You fail with 31 points or more. You pass with 30 points or fewer. There’s no minimum score to earn, since the sheet only counts points against you, not for you. A perfect drive is 0 points. Parallel parking can cost up to 15 points if you can’t park the car properly, the single highest deduction on the sheet outside of a few other 15-point items. Some actions cause an automatic fail no matter what your point total is, covered further down.
How Many Points Do You Need to Pass the NY Road Test?
30 points or fewer. That’s the whole rule. The DMV examiner starts you at zero and only adds points as you make mistakes, so there’s no score to chase, only a ceiling to stay under. Most students who pass finish somewhere between 5 and 20 points, since small errors like a missed mirror check are common even on a clean run. Cross 30 and the test is over.
Also Known As: Score Sheet, Rubric, Grading Sheet, Evaluation Sheet
This document goes by a few different names depending on who’s talking about it. DMV paperwork calls it the road test evaluation sheet or evaluation form. Instructors and students call it the scoring sheet, score sheet, point sheet, rubric, or grading sheet. They’re all the same 31-item form covered in full below.
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?” The answer is that 30 points is a pass, just barely, since the fail line sits at 31. Whether you fail or pass comes down entirely to this scoring sheet.
During the NY road test, your examiner uses this sheet to arrive at a final score, which determines whether you passed or failed.
The NYS DMV Road Test Evaluation Sheet
Here’s the exact scoring sheet your examiner will use during the test:
Below is a breakdown of all 31 test items, organized by section, along with what to do to avoid losing points on each one.
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. |
FAQ: NYS Road Test Scoring
How many points is parallel parking worth in NY?
On the DMV road test scoring sheet, parking is graded under Section C, “Parking, Backing and U-Turn.” The item “unable to park properly” (which covers parallel parking) costs 15 points, the highest single deduction in that section. Related parking errors carry their own separate point values: failing to signal before parking is 5 points, failing to observe or use caution is 10 points, and parking too far from the curb is 5 points. A single 15-point parking miss will not fail you on its own since the fail line is 31 points, but paired with even one other 15-point item (like poor steering control) it will.
How many points to fail the road test in NY?
31 points or more is an automatic fail. The DMV score sheet lists 31 possible test items across five sections (leaving the curb, turning and intersections, parking/backing/U-turn, driving in traffic, and vehicle control), each worth 5, 10, or 15 points. Every mistake the examiner marks adds to your running total. Separately, certain dangerous actions, such as the examiner needing to take the wheel or brake to prevent a collision, can end the test in an automatic fail regardless of your point total. Our related breakdown on automatic fail actions covers those in detail.
How many points do you need to pass the driving test?
You pass by staying at 30 points or fewer. There is no minimum score to earn, no bonus points, and no partial credit; the scoring sheet only tracks deductions. A perfect drive is 0 points. Most students who pass land somewhere between 5 and 20 points, since small errors (a missed mirror check, a slightly wide turn) are common even on a passing run.
What is the passing score on the NY road test?
30 points or fewer. The DMV doesn’t publish a separate “passing score” to aim for, since the sheet works in reverse: you start at a perfect 0 and lose points as you go. Passing just means your total stays at 30 or under when the drive ends.
What is the point system for the NYS road test?
The examiner marks deductions across 31 test items in five sections: leaving the curb, turning and intersections, parking/backing/U-turn, driving in traffic, and vehicle control. Each item is worth 5, 10, or 15 points depending on how serious the mistake is. Add up every deduction, and if the total hits 31 or more, the test is a fail.
How many mistakes are allowed on the driving test in NY?
There is no fixed number of mistakes allowed, since the test is scored by points, not by mistake count. Two 15-point errors add up to 30 points and still pass. Four 10-point errors add up to 40 points and fail. This is why examiners and instructors both focus less on “how many things went wrong” and more on which specific items were missed, since a single high-value mistake (parking, steering control, poor judgment in traffic) can outweigh several small ones.
How many points can you miss on a driving test?
Up to 30 points and you still pass. At 31 points the test is a fail. Think of 30 as the ceiling, not a target. Aim to keep your running total well under that by locking down the highest-value items on the sheet first: parking (15 points), 3-point turns (15 points), steering control (15 points), speed for conditions (15 points), and yielding right of way (15 points).
How to pass the NY road test?
Passing comes down to controlling the items worth the most points, since those are the ones that turn a shaky drive into a failing one:
- Master parking and the 3-point turn first. These are the two 15-point maneuvers most students lose points on, and both improve with repetition, not just advice. Practice in an empty lot with cones before test day.
- Check mirrors and blind spots at every transition, leaving the curb, changing lanes, turning, backing. Several 5- and 10-point deductions on the sheet come from skipping this step.
- Keep speed matched to conditions, not just the posted limit. Driving too slowly costs the same 15 points as driving too fast for conditions.
- Leave a 2-second gap behind the car ahead, per the NY DMV Driver’s Manual, to avoid the 10-point following-too-closely deduction.
- Avoid the automatic-fail actions entirely, since these end the test regardless of your point count.
- Take road test prep with an instructor in the days before your test so the score sheet items become muscle memory rather than a checklist you’re thinking through mid-turn.
See our full road test prep lessons or the scoring breakdown above for the complete list of graded items.
To pass the road test on the first try, you must learn to drive under an experienced 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.
If you haven’t enrolled in our online 5-hour class, you should do that before the road test. Learn more about this class here.