How I Passed DMV Behind The Wheel In California After Failing 3 Attempts

It took me 4 attempts to clear DMV behind the wheel in California. Here are details of test centers for written exam and driving exam.

Written test center: Department of Motor Vehicles Santa Ana, 1330 E First St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Behind-the-wheel driving test center: Department of Motor Vehicles  Laghuna Hills, 23535 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Laghuna Hills DMV Driving Test Route:

First attempt: After clearing written exam, I booked an appointment for behind-the-wheel driving test.  I took 2 training classes 1 hour each in Toyota Corolla. Then, I rented Cheverlot Cruze over a weekend from Enterprise and did practice. I had confidence that I will clear the exam. I had the exam on Monday. 

A weekend before, I went to Enterprise to rent a car for Sat, Sun, and Mon. This time they said no. When I asked the reason, they said that I have learning license. They can rent a car on permanent driving license only. When I told them that a few days back I got the car on same learning license then they said, it was a mistake. If you have any permanent driving license then we can give a car to you even if you have that license from another country. By mistake, I had left my Indian 4-wheeler driving license in India during my last visit. So I had no option, I came back to home. 

Then, I called driving instructor and asked him if he is available during my appointment time to come with me with his car so that I can use his car for driving test. He said yes. I took one more class from him for 1 hour just before my appointment time. Then, I was ready for the test. Examiner joined me in the car and started giving me directions to go. I completed the track and felt that I did a good job. When he calculated my mistakes, it counted 16. All those were minor mistakes, nothing critical. He said 15 minor mistakes are allowed, you did 1 extra. Try next time.

Second attempt: I was sure that I'll not get a car on rent so I didn't try again. I called same driving instructor and practiced one hour before my appointment time and gave the test. This time the moment I came out from the parking of DMV office, I had to take a right turn. The steering turned more towards the right side and it was about to hit the curb. I controlled. Examiner had to interfere. He marked it as a critical mistake and asked me to take U-turn from next red light. I failed the exam.

Third attempt: This time my confidence was low. So I took two hours class on weekend and one hour before my appointment time and gave the test. This time I completed more than half a track then I found a car going left side of me. That road was of 45 miles/hr speed limit. I had to take a left turn after some time. I slowed down waiting for that car to pass so that I can move into left lane. But that car also got slowed down with me. It was awkward. 

Examiner asked me why you slowed down. I said I wanted that car to pass. He said it is 45 miles/hr track, you can not slow down to change lane. He asked me to take back to DMV office instead of taking a left turn. He marked it as a critical mistake, saying I was driving at 30 miles/hr on 45 miles/hr road. I failed.

In all 3 attempts, I went to same DMV center but I got different examiner every time.

My confidence reached to bottom after this. I had a plan to travel India for a month so I decided to take a break for a month and try after coming back from India. I booked my written test appointment date immediately after my return date to USA. If you fail behind-the-wheel driving test 3 times then you need to give written test again. I had a car in India so I drove that for a month almost every day. I came back USA with my 4-wheeler Indian driving license.

Fourth attempt: I passed my written test. Now, I could rent a car. My friend advised me to book behind-the-wheel on any available Monday so that I could rent a car on Saturday and keep it till Monday (exam day). 

The point is: Give exam with the same car which you are using for practice. I booked my behind-the-wheel appointment on Monday. I rented a car from Saturday to Monday. I drove it whole Saturday and Sunday to different places with my friend. I practiced on DMV track as well. I got my confidence back. 

On appointment day, nobody was available to go with me. Somebody (having a permanent driving license) has to sit with you if you have learning permit. After asking so many people, one of my friends agreed to come with me. I thought to reach little early so that I can do practice on same track once though I had driven on Sunday evening. But my friend had meeting in the office. So we started 30 minutes before my appointment time. We reached 15 minutes late there. I got the same examiner who failed me in my 2nd attempt. I got little worried but I completed track 1st time after last 2 attempts. 

I passed the exam with 3 minor mistakes this time. Examiner congratulated me.