Passing a driver’s test in the U.S. involves more than just knowing how to drive—a lot of people fail for reasons they didn’t even think could be a problem. These are things that don’t always come up during practice drives or in the handbook, but rather, are little things that happen during the test. Here are eleven shocking reasons some Americans fail driver’s tests. Whether or not you’ve passed your test, make sure you don’t do any of these things.
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They Bring the Wrong Car to the Test
The DMV doesn’t provide the car and you have to bring your own, which is where problems start for some people—if your car doesn’t pass a quick inspection, they’ll cancel the test. This could be because the brake lights don’t work, or there’s a big crack in the windshield. People also sometimes show up in rental cars without a handbrake or with temporary plates, which leads to a fail before they even get in the car.
They Forget to Release the Parking Brake
Some people get in the car & start the engine, then spend the next 30 seconds wondering why the car isn’t moving, which is because they forgot that the parking brake’s still on. They’ve already lost a few points by the time they figure it out—trying to drive with the brake still engaged could damage the car. Forgetting something that basic might seem impossible, but during a test, people’s nerves get the best of them and this mistake counts against them right away.
They Hit the Wipers Instead of the Turn Signal
During the test, you’re supposed to flick on your signal before a turn—but if someone’s borrowing a car they’ve barely used before, they might turn the wipers on by accident instead. It means the wipers start wiping without rain and there’s no blinker signaling their direction, so the examiner’s unimpressed. Examiners could mark it as a failure to signal and such a mistake could end the whole test early.
They Drive Too Slow
Every driver knows they’re not supposed to race, yet crawling along like you’re terrified doesn’t work either, no matter if you’re going slower “just to be safe.” Examiners see that as hesitating or not knowing how to keep up with traffic because if the sign says 35, you shouldn’t be going 20 for no reason. It makes it harder for others on the road and shows the examiner you’re not fully confident behind the wheel.
They Forget to Shift Into Park
Parallel parking is already a pain, so when someone does it well, their brain kind of shuts down from relief and they turn off the car—but forget to shift into park first. Some cars won’t let you remove the key while others will, meaning the car sits there in neutral. Such a ‘small’ mistake is one that examiners take seriously because the car could roll, which is a big safety issue.
They Don’t Adjust the Mirrors at All
Before you drive off, you’re supposed to check & adjust all the mirrors, which is easy to do but even easier to forget—most people just buckle up and go. Incorrectly aligned mirrors stop you from seeing what’s happening around you and that’s why examiners expect you to get the car ready before moving. They don’t want you to just drive like you’ve already been on the road all morning and checking your mirrors takes ten seconds.
They Rely on Backup Cameras Only
Of course, backup cameras make reversing easier, sure, but they’re not enough during a driving test because you’re required to turn your head. It doesn’t matter how smooth the reverse is because if you don’t physically check your surroundings, you could lose points. Many states have rules stating that examiners won’t count it as a proper check unless you do both. The rule hasn’t changed just because newer cars come with screens.
They Don’t Recognize School Zones
School zones aren’t just for when school’s in session or kids are out front and if the sign says 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., you need to slow down. Some new drivers think it’s only a rule if they see children nearby—it’s not, and going over the reduced limit during school hours could cause serious problems. Don’t ignore the sign just because the area looks quiet, as doing so means you’re probably not making it to the end of the route.
They Ignore Construction Signs During the Test
Likewise, you still have to follow the signs in a construction zone, even if it looks like nobody’s working. Some people miss temporary speed limits or drive straight through areas clearly marked off with cones because they’re not paying attention to their surroundings. Such a mistake is one of the fastest ways to fail, especially on busier routes.
They Don’t Bring the Right Documents
On test day, you’ve probably practiced & you’re ready—but your paperwork is sitting on the kitchen table, so you have no permit or proof of insurance when you show up to take the test. Some people also don’t realize their insurance card has expired, or they borrow a car that’s not properly registered. DMV staff won’t take your word for it and they definitely won’t let you drive without the correct documents.
They Talk Too Much to the Examiner
A quick “hey, how’s it going?” is fine, yet some people won’t stop talking once they get rolling, and they narrate what they’re doing or share random stories. Meanwhile, they’ve missed turns & signals because they’ve forgotten the examiner’s not there to hang out. Talking too much makes it look like you’re not paying attention and that could absolutely hurt your chances of passing.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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