Update Apr 5, 2011: This is the most popular post on my blog. I know why you’re here. If you want to skip my rambling intro, just skip to the route!
If you find the info useful (or not), please share your experiences in the comments below. Good luck, test-takers!
Today has seen yet another milestone in my California adventure – namely my behind the wheel driving test.
As I have been fortunate enough to drive alone while I practice (due to my holding a UK licence), I have had plenty of opportunity to get out there on the mean streets of Fullerton. Also, a car and freedom allowed me to unashamedly stake out and stalk the DMV examiners over the past couple of weeks. I will do anything to get an edge and know no shame. In fact I became so familiar with the Fullerton DMV test route I actually knew it better than my examiner on the test day.
I’ll admit I was nervous about taking the test – I had the test mentality that one develops while learning to drive in the UK (i.e. it’s very thorough). However, due to my stalking and practice practice practice, I got through it in one piece and with only two minor errors (one of which I feel was NOT an error – clearly I was being more observant than my examiner).
Anyhoo, to reassure any Californians doing the Fullerton DMV test, let me tell you it is actually easy compared to the UK. I hear they’ve made it ‘tough’ recently and everyone’s whining about how hard it is. Well, sorry to upset you but it’s not. It was over in about 15 minutes and involved driving around mostly quiet residential streets. I had to reverse along the curb a bit, which was the extent of anything that could be remotely described as ‘difficult’.
In the UK your test would be at least twice as long and you have a number of maneuvers to undertake, which may include: parallel parking, reversing around a corner, change in direction (using forward and reverse gears), and emergency stop (no skidding). Also, each test centre has a variety of test routes, not just the one like I experienced at the DMV in Fullerton. You see, if you have only one test route, sly scamps like me easily work it out and ace the test. Duh.
So, here it is for all you wannabe drivers. Fullerton DMV test route:
- Leave DMV by turning right on to Valencia
- Cross over Euclid, continue on Valencia
- Left on to Basque
- Left on to Ash (this is where I had to pull-over and reverse along the curb. Alternatively it may be on Oak)
- Right on to Lee
- Right on to Oak
- Right on to Basque
- Left on to West
- Over Eadington
- Left on to Pacific
- Left on to Oak
- Over Eadington
- Right on to Basque
- Over Orangethorpe
- Right on to Woodcrest
- Right on to Eadington
- Right on to Orangethorpe (this is where I had to perform a lane change)
- Left on to Euclid
- Right on to Valencia
- Left into DMV
There you go, piece of cake. For those of you concerned that it is harder to pass at Fullerton DMV than other offices, I will say that if you can drive and have practiced until you are sick of driving around those streets, then you will pass. It may well be harder, but it’s still a lot easier than other countries.
Believe me, a lot of stupid people drive in the UK and they passed the ‘tough’ test. If they can do it, you can pass California’s. Anyway, if you can’t pass at Fullerton or another California DMV, you shouldn’t be driving, right?
Subscribe by RSS
Haha, thanks for this. We’ll see how it turns out, come test day.
Oh man! thanks so much! my behind the wheel test is coming on 24th and im going to take it on Fullerton.. I think I’ll pass.
thaaaankkss!!
[...] project. A shot-in-the-dark email appeared in my inbox from someone who had read my post on my driving test at Fullerton DMV. They were due to take their behind the wheel test that very day and were in a bit of a tizz [...]
this was the route for my drive test! except there was another route used for the person in front of me- do you know what that route is?
Hi Elizabeth! Hope you passed! From what I could gather, there is a shorter route for “re-tests” that follows the route on steps 1 – 7, but instead of turning left on to West, carries on back to Valencia, turns right and back to the DMV!
There is also a longer route for those requiring more scrutiny. Just before the end, instead of turning left onto Euclid, it goes right then on to the 91 Freeway for one exit. Then I assume it’s back to the DMV.
Thank you very much for this. We checked it out after our teen failed. The majority of examiners do take this route and it was the one from our teen’s test.However, we have seen some also go north on Euclid at the start and then return to complete this route. Contrary to the DMV website stating they are not trying to “trick you,” part of the catch of this route is one spends the first 1/2 of the test on the side which is all 25mph with stop signs on the tester’s direction and no stop signs on the opposing traffic. Then after crossing Orangethorpe, it is still residential but no stop signs in any of the 4 directions but same speed limit. Then two quirky intersections w/stop signs with the limit line being in a position where one would block the other vehicle making a stop. Then onto the main drag where one has to suddenly kick it up to 40 mph, and then slow it down as one makes the left turn to head back to the DMV. This turn is where the examiner gave our teen about 1-1/2 car lengths of an announcement as to needing to make the turn(and this is driving a large vehicle, not a sedan). Warning: Back at the DMV lot, the examiner marked our teen down for not making a move that the Fullerton PD would have ticketed for. Our teen does realize the contributing factors that they did to cause the other mark downs and will practice this route, but not making an illegal move in the DMV lot should not have been counted off. So, beware and be smart.
Our teen appreciates this route posting. However, you state you “knew it better than the examiner.” Didn’t this make him/her suspicious as they saw your ease? Or were you just careful not to turn, etc. before they said to do so? Any suggestions for helping it not look like one’s been practicing there? Thanks.
Well, I knew the route better in my head. You need to listen to the examiner’s instructions and follow them as if you didnt know any better. On my test he took us the wrong way but I went along with it until he realized and got us back on track.
Of course, the route above may be subject to change so don’t take it as gospel.
Dear Englishman,
Again, thank you so much for this wonderful advice. Our teen has been practicing & practicing and wonders of wonders, took their second go of the test. It was the exact one as you posted, the same as their first test! Our teen did their best at not giving it away and anticipating the next direction……and passed with few errors. We also had our teen drive to the DMV so their “head was in the game” and it helped to get a few of the nerves out. We would like to add that first thing in the morning when they open is the way to go; little wait and happy camper employees at the DMV…they were all so friendly, smiles and all!
[...] California driver’s license photocard from the DMV. It’s been nearly six months since I passed my test at Fullerton DMV, and I’m still waiting patiently. When I say patiently, I am actually starting to lose my [...]
As it is sometimes subjected to rerouting, you must also try to practice other alternatives for a more precise chance of passing the test. Practicing will make you familiar with the turns and of course will prevent you from being a nerve wrecking one. Staying as calm as possible and being obedient with the instructor, can’t push you to go the wrong way.
[...] my driver license photocard. Bloody hell. This sorry tale began back in November 2009 when I passed my California driving test. Then the wait began, which saw me losing my patience and starting a letter campaign. My final [...]
Thank you so much for this advice! I am taking my driving test soon, and I have heard horrid things about the pass rate for the Fullerton DMV. It sounds reasonable enough, but I’m still worried. I wonder, though, could you tell me where on this route you were asked to parallel park and back up along the curb? Again, thank you for all of your advice.
@Lizzi
You just need to pull up at the curb, not parallel park. It was fairly soon on the test for me – on Ash. I’ve seen it done on Oak too, so it’s around there… assuming the route hasn’t been changed since November.
I’ve just moved from London, UK to Fullerton, and have to sit driving test soon. Hope to here the familiar accent here~
Hello, We searched for this web site upon Bing and wished to state just excellent read. We would have to trust it, thanks once again!
While we’re discussing the matter of
Fullerton DMV driving test route | Musings of an expat Brit in Orange County, California , Collector’s item cars are hard to find. The older and more unique they are, the harder it becomes to look for them. These are generally found in special garages that have alarms and armed guards where the temperature and humidity are specifically controlled to protect these collector’s items.
I take my driving test at the Fullerton DMV tomorrow morning and I found this site and I practiced driving this route. I hope it’s still the same route and thanks for posting this up.
dude your the sh*t! thanks haha
i take my test in about a week at fullerton…do you know if they still use this same route cause i am gonna go practice out there before the test
My fiancée took the test a month ago at the beginning of March and the route was exactly the same. Thank you so much for your help!
hey dude, m giving the test tomorrow. Hope it’ll be useful. Thanks!! I’ll let the site know about it in case.
Just took the driving test and I passed! Took this same exact route and was asked to pull over on Oak and reverse along the curb. Once on Orangethorpe, I was asked to make lane changes. Thank you so much! Good thing I found this post and practiced yesterday, it helped a lot!
As of May 11, 2011, the above-mentioned route is accurate information. Make note of the black tire marks on the curb, both Ash and Oak, this is where the curb parking and backing portion of the test accrue.
Thank you so much! Do you remember where you had to stop when you reached the weird intersection at Basque/Orangethorpe (did you have to stop twice – both at the intersection without the traffic light and at the intersection with the traffic light, in the latter of which you would be blocking traffic coming from both sides)? Sorry if my question seems a bit confusing, haha.
If you need to practice driving this route to pass a driving test, then you should not be driving because that shows that you are not capable of driving outside of your “comfort zone.” Driving is driving in any area, you just need to pay attention, it’s common sense. You should really consider purchasing a bus pass for the rest of your life if you have to use this to cheat a driving test
@Concerned Driver
You say cheating, I say giving yourself a fair shot at it.
Would you say practicing football or revising for an exam is cheating too?
@ Englishman – you cannot compare a driving test to a football game or an exam. This is cheating your life’s safety! If you are not confident driving outside of this route or in this route, then you should not sit behind a wheel. It’s ridiculous. People’s lives are in jeopardy when you don’t know how to drive. Driving is a privilege, not a right .. this privilege can easily be revoked if you put others in jeopardy with careless driving.
@concerned driver
There’s nothing wrong with practice. TBH, driver testing is a joke here anyway. If the DMV cared that much the test would be tough and they wouldn’t use the SAME ROUTE FOR YEARS.
If you know the route you still have to actually drive it with all the associated behavior that requires. People can and do fail even if they know the route.
I agree driving is a privilege. Drink driving, texting and talking on the phone all piss me off. A few people practicing a driving test route are the least of our worries as far as danger on the road is concerned.
I’m taking my test on august 10 and i wanted to ask if the route that says here is still accurate?
Taking my test in a few days just wanted to know if the route is still accurate?
Thanks
As of august 24,2011 the route is still accurate
just took my test and it’s the same route 
You understand thus significantly with regards to this subject, made me in my view believe it from so many varied angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated unless it is something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. At all times care for it up!
The uncharted Zune browser is surprisingly fit, but not as high-mindedness as the iPod’s. It works sufficiently, but isn’t as firm as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you sporadically scheme on using the net browser that’s not an matter, but if you’re planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod’s larger screen and safer browser may be important.