
You’ve spent the last few months studying and practicing with a permit, and you’re probably about ready to finish the process and get your DC driver’s license. A license means much more freedom–you’ll be able to drive yourself to school and work, provide transportation for your friends, and to take road trips with your family. Drivers are required to complete certain prerequisites in preparation for a license. The road test is the final requirement before you can become a fully licensed driver.
As a new driver, you’re required to complete a number of requirements in preparation for the road skills test. In DC, these requirements vary based on age.
If you’re aged 16 to 21, you’ll complete the graduated driver license program, which consists of three levels: the learner’s permit, provisional license, and full license with conditions. The road test is completed before you get your provisional license.
If you turn 21 while completing the graduated driver license program, you’re released from it; you can take the road skills test as long as you’ve completed the requirements for drivers over the age of 21.
First, schedule a road test appointment. You may choose to take your road test at a DC DMV or at a third-party testing office. Whichever you choose, you’ll need to make an appointment online or by phone as walk-ins aren’t accepted. When you schedule your appointment, you’ll have to provide your full name, permit number, date of birth, and social security number.
On the day of your test, you’ll need to present certain documents. Collect them beforehand. Acceptable documents must be unaltered originals. This includes:
In addition to these documents, you’ll need to bring the following:
In DC, you’ll take your road skills test in a vehicle you provide. To ensure that testing vehicles are in safe working order, the testing office will require that certain minimum standards are met. Make sure that your vehicle won’t be rejected on the day of your road test by checking that it’s in good working order and that it’s properly registered and insured.
Your vehicle needs to:
Ideally, you should be practicing these habits every time you get in the car. You’ll be tested on:
Don’t panic if you make a few small mistakes during the road skills test. A few little errors won’t cause a failure. However, if you cause an accident or hit something, chances are you won’t pass the test.
If you fail your test, you’ll have to wait a minimum of 72 hours before you can reschedule and retake the test.
Your road test can be canceled or postponed for a number of reasons, including the following:
If your road test is canceled, reschedule online or by phone. If you need to reschedule your test for a personal reason, you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before to avoid being charged a cancellation fee.
That’s everything you need to know about passing the District of Columbia road test! Hopefully, you now feel ready to confidently pass the test and get your license. If you’d like to review general driving information, but reading the DC Driver’s Manual cover to cover doesn’t sound like fun, try studying with Zutobi. It provides a fun and interactive study environment that helps you absorb important driving material.
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