ROAD SKILLS PREPARATION & EVALUATION

The Road Test is the final portion of the Texas DPS CDL Skills Test. Applicants must demonstrate that they can safely control a commercial motor vehicle while operating in actual traffic and roadway conditions.

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Get Your CDL Quick offers individually available Road Skills Preparation & Evaluation for applicants who want additional hands-on driving experience before taking their Texas DPS CDL Skills Test.

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Road skills practice is conducted using an appropriate commercial motor vehicle and may include a variety of roadway and traffic situations similar to the types of driving conditions identified in the current Texas Commercial Driver Handbook.

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WHAT DOES TEXAS DPS EVALUATE DURING THE ROAD TEST?

During the Texas DPS CDL Road Test, the examiner evaluates the applicant's ability to safely operate the commercial vehicle while following traffic laws, responding appropriately to roadway conditions, and maintaining proper control of the vehicle.

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Depending on the test route, vehicle, transmission, and available roadway conditions, applicants may be evaluated on areas including:

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VEHICLE START & MOVEMENT

Applicants should demonstrate safe procedures when preparing to move the commercial vehicle.

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Preparation and evaluation may include:

• Seat belt use

• Mirror checks

• Awareness of surrounding traffic

• Proper use of turn signals

• Smooth vehicle movement

• Safe acceleration

• Proper vehicle positioning

• Maintaining control of the commercial vehicle from the beginning of the drive

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SPEED CONTROL

Proper speed management is critical when operating a commercial motor vehicle.

Applicants may practice:

• Maintaining an appropriate speed for traffic and roadway conditions

• Observing posted speed limits

• Adjusting speed before curves and turns

• Reducing speed appropriately when approaching intersections

• Maintaining safe speed in changing traffic conditions

• Smooth acceleration and deceleration

• Avoiding unnecessary or abrupt braking

• Maintaining control while traveling downhill or uphill when applicable

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The applicant is expected to demonstrate that speed is being actively managed rather than simply following the vehicle ahead.

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TRAFFIC SCANNING & MIRROR AWARENESS

Commercial drivers must continually monitor the roadway and surrounding traffic.

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Preparation may focus on:

• Looking well ahead

• Checking mirrors regularly

• Monitoring traffic on both sides of the vehicle

• Recognizing developing hazards

• Watching vehicle position within the lane

• Monitoring the trailer during turns when applicable

• Identifying changing traffic conditions

• Maintaining awareness of vehicles, pedestrians, and roadway hazards

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Applicants should demonstrate active observation throughout the road portion of the CDL Skills Test.

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INTERSECTIONS

Texas DPS may evaluate the applicant's performance while approaching, entering, and traveling through intersections.

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Preparation may include:

• Scanning traffic in all directions

• Reducing speed smoothly

• Recognizing traffic signals and signs

• Maintaining appropriate following distance

• Observing right-of-way requirements

• Positioning the commercial vehicle appropriately

• Clearing the intersection safely

• Avoiding unnecessary stops within the intersection

• Maintaining awareness of pedestrians and other vehicles

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LEFT & RIGHT TURNS

Turning a commercial motor vehicle requires proper positioning, speed control, mirror awareness, and an understanding of the vehicle's turning characteristics.

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Applicants may practice:

• Signaling appropriately

• Checking mirrors before and during turns

• Selecting the appropriate lane

• Reducing speed before entering the turn

• Controlling vehicle position throughout the turn

• Monitoring trailer tracking when applicable

• Avoiding curbs and roadway boundaries

• Preventing the vehicle from entering opposing traffic

• Completing the turn in the appropriate lane

• Canceling the turn signal when necessary

• Returning safely to the normal flow of traffic

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LANE MANAGEMENT

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to properly position the commercial vehicle within the roadway.

Preparation may include:

• Maintaining appropriate lane position

• Avoiding unnecessary lane drifting

• Understanding the width of the commercial vehicle

• Monitoring both sides of the vehicle

• Keeping appropriate clearance from curbs and other vehicles

• Selecting the proper lane for turns

• Maintaining control on single-lane and multi-lane roadways

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LANE CHANGES

Safe lane changes require planning and awareness.

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Applicants may practice:

• Checking traffic conditions

• Checking mirrors

• Activating the appropriate turn signal

• Determining whether sufficient space is available

• Maintaining vehicle speed and control

• Moving smoothly into the new lane

• Rechecking mirrors after completing the maneuver

• Canceling the turn signal when appropriate

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MERGING

When the test route includes merging situations, applicants may be evaluated on their ability to safely enter the traffic flow.

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Preparation may include:

• Checking mirrors and surrounding traffic

• Using turn signals

• Selecting an appropriate opening

• Adjusting vehicle speed

• Maintaining control while entering traffic

• Establishing proper lane position after the merge

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EXPRESSWAY & HIGHWAY DRIVING

When available on the test route, applicants may be evaluated while operating on an expressway, highway, or other higher-speed roadway.

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Preparation may include:

• Entering the roadway safely

• Acceleration and merging

• Maintaining appropriate speed

• Maintaining adequate following distance

• Lane positioning

• Mirror scanning

• Recognizing changing traffic conditions

• Safe lane changes

• Preparing for and safely completing exits

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RIGHT-OF-WAY

Applicants are expected to demonstrate an understanding of right-of-way rules throughout the road test.

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This may include:

• Intersections

• Stop signs

• Traffic signals

• Turns

• Merging traffic

• Pedestrians

• Other vehicles

• Railroad crossings

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The applicant should demonstrate patience and sound judgment rather than forcing the commercial vehicle into an unsafe situation.

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TRAFFIC SIGNS & SIGNALS

Applicants should recognize and appropriately respond to traffic-control devices encountered during the test.

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This includes:

• Stop signs

• Yield signs

• Speed limit signs

• Traffic signals

• Warning signs

• Lane-control signs

• Railroad crossing signs and signals

• Other applicable traffic-control devices

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RAILROAD CROSSINGS

When a railroad crossing is included or simulated as part of the test, applicants may be evaluated on the applicable procedures for safely approaching and crossing railroad tracks.

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Applicants should understand that additional requirements may apply to certain commercial vehicles, including passenger buses and vehicles transporting specified hazardous materials.

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CURVES

Applicants may be evaluated on their ability to safely negotiate curves while maintaining proper speed and vehicle position.

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Preparation may focus on:

• Reducing speed before entering the curve

• Maintaining proper lane position

• Avoiding unnecessary braking during the curve

• Monitoring the vehicle and trailer position

• Smoothly returning to appropriate roadway speed after the curve

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ROADSIDE STOP & START

The examiner may evaluate the applicant's ability to safely pull the commercial vehicle to the side of the roadway and re-enter traffic.

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Preparation may include:

• Selecting an appropriate stopping location

• Signaling

• Checking mirrors

• Positioning the vehicle safely

• Bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop

• Preparing to re-enter traffic

• Checking mirrors and traffic

• Signaling

• Accelerating appropriately and safely returning to the roadway

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SHIFTING — WHEN APPLICABLE

For applicants testing in vehicles requiring manual gear changes, the examiner may evaluate applicable upshifting and downshifting procedures.

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Applicants should demonstrate smooth vehicle control and appropriate gear selection while maintaining attention to traffic and roadway conditions.

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Testing in certain vehicle configurations or transmissions may result in applicable CDL restrictions.

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DEFENSIVE DRIVING & HAZARD AWARENESS

Safe commercial vehicle operation requires more than completing individual maneuvers.

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Road Skills Preparation & Evaluation may also focus on:

• Maintaining appropriate following distance

• Recognizing potential hazards early

• Anticipating the actions of other motorists

• Maintaining adequate space around the commercial vehicle

• Adjusting to changing traffic conditions

• Safe decision-making

• Mirror awareness

• Proper speed selection

• Avoiding distractions

• Maintaining control under normal roadway conditions

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UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE DPS EXAMINER EVALUATES

Our goal is to help applicants become familiar with the skills and safe-driving behaviors identified in the current Texas DPS CDL testing materials and provide an opportunity to practice those skills with an appropriate commercial vehicle.

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Texas DPS examiners determine the test route, instructions, scoring, and final examination result.

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Applicants are expected to follow the examiner's directions and operate the vehicle safely and legally throughout the examination.

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A crash, dangerous maneuver, serious traffic violation, or other disqualifying action can result in termination or failure of the Road Test.

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PRACTICE BEFORE YOUR TEXAS DPS ROAD TEST

Get Your CDL Quick offers individually available Road Skills Preparation & Evaluation for applicants who want additional hands-on driving time before their scheduled Texas DPS CDL Skills Test.

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The goal is to help you become more comfortable with the commercial vehicle, understand the types of driving behaviors Texas DPS evaluates, identify areas that may need additional practice, and make productive use of your time behind the wheel.

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Texas DPS determines all official testing procedures, routes, scoring standards, and examination results. Completion of Road Skills Preparation & Evaluation does not guarantee a passing score on the Texas DPS CDL Skills Test.

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