What You Should Know About Taking the PA Driver’s License Test (Rev 01.05.
2019)
Student Handout
What You Should Know
About Taking the Pennsylvania Driver’s License Test
When you are going for your exam, remember to RELAX and trust you will pass the
test. Having a good attitude and positive outlook about the test and the examiner will
help you succeed. If for any reason you fail the exam, it’s not the end of the world. You
can take it again! Most students who do fail the exam are nervous and/or too excited.
Being nervous or having a bad attitude will set you up for failure. Think positively. The
test examiners are there to help you pass the exam as a safe driver. They are genuine
people who are doing their jobs by protecting other drivers. If you are a safe driver and
have executed the correct driving skills, you will pass.
Make sure to have the following:
Your VALID PA Learner’s Permit.
The DL-180C – 65 Hour Certificate
(if your parent/guardian will not be with you at the time of the exam)
o The DL-180C form is available on our website under the “resources” page.
o This form must be signed by a parent/guardian and then be notarized.
If you are using your own vehicle, you will also need to have:
The valid registration card for the vehicle you will be driving during the test.
The valid insurance card for the vehicle you will be driving during the test.
Make sure the person with you is:
o A licensed driver over the age of 21
o With a VALID Driver’s License.
What You Should Know About Taking the PA Driver’s License Test (Rev 01.05.2019)
Rev 01.05.2019
Continued
The PA Driver’s License Skills Test
The first thing you will be asked to do is demonstrate your knowledge of the vehicle’s controls. You
will be asked to turn on the headlights, high beams, turn signals, four-way flashers (hazard lights),
windshield wipers and fluid, sound the horn, locate and apply the emergency brake, in addition to the
front and rear defrosters.
If any of these controls are inoperable, you will not be permitted to use that vehicle for the test.
Failure to operate any of the controls will result in point deduction.
Next, you will be asked to Parallel Park in an 8’ X 24’ space marked with posts, cones, or barrels. You
are allotted 3 reverse maneuvers to park the vehicle completely inside the space. If any part of the
vehicle (including the tires of the vehicle) is on the line, the exam ends unsuccessfully. Tapping any of
the markers will also result in an unsuccessful exam. Everything is done with practical conditions in
mind; therefore, you must use your turn signals going into and out of parking, in addition, to looking for
traffic coming out of parking. If the attempt at parallel parking is unsuccessful, the test will be ended as
per PA state guidelines.
You will then be directed onto the road. Remember, the examiner can only give you directions, they
cannot tell you specifically what to do.
Things to Remember
The test only takes approximately 15 minutes.
The examiner will test you on basic driving skills.
The test is on main roads.
Stop with the stop sign in front of the automobile, NOT over the limit line, (Or wherever
directed by the examiner).
Make full three second stops, making sure the odometer reads “0”.
Look left, right, left and glance right again before pulling out.
o Make sure to physically move your head so that it is visible that you are looking both ways.
Steering wheel hand placement should be at 10 and 2 or 9 and 3.
Makes sure both hands are on the steering wheel, NO one handed steering.
Use the hand over hand technique or the shuffle technique.
Do not cross over to the other lane for any reason.
Don’t cut turns short or wide.
Use turn signals at all times.
Avoid hitting any curbs.
Remember to buckle your seatbelt.
You cannot move the automobile without a licensed driver in it. If you do, you will FAIL!
