Section 75.15. Driving examination for Class A or Class B driver’s license

The following maneuvers and faults apply to the driving examination for a Class A or Class B driver’s license:

(1) Accident (31 points).

(i) An accident, however slight, which the applicant could have prevented.

(ii) Contact with a pedestrian which the applicant could have prevented.

(2) Lack of cooperation (31 points).

(i) Refusal to obey instructions of examiner.

(ii) Refusal to attempt maneuver when instructed by the examiner.

(iii) Offering bribes or gratuities to the examiner.

(3) Serious traffic offenses (31 points).

(i) Stop sign offenses.

(A) Failure to stop for stop sign.

(B) Failure to stop before proceeding into intersection.

(C) Failure to make second stop if necessary.

(ii) Red light offenses.

(A) Failure to stop for a red light.

(B) Failure to decelerate when approaching a yellow light.

(C) Entering into intersection as light turns red.

(iii) Failure to yield right-of-way.

(A) Failure to yield to pedestrian.

(B) Failure to yield to oncoming driver when making left turn.

(C) Failure to yield promptly to emergency vehicles.

(D) Failure to yield to traffic having right-of-way.

(iv) Driving in opposite lane continuously. Crossing double yellow line and remaining in opposite lane for extended period of time.

(v) Improper passing.

(A) Insufficient clearance for pass.

(B) Passing within or too close to intersection.

(C) Returning to lane too quickly after passing, forcing overtaken vehicle to slow down.

(D) Passing on right where illegal.

(E) Passing in no-passing zone.

(vi) Restriction violation.

(A) Being unaccompanied by licensed driver.

(B) Violating restriction on learner’s permit or driver’s license.

(vii) Speeding. Exceeding speed limit.

(4) Striking/jumping curb or markers (31 points).

(i) Driving one or more wheels over the curb or onto sidewalk.

(ii) Making contact with curb, sidewalk or marker.

(5) Uncoupling and coupling. Failure to complete the applicable maneuvers within the 5-minute limit constitutes an automatic failure.

(i) Uncoupling—5-minute limit (31 points).

(A) Park tractor trailer and set parking brake.

(B) Place tractor protection valve in the emergency position.

(C) Check trailer and make certain surface will support trailer.

(D) Lower trailer support.

(E) Disconnect glad hands and secure to dummy couplings on tractor.

(F) Disconnect and secure electrical connection.

(G) Pull fifth wheel lock release.

(H) Pull tractor ahead until trailer slips to the lower 1/3 of fifth wheel plate.

(I) Recheck first, then pull tractor away from the trailer.

(ii) Couplings—5-minute limit (31 points).

(A) Check that tractor protection valve is in the emergency position.

(B) Check air brake pressure in tractor.

(C) Back tractor to front edge of trailer.

(D) Check king pin assembly for proper alignment making certain fifth wheel lock is open.

(E) Connect glad hands to trailer.

(F) Connect electrical connection to trailer.

(G) Place tractor protection valve in the normal position and check for proper connection, that is, trailer brake is not leaking air.

(H) Set trailer brakes.

(I) Back under trailer until the king pin is locked in the fifth wheel, that is, couples without difficulty.

(J) Check security of coupling by slowly pulling forward with trailer brakes locked.

(K) Visually check king pin to be certain of proper coupling.

(L) Raise trailer support fully.

(6) Pretrip circle check improperly complete (31 points).

(i) Exterior. Check general condition of the following equipment:

(A) Headlights.

(B) Clearance lights.

(C) Identification lights.

(D) Turn signals and four way flashers.

(E) Tires and wheel lugs.

(F) Sidemarker lights.

(G) Reflectors.

(H) Tail lights.

(I) Stop lights.

(J) Trailer hook up.

(K) Rear trailer door—shall be secure.

(L) Mud flaps.

(ii) Interior. Check general condition of the following equipment:

(A) Parking brake.

(B) Trailer protection valve and steering.

(C) Gauges—that is, oil pressure, air pressure and low air warning device.

(D) Horn and mirrors.

(E) Emergency equipment—that is, fire extinguisher and flags, flares, reflectors or triangles.

(7) Failure to properly start engine (31 points).

(i) Failure to start engine due to lack of knowledge.

(ii) Failure to start engine with standard transmission in neutral.

(8) Improper backing (31 points).

(i) Failure to check area before backing.

(ii) Improper steering when backing, such as:

(A) One hand driving when not required.

(B) Allowing steering wheel to spin back after turns.

(C) Jerky motions.

(D) Failure to use hand-over-hand method.

(iii) Excessive weaving while backing.

(iv) Failure to utilize mirrors properly.

(9) Other traffic offenses (16 points).

(i) Improper turning.

(A) Failure to get into proper lane.

(B) Swinging too wide on turn.

(C) Failure to maintain safe clearance when turning.

(D) Cutting too short on turn.

(ii) Speed control according to conditions.

(A) Driving too fast for conditions.

(B) Sliding or skidding due to speed.

(C) Failure to decelerate when appropriate.

(iii) Crossing center line or crossing double yellow line momentarily.

(iv) Following too closely or failure to follow 4-second rule.

(v) Improper stopping.

(A) Stopping in crosswalk.

(B) Stopping over stop line.

(C) Stopping unnecessarily on roadway.

(vi) Failure to signal or improper signaling.

(A) Incorrect signal given.

(B) Signal continued after turn is completed.

(C) Signal initiated at less than appropriate distance, that is, less than 100 feet from turning or stopping points.

(D) Failure to signal before starting, stopping or turning.

(E) Failure to give audible signal when necessary.

(10) Improper parking (16 points).

(i) Parking more than 12 inches from curb.

(ii) Failure to set brakes and place transmission in gear.

(11) Failure to observe traffic (16 points).

(i) Failure to turn head to check for traffic.

(ii) Failure to check for traffic when going through intersection on green light.

(iii) Taking eyes from road to talk to examiner while vehicle is in motion.

(iv) Failure to check mirrors.

(12) Improper steering (16 points).

(i) One-hand driving when not required.

(ii) Allowing steering wheel to spin back after turns.

(iii) Erratic steering causing vehicle to swerve when turning or driving straight.

(iv) Failure to use hand-over-hand method.

(13) Failure to exercise proper judgment in traffic (16 points).

(i) Failure to yield.

(ii) Failure to maintain a safety margin in all traffic situations.

(iii) Improper choice of action when reacting to hazardous or emergency situations.

(iv) Failure to activate windshield wipers, defrosters or headlights when necessary.

(14) Improper starting of engine and failure to exhibit smooth driving (8 points).

(i) Rolling back more than 12 inches.

(ii) Failure to release parking brake before attempting to start vehicle in motion.

(iii) Spinning wheels when starting.

(iv) Stalling engine.

(v) Driving in an unsmooth manner.

(vi) Difficulty in shifting.

(A) Automatic transmission.

(I) Using improper gear.

(II) Failure to come to complete stop before shifting from forward to reverse or from reverse to forward.

(B) Standard transmission.

(I) Failure to keep eyes on road when shifting.

(II) Using improper gear.

(III) Grinding gears.

(IV) Shifting in middle of curve.

(V) Swerving vehicle while shifting.

(15) Improper braking (8 points).

(i) Improper foot position on brake pedal.

(ii) Sudden or hard braking when not necessary.

(iii) Applying brakes in the middle of a curve rather than prior to entering the curve.

(iv) Braking when unnecessary.

(v) Failure to come to a smooth stop.

(vi) Foot slips off brake pedal.

(vii) Foot misses brake pedal.

(viii) Failure to apply brakes in a timely manner.

(16) Failure to maintain minimum speed limit, unless conditions warrant caution (8 points).

(i) Applicant over cautious.

(ii) Driving 10 miles per hour below the speed limit unless conditions warrant caution.

(iii) Interfering with other vehicles by driving too slowly.

(17) Use of hand holds (8 points). Failure to use hand holds for mounting and dismounting.

The provisions of this § 75.15 adopted May 25, 1990, effective May 26, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2769; amended September 15, 1995, effective September 16, 1995, 25 Pa.B. 3854. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (147512) to (147514).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 75.15 amended under Vehicle Code,

Cross References

This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 75.14 (relating to conduct of driving examination).