🔙 Straight-line backing
California's drive test has no parallel parking. In its place you back the car up in a straight line for about three vehicle lengths, staying within three feet of the curb — and the examiner is grading control and observation, not speed. Idle pace is the correct pace here.
What the examiner is watching for
- ✓You turn and look through the rear window over your right shoulder while reversing
- ✓The car tracks straight and stays within about three feet of the curb
- ✓Speed stays at a slow, controlled crawl throughout
- ✓You stop smoothly and stay parallel — no drifting wide or clipping the curb
Step by step
- 1Stop parallel to the curb with your wheels straight, within about three feet of it.
- 2Shift into reverse, put your left hand on the wheel, and turn to look through the rear window over your right shoulder.
- 3Release the brake and let the car creep back at idle speed — don't add throttle.
- 4Make only small steering corrections; large inputs are what send the car wide.
- 5Continue for roughly three vehicle lengths while holding your distance from the curb.
- 6Brake gently to a full stop, shift to park, and face forward.
Mistakes that cost points
- ✗Watching the backup camera or mirrors instead of turning to look behind you
- ✗Backing too fast, which makes small steering errors compound quickly
- ✗Over-correcting and weaving away from the curb
- ✗Touching the curb or drifting well beyond three feet from it
The other 5 skills CA grades
FullPass is an independent study aid. Road-test guidance is written from official DMV test requirements; your examiner and the Department of Motor Vehicles remain the final authority.