Preparing for the Nevada Driving Skills Test – Part I

In this post, we will discuss how to prepare for the Nevada driving skills test, also known as the “road test.” This is where the rubber meets the road–literally. This is the final portion of the Nevada driver’s test which, if passed successfully, will earn you the coveted Nevada driver’s license. If you are a Nevada teen driver, by now you should have obtained your Nevada instruction permit, passed your 30-hour driver’s ed course and have spent 50-hours behind the wheel being supervised by your parent or another licensed driver over the age of 21.

Inspect the Vehicle Before the Night Before Your Nevada Driving Test

The night before your driving test, you should be extremely familiar with the vehicle you’re going to be driving during the road test. At minimum, you should spend the night before the test making sure that the car is street legal and without any issues that could prevent you from taking the driver’s test. This typically involves a pre-test inspection. Understand that the Nevada DMV examiner that will be grading you, will conduct their own vehicle inspection prior to you hitting the road. If the vehicle you’re driving is not up to legal standards or is deemed unsafe in any way, you will be sent home without proceeding with the test.

To conduct a good pre-test inspection, you should make sure that all the vehicle lights work, including the brake lights, head light, reverse lights, hazards and the turn signals. You should also make sure that the horn works on the vehicle as the DMV examiner will want to see that it is operational. If any of these are not operational, the test will not proceed.

You should also make sure that you are familiar with all the buttons, levers and instruments in the vehicle. This includes the AC controls, windshield wipers, turn signals, emergency / parking brake, headlight switch, etc. Not knowing these can not only frustrate you and create a downward spiral, but it also can be the means for an automatic failure.

Before arriving to the Nevada DMV for your driving test, you should make sure that your windows and windshield are clean. They should also be free from cracks. It is illegal to drive in Nevada with a cracked windshield, as this is considered an obstruction to your view. A cracked windshield will prevent you from taking the Nevada driver’s test.

Cracked, low or excessively worn tires is another reason that the examiner can use for NOT allowing you to take the driving test. Be sure that there is adequate air pressure and tire tread on the vehicle you plan to use. Also, you should ensure that there is no excessive cracking on the outside of the tires, which is a common occurrence in Nevada’s dry climate.

Understand the Vehicle Controls Before Heading to the DMV

Be sure that you know how to adjust the side and rear view mirrors of the vehicle you will be driving. These should be adjusted just before you hit the road on the driving test so that you can show the examiner that you are a safe driver who always adjusts their mirrors before hitting the road. If you fumble around at the last minute, you show the Nevada DMV examiner that you’re not really as prepared for a Nevada license as you want them to believe.

Gather Up Your Nevada DMV Forms the Night Before

Last but certainly not least: make sure you have all your required paperwork ready to go the night before and place it by the front door so you don’t forget it. I can’t tell you how many times our students became so nervous that they showed up for the driving test appointment without the required paperwork. Don’t let this happen to you! Not only will you be extremely embarrassed, you will not be able to proceed with your road test and will likely have to wait weeks before you can come back.