For those of you trying to get your driver’s license for the first time, here’s something you may have heard of, but aren’t 100% sure about… “Driver License Exam Station”. If you’re confused, a Driver License Exam Station is a specialized location where applicants complete all the essential steps and processes to obtain, renew, or upgrade their driver’s license. Basically, this is the DMV’s way to centralize and streamline the licensing process for you and me.
This also ensures that drivers on the road who are getting their driving licenses have met all of a state’s legal and safety requirements. In short, they’re making sure you’re knowledgeable of the rules of the road, are physically fit enough to drive, and that you’re skilled enough to drive a motor vehicle. Seeing that your typical DMV driver’s license exam station is meant to handle a high volume of applicants each day, here’s what you need to know to get through it all.
1) Types Of Tests Available At A Driver License Exam Station
The DMV’s driver’s license exam station will hand out a ton of different tests that you’ll have to complete before being able to apply for a driver’s license. You’ll probably know what they are already, but just to recap, here are some of the tests that you’ll be put through at the DMV:
Written Knowledge Test
Depending on the state and which DMV location you’re going to, the written knowledge test is offered to students either digitally or in written form. Either way, this test is meant to evaluate that you have a good, basic understanding of the rules of the road. That would include testing your comprehension of traffic laws, recognition of road signs, and whether or not you’re wary about safe driving practices. The specific questions are typically relevant to each state.
This might include state-specific laws, too. Thankfully, the formatting of this test is similar for most states – a multiple-choice format, that covers anywhere from 20-ish to 50-ish questions, depending on the state. As I noted earlier, some states allow you to take the knowledge exam digitally. This means you’re able to complete the tests on-site at the DMV using a computer or a tablet. For senior citizens or those with disabilities, this might be offered as an alternative.
Behind-The-Wheel Test
The next step on the DMV examination totem pole is the behind-the-wheel road exam. During the road test, a licensed DMV examiner will sit in the passenger seat as you’re driving, so they can assess your ability to operate a vehicle in real-world conditions. Here, they’ll see if you’re able to properly turn, signal, park, and understand the right-of-way, among others. Altogether, they want to make sure you’re able to operate a vehicle and drive on the road safely.
It’s worth bearing in mind that not all DMV driver’s license exam station locations offer cars for applicants to drive with. As such, you’re going to have to bring a car of your own for the road test. This vehicle needs to be a roadworthy, registered vehicle, and all the important pieces of the vehicle need to be working. The latter includes your lights, brakes, and mirrors. Some may also require that you bring along proof of insurance to show that the vehicle is insured.
Vision Test
Another test that you might encounter at your local DMV driver’s license exam station is the vision test. This quick little exam is as it says on the tin… Confirming that you have met the bare minimum vision standards to operate a car safely. After all, if you can’t see past a certain distance, you might miss important road signs or signals. With that in mind, the DMV will have you go through vision screening at the driver’s license exam station, with several tests.
This might include making you read an eye chart from a distance, or using a device to measure how well you’re able to see from a driver’s typical viewing range. However, do remember that those of you who wear glasses or contact lenses regularly, you’ll also need to wear them in the DMV’s vision test, as well. Your local DMV driver’s license exam station may want to include a “corrective lenses” restriction in your driver’s license. So, remember to bring them along.
2) What To Do Before Visiting A Driver License Exam Station
Before you head on down to your local DMV driver’s license exam station, here are a few tips to make the trip go a bit more smoothly:
- Prepare All The Necessary Paperwork – Depending on what you’re doing at the driver’s license exam station, make sure you bring all the relevant documentation that the DMV demands. It might be your proof of residency, a valid ID, bank statements, and so on. I’d suggest calling the DMV ahead of time to know what to bring. Moreover, I’d also recommend bringing some extra photocopies, as the driver’s license exam station might want to retain some copies.
- Schedule An Appointment – On top of that, it’d be a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance, before you visit the DMV’s driver’s license exam station. These ought to help with the often long queues and wait times at the DMV. You could schedule an appointment with your local DMV driver’s license exam station either by phone or through an online booking system. It’s not a bad idea to schedule at least a few weeks in advance if that’s possible for you.
- Arriving & Checking In – When it’s time for you to head down to your local DMV driver’s license exam station, make sure you arrive at least 15 minutes early. More would be ideal, of course. This should give you just about enough time to check in properly and to fill out any additional paperwork. Remember that most DMV driver’s license exam stations operate on a pretty tight schedule, so being really punctual ensures that you won’t miss your appointment.
3) What To Expect When You Get There
Once you’ve checked in, the DMV staff will verify your appointment details, and all the paperwork that you’ve brought, and quickly inform you about what’s going on. They might provide you a number or call you by name when it’s your turn to start testing. Depending on the type of test you’re taking that day, you might expect a different scenario for each one:
- Written Knowledge Tests – Most rooms where you’ll be taking the knowledge test are divided with privacy dividers, between you and the other applicants. You’ll then be asked to take part and answer the questions either on a tablet, computer, or in written form.
- Behind-The-Wheel Road Tests – Once you arrive, you’ll meet an examiner who will give you a handful of instructions and accompany you in the passenger seat. Then, they will instruct you to perform specific maneuvers, such as backing up or performing a parallel park, and they’ll evaluate how you handle these situations.
- Vision Tests – This simple vision screening test normally only takes a few minutes. If you aren’t able to meet your state’s minimum vision standards, you might be referred to an optometrist. The DMV might then ask you to return and re-do all those vision tests, but this time, with a set of corrective lenses.
Results for both the knowledge and vision tests are typically available immediately. This way, you’ll know right away if you’ve passed or failed the test. If you’re in the latter camp, then no worries, as you’re able to re-take the tests. Depending on the driver’s license exam station, you might also know the results of the road test immediately. However, the examiner may take a few minutes to finalize the paperwork. Otherwise, if you’ve failed, you can still re-take it.