DMV accelerating no-contact road tests for young drivers
After months of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the state Division of Motor Vehicles is ramping up a new way of conducting road tests for young drivers.
Posted — UpdatedRather than have DMV staff in the car with a driver trying to negotiate traffic and parallel park, the agency has developed a no-contact "road test" that takes place in parking lots. The DMV staffer stays outside the vehicle, giving the driver directions to follow, and the parking lot is set up with traffic signs the driver must navigate.
"I was a lot more nervous about this one because I didn’t know what it would be like. It was definitely different than what I expected it to be," said Matthew Stutts, who passed his road test on Monday. "They had me do a three-point turn. Then, they had me back up in a straight line and then do a safety stop."
"The only difference is it’s a much shorter test than what a road test would be, and they’re not out in regular traffic," DMV spokesman Steve Abbott said.
Abbott said the agency recently doubled the number of instructors and locations for the new test. He said he expects to see higher demand for the road tests as more schools reopen.
"People have to have patience. You’re not going to call or contact us on Monday and get a test Tuesday," he said. "Depending on the location, it could be a week to four weeks."
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