-800-888-3600.

Copies of the CFR, Title 49 or CCR, Title 22, Division 4.5 may be purchased from the U.S. Government Bookstore by calling the Government Publishing Office at 1-866-512-1800.

DISCLAIMER

When using this handbook, remember that it is only a summary of the laws and regulations.
DMV, law enforcement, and courts follow the full and exact language contained in the CVC.

WHERE TO WRITE

Questions or comments regarding this handbook may be addressed to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Customer Communications Unit, MS H165
PO Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450

Section 13: Road Test

To pass the road test portion of the CDL driving performance evaluation (DPE), you must make no more than 30 errors and no critical driving errors, which will result in an automatic failure. Interpreters are prohibited. The entire road test must be conducted in the English language, pursuant to CFR, Title 49 §§391.11(b)(2) and 383.133(c)(5). Technology, such as backup cameras and self-parking, cannot solely be used on a road test.

If you communicate in a language other than English, or fail to comprehend instructions given to you in English, during the skills tests (vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test), you will receive a verbal warning for the first 2 offenses committed on the same test date. Upon the third offense committed on the same test date, the test will end as an automatic failure.

You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner and:

• Wear your safety belt.
• Obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws.
• Complete the test without an accident or moving violation.

During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your gen-eral driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.

If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation.

Remember: You are allowed a total of 3 attempts to pass the vehicle inspection test, basic control skills test, and road test.

Note A driver must be tested in a truck or bus (as those terms are defined in CFR, Title 49 §390.5), or other single unit vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more, to satisfy the skills testing requirements for a Class B CDL.

13.1 – How You Will Be Tested

13.1.1 – Turns

You have been asked to make a turn:

• Check for traffic in all directions.
• Use turn signals and safely get into the lane needed for the turn.

As you approach the turn:

• Use turn signals to warn others of your turn.
• Slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear (clutch depressed or gearshift in Neutral) for more than the length of your vehicle.

If you must stop before making the turn:

• Come to a smooth stop without skidding.
• Come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or stop sign.
• If stopping behind another vehicle, stop where you can see the rear tires on the vehicle ahead of you (safe gap).
• Do not let your vehicle roll.
• Keep the front wheels aimed straight ahead.

When ready to turn:

• Check for traffic in all directions.
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
• Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
• The vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
• The vehicle should finish the turn in the correct lane.

After the turn:

• Make sure your turn signal is off.
• Get up to the speed of traffic, use your turn signal, and move into the right-most lane when safe to do so (if not already there).
• Check your mirrors for traffic.

13.1.2 – Intersections

As you approach an intersection:

• Check for traffic thoroughly in all directions.
• Decelerate gently.
• Brake smoothly and, if necessary, change gears.
• If necessary, come to a complete stop (no coasting) behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks, or stop lines, and maintain a safe gap behind any vehicle in front of you.
• Your vehicle must not roll forward or backward.

Note Do not enter the intersection if there is insufficient space to clear it.

When driving through an intersection:

• Check for traffic thoroughly in all directions.
• Decelerate and yield to any pedestrians and traffic in the intersection.
• Do not change lanes while proceeding through the intersection.
• Keep your hands on the wheel.
• Once through the intersection:
• Continue checking your mirrors for traffic.
• Accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.

13.1.3 – Urban Business

During this part of the test, you are expected to make regular traffic checks and maintain a safe following dis-tance. Your vehicle should be centered in the proper lane (right-most lane) and you should keep up with the flow of traffic but not exceed the posted speed limit.

13.1.4 – Lane Changes

During multiple lane portions of the test, you will be asked to change lanes to the left, and then back to the right. You should make the necessary traffic checks first, use proper signals, wait for a safe gap before moving into a lane, and maintain a safe following distance.

13.1.5 – Expressway/Highway

Before entering the expressway:

• Check for traffic.
• Use the proper signals.
• Merge smoothly into the proper lane of traffic.

Once on the expressway:

• Maintain the proper lane positioning, vehicle spacing, and vehicle speed.
• Continue to check for traffic thoroughly in all directions.

When exiting the expressway:

• Make the necessary traffic checks.
• Use the proper signals.
• Decelerate smoothly in the exit lane.
• Once on the exit ramp, continue to decelerate within the lane markings, and maintain adequate spacing between your vehicle and other vehicles.

13.1.6 – Stop/Start

For this maneuver, you will be asked to pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and stop as if you were going to get out and check something on your vehicle. You must check for traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the right-most lane or shoulder of the road.

As you prepare for the stop:

• Check for traffic.
• Activate your right turn signal.
• Decelerate smoothly, brake evenly, and change gears as necessary.
• Bring your vehicle to a full stop without coasting.

Once stopped:

• The vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoulder of the road and safely out of the traffic flow.
• The vehicle should not be blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc.
• Cancel your turn signal.
• Activate your 4-way emergency flashers.
• Apply the parking brake.
• Move the gear shift to Neutral or Park.
• Remove your feet from the brake and clutch pedals.

When instructed to resume:

• Check your mirrors thoroughly in all directions for traffic.
• Turn off your 4-way emergency flashers.
• Activate the left turn signal.
• When traffic permits, you should release the parking brake and pull straight ahead.
• Do not turn the wheel before your vehicle moves.
• Check traffic from all directions, especially to the left.
• Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper lane when safe to do so.
• Once your vehicle is back into the flow of traffic, cancel your left turn signal.

13.1.7 – Curve

When approaching a curve:

• Check for traffic thoroughly in all directions.
• Before entering the curve, reduce your speed so further braking or shifting is not required in the curve.
• Keep your vehicle in the lane.
• Continue checking for traffic in all directions.

13.1.8 – Railroad Crossing

Before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:

• Decelerate, brake smoothly, and shift gears as necessary.
• Look and listen for the presence of trains.
• Check for traffic in all directions.
• If multiple lanes, keep vehicle in right most lane.
• Not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.

If you are driving a bus, school bus, or vehicle displaying placards, you should be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):

• As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the 4-way emergency flashers.
• Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
• Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you may also be required to open the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
• Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
• 4-way emergency flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
• Continue to check your mirrors for traffic.

Not all driving road test routes will have a railroad crossing. You may be asked to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.

13.1.9 – Bridge/Overpass/Sign

After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was. After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was. If your test route does not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic sign. When asked, be prepared to identify and explain to the examiner any traffic sign that may appear on the route.

13.1.10 – Student Discharge (School Bus)

If you are applying for a school bus endorsement, you will be required to demonstrate loading and unloading students. Please refer to Section 10 of this manual for procedures on loading and unloading school students.

13.1.11 – General Driving Behaviors

You will be scored on your overall performance in the following general driving behavior categories:

Clutch Usage (for Manual Transmission)

• Always use the clutch to shift.
• If equipped with an unsynchronized manual transmission, you must double-clutch when shifting. Do not rev or lug the engine.
• Do not ride the clutch to control speed, coast with the clutch depressed, or “pop” the clutch.

Gear Usage (for Manual Transmission)

• Do not grind or clash the gears.
• Select a gear that does not rev or lug engine.
• Do not shift in turns and intersections.

Brake Usage

• Do not ride or pump the brake.
• Do not brake harshly. Brake smoothly using steady pressure.

Lane Usage

• Do not drive the vehicle over curbs, sidewalks, or lane markings.
• Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks, or stop signs.
• Complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple lane road (the vehicle should finish a left turn in the lane directly to the right of the center line).
• Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane.
• Move to or remain in the right-most lane unless the lane is blocked.

13.1.12 – Steering

• Do not over or under steer the vehicle.
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times unless shifting. Once you have completed shift, return both hands to the steering wheel.

13.1.13 – Regular Traffic Checks

• Check for traffic regularly.
• Check your mirrors regularly.
• Check your mirrors and for traffic before, while in, and after an intersection.
• Scan and check for traffic in high volume areas and areas where pedestrians are expected to be present.

13.1.14 – Use of Turn Signals

• Use your turn signals properly.
• Activate your turn signals when required.
• Activate your turn signals at appropriate times.
• Cancel your turn signals upon completion of a turn or lane change.

Section 12: Basic Control Skills Test

Interpreters are prohibited. The entire basic control skills test must be conducted in English, pursuant to CFR, Title 49 §§391.11(b)(2) and 383.133(c)(5). Technology, such as backup cameras and self-parking, cannot solely be used on a skills test.

If you communicate in a language other than English, or fail to comprehend instructions given to you in English, during the skills tests (vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test), you will receive a verbal warning for the first 2 offenses committed on the same test date. Upon the third offense committed on the same test date, the test will end as an automatic failure.

The purpose of the basic control skills test is to evaluate your skill in controlling the vehicle and judging its position and relation to other objects while maneuvering through various exercises. The judgement and skill required for each exercise can apply to many different driving situations.

You will be tested on a subset of the following exercises:

• Straight line backing.
• Offset back/right.
• Offset back/left.
• Parallel park (driver side).
• Parallel park (conventional).
• Alley dock.

Note Refusing or failing to complete a basic control skills test exercise as instructed may result in an automatic failure.

These exercises are shown in Figures 12.1 through 12.6.

12.1 – Skills Test Scoring

Your performance on the basic control skills test is scored by the examiner. You will be scored for the following:

• Encroachments (crossing boundaries).
• Pull ups.
• Outside vehicle observations (looks).
• Final position / inside parallel.

Encroachments—The examiner will score the number of times you touch or cross over an exercise boundary line or cone with any portion of your vehicle. Each encroachment will count as an error.

Pull Ups—When a driver stops and pulls forward to clear an encroachment or get a better position, it is scored as a “pull up.” Stopping without changing direction does not count as a pull up. You will not be penalized for initial pull ups. However, an excessive number of pull ups will count as errors.

Outside Vehicle Observations (Looks)—You may be permitted to safely stop and exit the vehicle to check the external position of your vehicle (look). When doing so, you must place the vehicle in Neutral and set the parking brake(s). Then, when exiting the vehicle, you must do so safely by facing the vehicle and maintaining 3 points of contact with the vehicle at all times (when exiting a bus, maintain a firm grasp on the handrail at all times). If you do not safely secure the vehicle or safely exit the vehicle, it may result in an automatic failure of the basic control skills test.

The maximum number of times that you may look to check the position of your vehicle is 2, except for the straight line backing exercise, which allows only 1 look. Each time you open the door, move from a seated position where in physical control of the vehicle, or on a bus walk to the back of a bus to get a better view, is scored as a “look.”

Final Position/inside parallel—It is important that you finish each exercise exactly as the examiner has instructed. If you do not maneuver the vehicle into its final position as described by the examiner, you will be penalized and could fail the basic skills test.

12.2 – Skills Test Exercises

These exercises are shown in Figures 12.1 through 12.6.

12.2.1 – Straight Line Backing

You may be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line between 2 rows of cones without touching or crossing over the exercise boundaries. See Figure 12.1.

12.2.2 – Offset Back/Right

You may be asked to back into a space that is to the right rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward the outer boundary. From that position, you must back the vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones without striking boundary lines or cones. See Figure 12.2.

12.2.3 – Offset Back/Left

You may be asked to back into a space that is to the left rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight toward the outer boundary. From that position, you must back the vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones without striking boundary lines or cones. See Figure 12.3.

12.2.4 – Parallel Park (Driver Side)

You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your left. You will drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area;, and then back into the space without crossing front, side, or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your entire vehicle completely into the space. See Figure 12.4.

12.2.5 – Parallel Park (Conventional)

You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. You will drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area, and then back into the space without crossing front, side, or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your entire vehicle completely into the space. See Figure 12.5.

12.2.6 – Alley Dock

You may be asked to sight-side back your vehicle into an alley. You will drive past the alley and position your vehicle parallel to the outer boundary. From that position, back into the alley, bringing the rear of your vehicle within 3 feet of the rear of the alley, without touching boundary lines or cones. Your vehicle must be straight within the alley/lane when completed. See Figure 12.6.