The Minnesota road test score sheet tracks your performance in two running columns and a set of automatic-failure boxes. You fail the drive if your point deductions add up to more than 20, if you commit more than three perceived risk errors, or if you trigger any single disqualifying event. A fourth failure path sits before you ever leave the lot: missing three or more items on the vehicle equipment demonstration ends the test on the spot.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure
The Two Scoring Columns
The score sheet separates ordinary mistakes from hazardous ones, and each has its own limit.
Point deductions cover minor and moderate errors. A slightly wide turn, a slow reaction, an incomplete mirror check: each carries a set number of points that the examiner marks as you go. Cross 20 total points and you fail.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure
Perceived risk errors are the second column. These are mistakes that create a genuine hazard, even when nothing gets hit. More than three of them fails you on their own, no matter how low your point total is.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure
The two columns run independently. Fifteen deduction points and four perceived risk errors still fails, because you crossed the risk threshold. You have to stay under both to pass.
The Pre-Drive Equipment Check
Before you pull out of the parking lot, the examiner has you locate and operate the vehicle’s safety features. The Department of Public Safety lists these as seat adjustment, seat belt, emergency or parking brake, headlights, hazard lights, turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, and the defroster and fan.2Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Get Ready for Your Driver’s Road Test
Miss three or more of these and the examiner ends the test right there. You don’t get to drive.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure The vehicle itself has to be roadworthy too, with functioning headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals, plus valid proof of insurance and current registration.
Events That End the Test Immediately
The score sheet has a dedicated section for disqualifying events. Any single one fails the test regardless of your running score. Minnesota Administrative Rule 7410.5320 groups them into a few categories.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure
A preventable crash ends the drive regardless of who was legally at fault. Contact with another vehicle, a pedestrian, a fixed object, or even a parking flag all count.
Any traffic law violation that would normally draw a ticket or arrest is also an automatic failure. Running a red light, missing a stop sign, or making an illegal turn all fit here.
The rule identifies eight specific dangerous actions. Among them:
- Driving over a curb or onto a sidewalk
- Forcing another driver or pedestrian to react defensively
- Inability to control the vehicle
- Stopping on a railroad track
- Driving or turning from the wrong lane where lanes are clearly marked
- An error that forces the examiner to take control or intervene to prevent a crash
Refusing to cooperate with the examiner or refusing to perform a requested maneuver also fails the test.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure The Minnesota Driver’s Manual summarizes the same ground as five categories: disobeying a traffic law, dangerous or reckless driving, inability to control the vehicle, a preventable crash, and not cooperating.3Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Minnesota Driver’s Manual
What the Examiner Grades During the Drive
State law requires an “actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.”4Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes 171.13 – Examination The score sheet turns that standard into specific observations, and the exact skills tested vary by station and examiner.
Common maneuvers include parallel parking, parking on a hill, driving on one-way roads, and navigating intersections.2Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Get Ready for Your Driver’s Road Test Throughout the drive, the examiner watches for smooth lane changes, proper use of mirrors and signals, speed control, correct yielding, and safe following distance. Each shortfall is marked as a deduction.
Hill parking looks at whether you turn the wheels the correct way for the slope and curb. Parallel parking is scored on approach, positioning, and finishing distance from the curb. Controlled backing may test whether you can steer into a restricted space without crossing boundary lines, and each mid-maneuver correction is noted.
After the Test
When you finish, the examiner totals the sheet and tells you the result. If you failed, you get a copy showing where the points came from, which is worth reading closely before you rebook.
Your first two attempts don’t carry an extra testing fee beyond the usual license fees. Starting with the third attempt, a $20 retesting fee applies each time.3Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Minnesota Driver’s Manual
State law also requires the Department of Public Safety to offer you an appointment within 14 days of your request if you’re otherwise eligible.4Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes 171.13 – Examination Popular stations fill quickly, and DVS posts slots up to 30 days out, so book as soon as you’re ready.
One quirk of the rule: the test also counts as failed if vehicle trouble, illness, or severe weather stops you from finishing. You didn’t do anything wrong, but you still have to reschedule and start over.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Rules 7410.5320 – Events Resulting in Test Failure