DMV Driving Exam in Silicon Valley

Some advices to expats in Silicon Valley (or anyone) trying to pass one.

After one failed attempt, I was able to successfully pass the behind the wheel test and granted a California driver license at the DMV in San Jose. I think there are a couple of things one should keep in mind that is not obvious and found online or anywhere, and I’m writing about it here hoping it might benefits those (nervously) anticipating the test.

Do your homework on the DMV

The driving test, unlike the written exam, is entirely human-graded. This means it is really subjective to some extent. A motivating, friendly, and empathetic examiner can make a difference between pass and fail, as well as the condition of the driving route. Make sure you look on Yelps and read the review of the DMVs near you. If you are in the South Bay Area, avoid Santa Clara at all cost. San Jose is great, and I have heard a lot of good things about Los Gatos’ staffs and the test route.

Test the waters

I have been driving in my home country for ten years but still managed to fail once. (A friend from Asia actually failed several times despite of years of driving experience). Rules are different everywhere, and it helps a lot to drive for a couple of weeks around where you will be taking the test before doing so. If possible, you should go drive around the DMV along the test route you are expected to drive on during the test for a few times. Familiarity means less surprises and quicker reaction, and they count during the test as well as driving anywhere.

Your examiner is your friend

Don’t be a stranger. The examiner will be riding shotgun on your side for a good 15 minutes or so, and boy isn’t that nervous (if not boring) for her as well. Imagine you have to ride with a total stranger from a country you have never heard of (applies to us expats) or young enough to relate to your reckless teenage kid at home (applies to youngsters out there) and doesn’t own a US driver license. Every sudden stop or reckless turn is amplified by the fact that she has no control as a rider and it is likely going to fail you. It is as tense for her as well as you. She probably have kids, having a Monday’s blue, or starving (mine was craving for a roast beef sandwich, and she made me hungry on the spot too). Be friendly, funny, and just humans. Don’t be a stupid dummy and put on the business hat. That is your first mistake. Remember whether she lets you pass or fail you is at least 50% subjective, and an examiner who likes you is more likely to give you a second chance or even let some minor mistakes slip.

Exhibit your extreme measure of safety

Remember your examiner probably have kids? She is probably tired of all the reckless drivers on the street and working with the DMV and screening you is the closest she can do to contribute getting those reckless drivers off the road.

Once I was driving in a residential area and I was just stopping at every STOP sign and the driver behind me decided she had had enough and stupidly decided to make a statement by speeding right past me on a narrow street with parkings on both sides. My guess was she got to 35-40 mph doing so. It may just be a momentary speeding, but if a child had stepped out from the curb in front of her she would have hit her on the spot because she couldn’t possibly see anything obscured by parked cars. 25mph speed limit is the upper bound, FYI. That’s how it’s like here in California or where ever the car culture is dominant. The DMV examiners will make sure they fail you to oblivion if there is one hint that you might turn out to be that type of driver.

Before I even move my car out of DMV, I saw a very young toddler walking with her parents approaching my vehicle on the sidewalk. I froze right there for over 30 seconds until they entered the DMV building out of my sight. My daughter was about her age, and if you had raised a kid that age you realize their potential to quickly slip away from you and into danger. It’s just their thing. My examiner appreciated that pause even though I was not doing what she instructed me to do. Safety should be your first priority. Everything else follows.

Drive as if your examiner is your family and there is a baby sitting behind you.

Don’t dramatize

I did not have to worry about dramatizing my mirror-checking and torso-twisting lane changing habits to the OCD level, like what most people suggested. It came naturally because I wanted to be safe. On the other hands, if I had to remember to dramatize them, I would have been distracted from what’s more important. If you aren’t as stiffed as a trunk, these should come naturally to you.

Congratulations! Now don’t be a jackass

Once you’ve passed, keep the driving manner during the test and apply it on the road. Don’t listen to those jackasses who say driving in real-life is different and you must do otherwise. Focus on your driving, signs, signals, markings and never on the reckless drivers who might influence you to do something unsafe. This is important: Always stop for pedestrians! You are driving in a vehicle with over a ton of metal wrapped around yourself and a safety belt versus nothing for the pedestrians. Treat them with respect, even when there isn’t any apparent risk. Seriously, just stop. You could make their day. Won’t that make yours?

A driving test is supposed to be hard. It tests you as an efficient, reactive driver as well as your conscience.