Want tips to help you pass your driving test first time?
Did you know… While taking your driving test, you are not the only thing being evaluated. Your vehicle is being inspected as well. If your vehicle fails the examiner’s inspection, you won’t be able to take your test.
Statistics prove it too. From a national analysis of testing data, almost 35% of drivers failed their driving test from 2020 to 2023. Many of those failures were caused by minor, correctable issues.
The good news?
There is no mystery to what you should be checking on your car before your driving test. It’s easy to remember and doesn’t cost you anything. Your driving instructor will remind you when you take driving lessons in Bloomfield, CT, but you should know what they are beforehand.
So here’s the full driving test car checklist, step by step.
What’s covered in this guide:
Why Your Car Can Make Or Break Test Day
Students show up stressed out about parallel parking. They don’t realize the test begins before you start your engine.
An examiner will walk around your car to ensure the basics are functioning. They can cancel your road test right there in the parking lot if something is broken or missing, and you’ll lose your appointment.
Think about that for a second.
You could practice for weeks. Drive flawlessly on the day. And still end up taking the license plate home…just because your brake light was out. So make sure you RUN YOUR CAR over night. It’s one of the smartest things you can do!
Check Your Lights And Signals First
Lights are probably the most scrutinized aspect of your vehicle. The reason why is safety. They keep you safe and everyone else around you.
Grab a friend and run through every light on your car:
If one bulb is out, change it before test day. Bulbs aren’t expensive and only take a minute to change. Failing your test is going to cost you a lot more.
Tires: The Foundation Of A Safe Test
Here’s something that’s easy to overlook…
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touch the road. If they are worn down or flat, your car isn’t safe — and an attentive examiner will notice right away.
Take a quick look at each tire and check for:
And what about the spare? Running out of spares or having a flat spare can also prompt inquiry. Easy stuff, huh?
Mirrors, Windshield, And Wipers
You can’t drive safely if you can’t see properly. It really is that simple.
Clean, crack-free, and adjusted, all three of your mirrors; rearview and both sides. Now inspect your windshield. One long crack right in your line of vision can automatically fail your car.
Oh and remember your wipers. Check them, fill up your washer fluid, and change the blades if they smear/streak. They’re one of those things examiners look out for more than most in rain.
Seat Belts, Doors, And The Horn
This part is quick, but it matters more than you’d think.
Make sure all seat belts available for use by the examiner function properly. Pull on each one. They should automatically lock when you sharply pull on the belt and smoothly retract. Belt webbing that is frayed or does not extend/retract smoothly is cause for immediate failure.
After that, double-check that:
It’s the little things. Little things fail more tests than most will ever know.
Dashboard Warning Lights: The Silent Test-Killer
Here’s the sneakiest one of them all…
Rotate your ignition key and pay attention to your dashboard. If you have a warning light that remains illuminated — check engine, airbag, brake, or low tire pressure — your car may fail.
An illuminated warning light tells an examiner your car is unfit to drive. Low fuel lights will even fail you in some states. Fill up overnight and get your warning lights serviced by a mechanic if at all possible.
Don’t Forget Your Paperwork
Your car can be in perfect shape and still get turned away.
Why? Because you forgot your documents. Documents to remember before leaving home:
Put them somewhere accessible. Searching for paperwork is no way to start your test and one misplaced paper can cause you to fail before you start.
Keep It Clean And Clutter-Free
This last one tends to catch people out…
A cluttered car can really hurt you. Items bouncing around on the floorboard, clutter on your dashboard, or trash on your seats are all considered unsafe.
Empty the trash. Clean the seats. Do what you need to do to ensure the passenger compartment of your vehicle is clean and inviting for your examiner. A neat and clean car speaks volumes about how you view safety – and that’s a good thing.
Getting Ready For The Big Day
And that’s a wrap folks – now you know everything you need to know about what to check on your car before your driving test.
None of these tests are difficult. Most will take you less than five minutes. Neglect them and you could waste your testing spot over something petty and completely preventable.
Here’s the simple plan to follow:
Do all of the above and you’ll arrive at the test centre knowing one less thing can go wrong. Your car will be good to go. The only thing left to do is drive.