The other day, one of our students here at Pierre Paul Driving School called in and asked, “I got 30 points on my road test. Does that mean I failed or passed the test?” Well, whether you fail or pass the road test, depends on the NYS road test scoring sheet.
During the NY road test, your examiner will use a score sheet to come up with a final score, which will determine whether you passed or failed the road test.
The NYS DMV Road Test Evaluation Sheet
Here’s the picture of the exact NYS road test scoring sheet your examiner will use:
As you can see, the score sheet has 31 possible mistakes that people can make during a driving test and the points they accumulate per mistake.
For every mistake, you may accumulate 5, 10, or 15 points. If you accumulate over 30 points, that’s a fail. However, if you get 30 points or less, that’s a pass.
We created a table with some handy tips to help you avoid each mistake, and do the right thing, so you don’t accumulate too many points and fail your road test.
Read this table to boost your confidence about passing the test and move one step closer to enjoying the driver’s seat.
The NYS Road Test Scoring Sheet and What To Do Not to Get Your Points Docked
| Section | Test Item | Points Deducted | What You Should Do to Pass Road Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. LEAVING CURB | 1. Fails to observe | 10 | Check the rearview and side mirror. Adjust them properly. |
| 2. Fails to signal | 5 | Check ahead and behind. Use signal to alert other drivers | |
| 3. Uses mirror only /Fails to check blind spot | 5 | Areas to the side of your car that you cannot see with side mirrors or rear mirrors are called blind spots. Shift your body and use a shoulder check. | |
| B. TURNING AND INTERSECTIONS | 4. Poor judgment approaching or intersections – Stopping – Turning – Observing Signal | 10 | – Monitor and adjust speed – Slow for a turn – Decelerate for a stop – Check other users, whether pedestrians or cyclists Attend to signals or signs |
| 5. Fails to stop near center of intersection when waiting to make left turn | 10 | Try to keep your wheels straight while waiting to make a left turn. If another vehicle hits you from behind, this ensures that you will not be pushed into oncoming traffic. | |
| 6. Turns wide – short right | 5 | – Slow down and stay as far to the right as possible. Begin the turn in the lane nearest to the right-hand curb and end the turn in the lane nearest the right-hand curb. – Give a turn signal. | |
| 7. Turns wide – short left | 5 | – Indicate the left turn signal before you make the turn and slow down. – Check both ways and make sure that the oncoming lanes are clear. – Do not enter into the right lane. | |
| 8. Inattentive to traffic – Signs – Signals – Lane markings | 10 | Remain attentive to all signs, signals and lane markings. | |
| C. PACKING, BACKING AND U-TURN | 9. Fails to signal | 5 | – Before changing lanes, ensure you signal what you intend to do, either with the signal lights or by arm signals. – Avoid getting pulled over and slapped with a traffic violation for failure to signal. |
| 10. Fails to adequately observe/use caution | 10 | Pay attention to other cars parked nearby, oncoming cars, your distance from the curb, pedestrians or other property that can distract you. This ensures safe parking, backing or making a u-turn. | |
| 11. Unable to park properly | 15 | Parking properly requires practice. Parking is a physical skill that no amount of advice will help you master. Do it over and over again. Go to the parking lot when nobody is there and do it between cones if you have to. Parking fears and anxiety disappears with time. | |
| 12. Unable to make a 3-point turn | 15 | This is rarely the problem. Be sure to move out of the driveways and observe correctly before making this turn. Read more on how to make a three-point turn correctly. | |
| 13. Excessive space for parking too far from the curb | 5 | Bring the wheels straight and then pull forward. Give room for vehicles behind and ahead. In your final position, ensure the wheels are not more than 30 cm or one foot from the curb. | |
| 14. Excessive maneuvers in 3-point turn | 5 | Familiarize yourself with the 3-point turn maneuvers and the proper positioning of your car. A practical lesson on 3 point turn with your instructor a few days to the road test NY will do. | |
| D. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC | 15. Fails to keep right | 10 | Failing to keep right when driving towards oncoming traffic is a motor vehicle violation in New York and many other states. Keep right |
| 16. Improper lane traffic | 10 | Here’s what you need to do when changing lanes: – Turn on the signal – Take a look at mirrors and check your blind spot – Change lanes – Turn off signal | |
| 17. Follows to closely | 10 | The space between you and the vehicle in front should be enough for another car to occupy. The NY DMV Driver’s Manual recommends leaving a space of 2 seconds between you and the next vehicle. | |
| 18. Speed excessive for Conditions: – Traffic – Weather – Road | 15 | Adjust your speed accordingly for weather, traffic, road, and visibility conditions | |
| 19. Driving too slowly | 15 | Stay within the speed limit. When in traffic, don’t drive too slowly as you may hinder traffic flow. | |
| 20. Fails to yield right of way: – Pedestrian – Other | 15 | Always yield the right of way when there are: – Emergency vehicles – Blind people – Pedestrians on marked or unmarked crosswalks – Entering an intersection with traffic backed up on the other side – You reach an intersection, approach another driver from the opposite side at the same time, and turn left, you must yield to the traffic that turns right or moves straight Here are more situations that require you to give the right of way. | |
| 21. Poor judgment in traffic | 10 | To improve your judgment in traffic: – Adjust your mirrors – Keep your eyes moving – Leave more space between you and the vehicle head – Get to know about the safety features of your car – Don’t be blinded by high beams – Cut out distractions like talking on phone or eating | |
| 22. When changing lanes, fails to: – observe – signal – use caution | 10 | Before changing lanes: – Look over your shoulder and check your blind spot – Observe to see a clear gap in traffic – Be alert to other drivers getting into the same lane – Signal | |
| 23. Fails to anticipate action of: Pedestrians Other | 10 | Constantly scan the road ahead and check the mirrors. Always know what’s happening: – ahead – behind – to the side The places and times to be extra careful include: – Rush hour – Parked cars – School children – At road works | |
| 24. Fails to anticipate potential hazards | 10 | Pay attention to: – Other drivers – Road signs and markings – Signals given by other drivers – The road condition and type – Animals – Pedestrians, especially young, old and the disabled | |
| E. VEHICLE CONTROL | 25. Repeated stalling | 10 | Stalling may occur due to a number of reasons, including clutch release problems, bad fuel pump, empty fuel tank, inadequate fuel mixture and dead battery, just to name a few. To avoid this mistake, get adequate supervised driving lessons before the test and ensure your car is in a good condition before the test. |
| 26. Poor engine control/deceleration | 10 | If your car is losing power it means the engine has not been properly serviced or parts, such as sensors and sparks are worn out. It’s time to service your car. Ensure your road test car is in perfect condition before you schedule the test. | |
| 27. Poor steering control: – Turning – Straight driving – Maneuvers | 15 | Hold your steering wheel at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock position to enable you to drive straight or make small maneuvers and small turns on the road. | |
| 28. Delayed braking/Abrupt braking | 10 | Start braking before your stopping position so you can keep things smooth and your New York examiner happy. | |
| 29. Poor use of gears: – Automatic – Manual | 10 | – Ensure you’re in the appropriate gear for every situation and adjust the gears to speed. – Don’t make rapid transitions when shifting gears as it may cause stalling and pressure the engine. – Take enough supervised driving practice before the test. | |
| 30. Poor clutch control | 5 | As you feel your car begin to move, start releasing the clutch slowly. Don’t do it suddenly because that would stall the car. Take more practical driving lessons with our instructors at Pierre Paul Driving School to master clutch control. | |
| 31. Poor reaction to emergencies. | 10 | Whenever you experience a driving emergency, the most important rule is do not panic. Here are different types of road emergencies and how to respond to them like a pro. |
To pass the road test on the first try, you need to learn how to drive under an experienced driving instructor. Check out our affordable driving lessons and enroll today to receive the best lessons from New York’s most qualified, patient and understanding instructors.