The Arizona road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check whether you are eligible to take the road test.
• You can prepare a vehicle that passes the pre-test check.
• You can explain how the Arizona scoring system works.
• You can name the errors that cost the most points or cause an automatic fail.

What you need to know and understand

• Under-18 applicants must have held their permit for at least six months; adults need to have passed the written test.
• Road tests are by appointment, at an MVD office or an Authorized Third Party provider.
• The vehicle needs current registration, insurance and a license plate; 3-day permits are not accepted.
• The fuel tank must be at least a quarter full, and lights, signals, horn, mirrors, doors and seat belts must work.
• Driver-assistance features such as self-parking or auto-drive may not be used during the test.
• Errors are worth 10, 4 or 2 points (basic vehicle knowledge items 1 point), and 21 or more points means a fail.
• Dangerous actions, major traffic violations and refusing an instruction are automatic fails.

Before the drive

Bring your permit and proof of insurance and registration for the car. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must come with you. From June 1 to September 22, afternoon tests need a car with working air conditioning. The examiner checks that the vehicle is safe and that you can work its controls, and may ask you to show hand signals. If the vehicle fails the check, the test does not go ahead.

How the scoring works

The examiner marks errors as you drive and park. The most serious ordinary errors, such as not stopping fully at a sign or light, failing to yield and driving 5 to 9 mph over the limit, are worth 10 points each, so three of them alone mean a fail. Smaller errors, such as poor lane choice or parking too far from the curb, cost fewer points but still add up. Instructions are given in English.

• Full stops behind the line at every stop sign and red light.
• Correct yielding at intersections and crosswalks.
• Steady speed at or below the limit.
• Mirror and shoulder checks before every lane change.
• Parking neatly and close to the curb, without help from parking aids.

On test day

1. Arrive early with documents and a car you have checked yourself.
2. Adjust seat and mirrors and buckle up before moving.
3. Listen to each instruction and ask if you did not hear it.
4. Drive as you practiced, checking mirrors often and signaling early.
5. If you make a mistake, stay calm and keep driving safely.

Common mistakes

• Rolling stops. A stop is not complete until the car stops moving.
• Bringing a car with a dead brake light or no current registration.
• Letting the speed creep up a few mph on a straight road.
• Relying on parking sensors or self-park, which are not allowed.
• Forgetting shoulder checks before lane changes and when pulling away.

Test yourself: The Arizona road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Arizona Road Test
• Arizona 30-Hour Supervised Driving Log and Driver Ed Options
• Arizona Class G License Restrictions