Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions

Posted : admin | On 16-08-2021

Parking test: Before going out on the road, you will be required to pass a parking test. Successful completion of a three-point turn is required at all MVD offices that offer road tests, with the exception of Coolidge, Holbrook, Nogales, Payson, Show Low, Tempe and Winslow, which require parallel parking. Where to test or apply for a driver’s license A WV resident can apply for a WV instruction permit, driver’s license, or identification card at any DMV regional office. It can be intimidating for sure, but with some helpful tips and lots of practice, you can be a parallel parking pro. As part of the non-commercial driver's license road test, drivers must park their vehicle midway between two uprights in a space that is 24 feet long and eight feet wide.


This video is meant to be an example of the closed course testing environment and does not show the actual test. The actual test is NOT based on the content of this video and may include components not seen in the video. Drivers will be tested on skills and knowledge as listed in the Rhode Island Driving Manual .

Important Information Regarding Closed Course Testing

In accordance with Rhode Island General Law, prior to issuance of a first license, residents are required to pass a skills test aka “road test” in order to demonstrate that they have acquired the skills necessary to be deemed a safe driver. These tests are normally proctored by means of a motor vehicle operator examiner (MVOE) accompanying an applicant in a vehicle and directing them through a predefined route and set of maneuvers.

With the outbreak of the COVID19 pandemic in mid-March of 2020, being confined in a vehicle, for an extended period, with numerous individuals presents health concerns for the applicants and examiners.

The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, Road Test Office has developed this modified testing process based on the following key pillars:

  • Customer and employee safety;
  • Restoration of services to citizens in the safest manner possible

Closed Course Testing Guide

Beginning in June of 2020 DMV examiners will be proctoring non-commercial skills tests on a closed course and from outside the vehicle. This testing process will consist of four segments that have been prescribed for license applicants to demonstrate that they possess the basic core skills to be deemed a safe driver.

The Closed Course Testing Guide contains information intended to help license applicants prepare for the skills test as well as how to be prepared for the day of the test. Please take the time to review this guide:

Scheduling/Rescheduling

Beginning in June of 2020 DMV will be scheduling at two closed course locations, first at Providence and later in the month Cranston. Priority shall be given to any customers that have had appointments cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Any tests scheduled at branch locations (Middletown, Wakefield, or Woonsocket) may be rescheduled to one of these two closed course locations.


Scheduling Your Test

For the best selection of locations, dates, and times we recommend you schedule your appointment as far in advance as possible. You can schedule or reschedule an appointment at any time Online or at any DMV Branch location during normal business hours.

Cost

Costs and payment methods are listed in the DMV Fee Table.

Locations

Information regarding locations and hours of operation can be found here.

Cancellation/Rescheduling Policy

A road test must be cancelled/ rescheduled at least 48 hours before the scheduled test to avoid paying another road test fee. Cancel or reschedule an appointment at any time Online or call the Road Test Office at (401) 462-5750. Please keep in mind that our offices are not open on weekends and holidays when calling to reschedule.

Who is Required to Take a Road Test

You will be required to take a driving test if you have:

  • Never been licensed in any state or you hold a foreign country license.
  • Your License has been expired for more than 5 years.
  • Your Out of State License has been expired for more than 5 years.
  • A physical condition (except corrective lenses) and DMV imposes a restriction, or if you are currently restricted and you request that the restriction be removed.

Individuals 18 years of age or older must hold a Learner's Permit for at least 30 days prior to their first scheduled road test.

Special Requirements for Individuals Under 18 Years of Age

If you are between 16 1/2 and 18 years old, you must hold a Limited Instruction Permit for at least six months prior to the first scheduled road test (or until your 18th birthday).

Scheduling Road Tests After Failures

A minimum waiting period after a road test failure has been established to allow adequate time for applicants to acquire the necessary skills through additional instruction and practice, in order to pass the road test and be issued a full license to operate.

THE PROCEDURE FOR SCHEDULING TESTS AFTER A FAILURE IS AS FOLLOWS

  1. SUBSEQUENT TO THE 1st FAILURE:
    Applicant may return in no less than 30 days
  2. SUBSEQUENT TO A 2nd FAILURE:
    Applicant may return in no less than 90 days
  3. SUBSEQUENT TO 3 OR MORE FAILURES:
    Applicant may return in no less than 180 days. *

*This 180-day period shall be maintained upon each failure until the applicant’s permit has exhausted the 2 possible one-year extensions or the applicant is no longer eligible for an extension, at which time a new permit must be obtained by passing the knowledge test again.

Weather Policy

Road tests will be automatically cancelled when the Governor declares a state of emergency for the entire state, announces that all State Offices are closed, or weather conditions are considered unsafe. A DMV representative will attempt to contact you to reschedule the test as soon as the determination is made and or the state of emergency is lifted. If you are not contacted, please call the Road Test Office at (401) 462-5750.

You may reschedule a new road test at no additional fee if your road test was cancelled due to weather conditions.

NOTE: To schedule a CDL Road Test appointment, please call the Community College of Rhode Island at (401) 825-1146.

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So, when taking the CDL skills test, how do you know the layout of the course? That is exactly what we are going to cover in this article.

The CDL skills test consists of the following:

  • Straight Line Backing
  • Offset backing either Left or Right
  • Parallel Parking either Drivers side or Conventional
  • Alley Dock or 90 degree backing

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You may not be tested on all these maneuvers, but instead you may be tested on just a few. In addition, Pre-Trip Inspections are also tested. Look for that article to come out soon.

We do have an in depth article on the CDL skills backing tests, with video explanations. To access that page go here

What follows is a layout of the cones and a description taken directly from one State’s CDL handbook. As always download a copy and compare to ensure you are following your State’s testing protocol. Most of the State’s do now have it pretty standardized so it shouldn’t vary greatly.

If you need to obtain a copy of your State CDL handbook we have you covered. Go here to obtain your FREE instantly downloadable copy.

CDL Straight Line Backing – Cone Dimensions

Official guidance from the CDL manual:

You may be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line between two rows of cones without touching or crossing over the exercise boundaries.

So the dimensions of this course are 100 feet long by 12 feet wide.

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CDL Offset Backing – Cone Dimensions

From the CDL manual:

Offset Back Right – You may be asked to back into a space that is to the right rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward the outer boundary. From that position, you must back the vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones without striking boundary lines or cones.

Offset Back Left – You may be asked to back into a space that is to the left rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward the outer boundary. From that position, you must back the vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones without striking boundary lines or cones

Depending on the Class of CDL license you are testing for:

The length of the forward boundary for a Class A license is 140 feet from the rear set of cones. For a Class B license it is 90 feet.

Missouri Driver's Test Parallel Parking Dimensions

In addition, the two lanes are 12 foot wide, with the lane being backed into 40 feet deep.

Mi Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions

Parallel

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CDL Parallel Parking Dimensions

The CDL Manual advises:

Parallel Park (Driver’s Side) - You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your left. You are to drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area; and back into the space without crossing front, side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your entire vehicle completely into the space.

Parallel Park (Conventional) - You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. You are to drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area; and back into the space without crossing front, side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your entire vehicle completely into the space.

As you can see the dimensions of the box required to put the vehicle into are 12 foot wide by a length that is 15 feet longer than the vehicle (Applies to Class A and Class B).

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CDL Alley Dock

Guidance from the CDL manual:

You may be asked to sight-side back your vehicle into an alley. You will drive past the alley and position your vehicle parallel to the outer boundary. From that position, back into the alley bringing the rear of your vehicle within three feet of the rear of the alley without touching boundary lines or cones. Your vehicle must be straight within the alley/lane when completed.

Drivers License Parallel Parking Dimensions

The ‘Dock’ space where you will end up is measured as 12 foot wide by 40 foot long. There is an additional spacing of 70 feet forward of this boundary to the outer boundary.

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Summary

Knowing the placement of the cones will assist you in getting comfortable with the tasks required to complete your CDL skills testing. Don’t forget that we offer a further in depth article with videos that you can check out.

​Want the best resource to pass your CDL exam? Go here:

Also don’t forget to be sure to pick up our FREE guides on:

6 Hacks for boosting pay as a new Truck Driver

Nj Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions

Avoiding the 11 biggest mistakes before starting CDL School

And our Cheat sheet checklist of what to ask trucking company recruiters