If your test administrator asks you to change lanes, make sure that it is safe first. Only change lanes when you are absolutely certain that it is safe.Always look over your shoulder before changing lanes and be sure to use your blinker.Do not cross solid lines as this will result in an instant and automatic fail.As a general rule, you should be able to see the tires of the car in front of you. Don’t stop too closely to the vehicle in front of you when you need to come to a stop.Follow at a safe distance - use the 3 second rule.Hold onto the steering wheel with both hands at all times. Drive the speed limit and maintain a constant speed.Whether it's schoolwork or other things happening in your life, it needs to be temporarily put to the back of your mind. Leave everything else at the door, and give your full attention to the task at hand.

Paying attention to the road, and what's happening around you is the best way to ensure that whatever the examiner is writing down is positive – and you can read all of that once your test is over anyway.

Trying to sneak a peek at what they're writing down or their facial expressions is not a good idea, if you're hoping to walk out of there a licensed driver. It sounds obvious enough, but it's easy to get distracted by what the evaluator is doing. Only getting out to drive on beautiful, sunny days will only work against you if your test lands on a rainy, overcast day. The only true way to do this is get in those hours of practice driving, and trying to do so in a variety of weather conditions. Whether it's weather conditions, an ambulance coming down the road or any other situation that could happen, you should be mentally prepared to adapt and adjust accordingly. There are things you'll learn while driving that you just can't get from reading, so it's important to log plenty of time at the wheel. Like anything else, learning how to be a good driver takes lots of time behind the wheel practicing. The way each car's brake and gas pedals react can be different, so knowing how sensitive these are can help you avoid braking or accelerating too aggressively or too slowly.

You'll want to know where the controls are for everything from the lights to the windshield wipers, so you aren't frantically searching if it starts raining. The car you're using for your test should be familiar to you, and not one that you're sitting in for the first time.

California driver test practice