Backing along the curbPull to the curb, back three vehicle lengths, then pull back into traffic safely. Scored on traffic check, signal, speed, staying parallel and control.
Business and residentialThe form's box for business or urban and residential or rural streets: traffic check, speed, spacing and lane position on each kind.
Freeway or highway: enteringTraffic check, signal, speed, spacing and lane position on the way in. Count each error; leave the freeway rows empty when the route has none.
Freeway: exitingOn the way off: traffic check, signal, speed, spacing, lane position and steering control.
Freeway: lane useWhile on the freeway or highway: traffic check, speed, spacing and lane position. Count each error.
Freeway: mergeTraffic check, signal, speed, spacing, lane position and steering control at the merge. The form's second page asks for entering, merging and exiting without impeding traffic.
Intersections: startMoving off again from the stop: traffic check, yield and speed. The form's second page says to proceed through the intersection when safe.
Intersections: stopTraffic check, deceleration or braking, full stop, and gap or limit line: behind the limit line, or with enough space left between the car and the vehicle ahead.
Show all 52 lines (44 more)
Scoring maneuvers: sample form DL 32, continued
Intersections: throughFor an intersection driven straight through: traffic check, speed, yield and unnecessary stop. Count each error at each intersection.
Lane change, left or rightTraffic check, signal, speed, spacing and steering control. Second page: signal, look over the appropriate shoulder, move over when there is an adequate gap, cancel the signal.
Maneuver errorsThe fourteen rows above added for each drive. The form allows no more than 15; see the key.
Parking lot drivingScored on traffic check and speed. The form's second page: cross the parking lot at a safe speed, checking for vehicles and pedestrians. Count each error.
Turns: approachLeft and right turns alike, on the way to the corner: traffic check, signal, deceleration or braking, yield, lane use and unnecessary stop.
Turns: stopWhen a turn begins from a stop: traffic check, full stop, and gap or limit line. The form adds wheels straight, with boxes under left turns only.
Turns: turn and completeThrough the corner and out of it: traffic check, yield, steering control, too wide or too short, correct lane, speed and signal.
Critical driving errors: sample form DL 32 9
Auxiliary equipment useNamed on the form, which does not explain it. Our reading: type 1 if wipers, lights or the defroster were needed and not used.
Critical errors markedSum of the eight ticks. Nobody passes with a mark in this section of the form, so it is kept apart from the maneuver total.
Dangerous maneuverTwo words on the form and no definition. Our practice reading: type 1 if someone else had to brake or swerve.
Disobeyed a sign or signalDisobeys traffic sign or signal. Type 1 for a stop sign or a red light driven through.
Disobeyed safety personnelThe form's line also names safety vehicles. Type 1 if a direction from either was not followed.
Examiner had to interveneFirst in the form's Critical Driving Error box: intervention by examiner. In practice, type 1 if the supervising driver had to brake, steer or call out.
Lane violationLast of the eight. The form gives no definition; type 1 if the car drove in a lane it had no right to be in.
Speed (critical)Speed appears here as well as in the maneuver boxes; the form does not print how far over or under makes it critical. Type 1 as the supervising driver judges.
Struck an object or the curbThe form's words are strikes object/curb. Type 1 if the car hit either.
Pre-drive checklist: the vehicle 14
1. Driver windowThe handbook: the driver-side window has to open. Type 1 if it does not.
2. WindshieldA full, clear, unblocked view for the driver and the examiner; the handbook says windshield cracks may postpone a test. Type 1 for a crack or a blocked view.
3. Rear view mirrorsTwo rearview mirrors or more, one of which is on the left side of the vehicle. Type 1 if either is missing.
4. Turn signals, front, backThe form's line reads F/B, taken here as front and back. Type 1 for any that does not blink.
5. Brake lightsBoth brake lights, right and left, must work. Type 1 if a second person sees one stay dark.
6. TiresAt least 1/32 inch of uniform tread depth, and no donut tire on a drive test. Type 1 for a worn tire or a donut.
7. Foot brakeAn inch or more of clearance from the bottom of the brake pedal to the floorboard when the pedal is pressed. Type 1 if it sinks further.
8. HornMade for the vehicle, working properly and loud enough to hear from at least 200 feet. Type 1 if it is not.
15. Passenger doorNamed on the form; neither the form nor the handbook says what is looked at. Type 1 if it does not open and close.
16. Glove boxNamed on the form with nothing more. Type 1 if it will not open or stay shut.
17. Seat beltsEvery seat belt must work properly and everyone in the vehicle must use one, the handbook says. Type 1 for one that does not latch.
18. Head restraintNamed on the form with nothing more. Type 1 if a seat in use has none.
19. Automated technologyThe form marks this line Y, N or U and does not explain the letters. Type 1 if the car has features the handbook bars from the drive test, such as automated parallel parking.
Faults, items 1-8 and 15-18Those twelve rows added. The form gives them no error limit; the handbook says a vehicle that does not meet the requirements means a rescheduled test.
Pre-drive checklist: items 9 to 14, which carry an error limit 7
9. Emergency/parking brakeFirst of the six items that carry an error limit: the driver shows how the parking brake is set and released. Type 1 for an error.
10. Arm signalsLeft turn, right turn, and slowing down or stopping. Type 1 if any of the three was wrong.
11. Windshield wipersThe control arm or switch; the handbook says the driver may be required to show that the wipers function. Type 1 if the control was not found.
12. DefrosterOn the form's checklist; the handbook's list does not describe it. Type 1 if the driver could not find the control.
13. Emergency flasherOn the form and not in the handbook's list. Type 1 if the switch was not found.
14. HeadlightsCloses the scored block that began at item 9. Type 1 for a driver unable to turn the lamps on.
Errors in items 9 to 14Ticks among the six demonstrated items. The form's line for this block is in the key.
Scoring key 7
Critical driving errorsThe form: to pass, the Critical Driving Error section has no marks.
Driver assistance systemsThe handbook: the drive test does not permit automated parallel parking, lane departure or adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitors and backup cameras may be used and do not replace a visual check.
Items 9 to 14 to passThe form: to pass, at most 3 errors marked for items 9 to 14 under the pre-drive checklist.
Maneuver errors to passThe form: to pass, the scoring maneuvers may have at most 15 errors marked.
Traffic checkScored for just about every maneuver, the form says: scanning constantly for vehicles, pedestrians and road hazards, and reacting safely to them.
Unofficial practice sheetNot form DL 32. The sample form supplies what each row scores; how one error is judged on a practice drive is ours.
Vehicle falls shortIf the vehicle does not meet the requirements, the drive test will be rescheduled: California Driver's Handbook.
How this list was compiled: From two things the California Department of Motor Vehicles publishes, both read 2026-10-05. (1) Its sample of form DL 32 (REV. 4/2021), Driving Performance Evaluation Score Sheet, two pages, each printed with the word SAMPLE: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/driving-performance-evaluation-score-sheet-dl-32-pdf/. From it, as facts in our own words: the sentence that says what it takes to pass (no more than 3 errors for items 9 to 14 of the pre-drive checklist, no marks in the critical driving error section, no more than 15 errors for the scoring maneuvers), the names of the 19 pre-drive items, the eight critical driving errors, the names of the maneuvers and what is scored under each, and the short definitions on its second page (traffic check, parking lot driving, backing, turns, freeway, intersections, lane change). (2) The California Driver's Handbook, section The Testing Process, https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/the-testing-process/: what the examiner asks a driver to locate and demonstrate before the drive (window, windshield, mirrors, brake lights, tires, foot brake, horn, parking brake, arm signals, wipers, seat belts), that a vehicle not meeting the requirements means a rescheduled test, and what it says about driver assistance systems. Ours, not the state's: the layout (the form's grid of numbered boxes is not reproduced), one row for each maneuver part with its scored things written out as a sentence, typing 1 for an item with a fault, the practice readings of the critical errors the form leaves undefined (said in each row), and the totals. The form's Driving Improvement Checklist and comment area are left out. This is not form DL 32, it is not the sheet an examiner marks and it cannot be handed in as one; nobody at the Department has seen it. Licence: own work
How it works
An unofficial practice version of the driving performance evaluation score sheet, written from the California Department of Motor Vehicles sample of form DL 32 and its Driver's Handbook, read October 5, 2026. The state's layout is not copied.
Read the full guide
Score a practice drive
1. Press Print blank sheet and take the paper along.
2. On the drive, the supervising driver your permit requires marks paper only at stops, and speaks up or takes over the moment it is needed.
3. Parked, type each row's errors under that drive. The sheet adds the fourteen maneuver rows.
4. Type 1 beside any critical driving error.
5. Open Pre-drive check and type 1 beside each item with a fault or an error.
Questions and answers
How many errors are allowed on the California driving test?
The sample form says that to pass you may have at most 15 errors marked for the scoring maneuvers, no more than 3 errors for items 9 to 14 of the pre-drive checklist, and no marks at all in the critical driving error section.
What is a critical driving error?
The sample form lists eight: intervention by the examiner, striking an object or the curb, disobeying a traffic sign or signal, disobeying safety personnel or safety vehicles, a dangerous maneuver, speed, auxiliary equipment use and a lane violation.
What does the DMV behind the wheel driving test cover?
California's form scores parking lot driving, intersections, turns, lane changes, business and residential streets, backing along a curb and a freeway or highway where the route has one. A pre-drive checklist of 19 items comes first.
What is on the pre-drive checklist?
Driver window, windshield, mirrors, turn signals, brake lights, tires, foot brake and horn; then the parking brake, arm signals, wipers, defroster, emergency flasher and headlights; then the passenger door, glove box, seat belts, head restraint and automated technology.
Is this the real DPE score sheet?
No. The state publishes a sample of form DL 32, and each page of it is printed with the word sample. This practice sheet names the same items and the form's pass rule in a layout of our own; no examiner will accept it.