Pennsylvania PennDOT road test: what to expect

What the examiner checks

• Vehicle controls: horn, parking lights, high/low beams, turn signals, wipers, parking brake, hazard flashers, defroster
• Parallel parking midway between two uprights in a 24 x 8 foot space, one attempt, no more than three adjustments, without touching uprights, crossing lines or mounting the curb
• On-road driving: approaching and obeying warning signs, stop signs and traffic lights, vehicle control and signaling

How it's scored

Examiner judgment; fail for dangerous driving, violations, causing a crash, not following instructions or too many errors.

Mistakes that end the test

• Inability to operate any vehicle control
• Violating any traffic law (e.g. failing to obey a stop sign)
• Driving dangerously or recklessly
• Errors in safe driving practices
• Failing to follow the examiner's instructions
• Causing a crash
• Not using turn signals
• Activating a self-parking feature during the test

Your car

• Valid registration, insurance, inspection and (where required) emissions stickers
• Lights, horn, brakes, wipers, turn signals, mirrors, doors, seats and tires must work; unsafe vehicles are refused
• Applicant and examiner must wear seat belts

After you pass

Drivers under 17½ (regular license after 1 year on a junior license with driver training and a clean record) or automatically at 18 get a provisional or junior license first. Its restrictions:

• Junior license: no driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse 18+; exceptions for public or charitable service, volunteer fire company or employment, with a notarized affidavit or certificate
• No more passengers than seat belts
• First 6 months: no more than 1 passenger under 18 who is not an immediate family member unless a parent/guardian (18+) is in the vehicle; then up to 3 such passengers. The higher limit does not apply after an at-fault crash or any driving conviction
• Mandatory 90-day suspension for 6 or more points or for driving 26 mph or more over the limit (120 days for later occurrences)
• Regular license after 1 year on junior license only with an approved driver training course, no at-fault crash and no conviction for 1 year, and parent/guardian consent (form DL-59)

How to prepare

• Practise in the car you'll take the test in, including parking and backing up.
• Drive the kinds of roads near the test site with your supervising driver: intersections, lane changes, school zones.
• Check the car the day before: lights, signals, horn, brakes, mirrors, tires, seat belts, and current registration and insurance documents.
• On the day, signal every turn and lane change, check mirrors and blind spots visibly, and come to full stops behind the line.