Hello all.
My wife and I are new to RV travel, my being recently retired. She has passed the RV driving test. I've taken the written test and now have to pass the driving test. We are going from Corpus through Austin area and north. What is a good DMV place to take the driving test? Thanks for the info in advance. Dave
Subject line updated for clarity.
Took mine in Terrell, but you will need an appointment.
Found this in my list of references. It may help you:
http://aboutrving.com/pdfs/MovingTexasDrivingExam.pdf (http://aboutrving.com/pdfs/MovingTexasDrivingExam.pdf)
Here is the link to find testing locations:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/rolodex/search.asp (http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/rolodex/search.asp)
Keith
I took mine last November at DPS office in Cleburne (600 W Kilpatrick St, Cleburne, TX 76033, 817-202-2650). Small town, small office, very friendly staff. You should call ahead for appointment time. The lady who administered my driving test was more interested in asking questions about my coach than worrying about my driving. Very simple test loop around north end of town. She did require a "parallel parking" demonstration (in the truck delivery area behind Home Depot), but other than that nothing unusual...just your basic everyday driving skills. I recommend this office, if it is convenient for you.
dps cleburne - Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/place/DPS+Cleburne/@32.3649471),-97.4055132,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x864e47a7fde94135:0xbd889fab8adb3925?hl=en
I did mine in Nac after having service done. The hardest part is getting an appointment. Austin was my back up plan.They have a much larger staff, I don't recall if they require an appointment. Good luck!
Marilyn and I both took our exams for TX Class B in Brenham, TX. An appointment is required for the driving exam. Examiner is friendly, but relatively strict. She will do a vehicle inspection before you drive. You'll also be required to do the "air brake drill." You'll need to show your understanding of the pressures, alarms, and automatic activation of the parking brake. I recommend you go through the drill explained in a driver's handbook a few times to get the proper sequence. An examiner at any location is likely to use a similar procedure.
Marilyn's test included backing and parallel parking. I misunderstood the instruction to turn into the industrial area where the instructor does the backing and parking. I offered to go around the driving course again to take the proper turn. Response was, "You obviously know how to drive this vehicle. Let's go back to the office." Life in small towns in Texas has its benefits.
I took mine at the DPS Supercenter in Rosenberg. Other than backing up, all I did was drive around where the inspector directed. No air brake system test even though I was ready for it. I actually had two inspectors. On performing the test and another evaluating the inspector.
Take it in Marble Falls, in the hill country. The test is a cake walk. The driving test consisted of about 20 min driving on empty streets with stops, right and left turn using turn signals.
Way way easy! And park the coach at Sunset point RV right in Lake LBj.
Took mine in Nacogdoches and nothing to it. Just had to drive around the loop. DAN
Thank you all so much for your responses to my question about where to take the driving test! I'm going to try calling either Cleburne or Terrell tomorrow to check availability and take it from there... Dave
Hello - I'm June (Dave's wife and Chuck Pearson's big sister). We are really excited about finally using our motor coach - I thought Dave would never retire - and hitting the open road. We bought our coach two years ago from JOR and it has been in covered storage since except when Chuck would take it out for a spin and run the aqua-hot. Now he's trying to teach us everything he knows - a herculean task since he knows so much and we are so new to all this! But he assures me we'll find lots of good people to offer advice on this forum. So - thank you all again for your answers and we are feeling much more confident knowing there is such a wonderful community behind us! Sincerely, June
My experience in Cleburne was the same as Chuck's. The tester used their wheel blocks, I asked 2 times to confirm she had set them before doing the brake test part.
She was really more interested in the Foretravel, and it's amazing ride and condition, asked 20 questions as we traveled. She asked for a tour after the test. She pulls a huge 5th wheel toy box with Harleys or ATV's. She watched for lots of mirror checks and head movement. She gave clear and well timed instructions, and no tricks or anything unusual.
Dave, You must have gotten the same examiner I did! I remember her talking about her 5th wheel painted in Harley Davidson colors. Small world!
Chuck,
Yep, had to be the same, very nice women. She took the time to show me her Baby Q BBQ when we got to talking about campground cooking after the test was completed. I got lucky, as it was a very slow day, did not know I needed an appointment, and she had some time between scheduled testing students.
If you have not made arrangements, there is an examiner in Lampasas that is very helpful. Do believe an appointment is necessary. Have had a couple of friends get their driving tests there and were very complimentary of the lady.