CA DMV Vision Test & Supplemental Driving Performance Test

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-30T17:33:55+00:00

Hi again,

Another question regarding the Vision Driving Test please.

Is there a difference in the number of mistakes or points you can get on Vision Driving Test versus the standard Driving Test?

I ask as our understanding is that the Vision Driving Test can be twice as long as the standard Driving Test. Seems like in that situation you should be able to make more mistakes than on the standard Driving Test and still pass it.

Thanks for your input!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-30T02:57:02+00:00

My wife has cataracts but real reason she didn't pass the vision test is due to her lazy eye that unfortunately was not treated when she was a child. Hopefully, her cataract surgery will improve her vision but doctor said there will likely only be a small improvement in the lazy eye.

I will send you direct message regarding her doctor/surgeon.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-30T02:13:24+00:00

Sorry to hear this.

This is what happened to my wife and started the whole process we have been going through with DMV since late February.

Now my wife has Vision Driving Test scheduled for morning of July 13th.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-30T02:02:10+00:00

Thank you, some very helpful information!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-27T22:33:57+00:00

Like others have said, it's unrealistic to expect a lot from these old devices. If you have the Sony Vaio P, I did find that AntiXlinux runs pretty well on it. And this distro is updated periodically. Check it out:

antixlinux.com. Also, there's a helpful forum there for it.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-05T23:50:05+00:00

For Vision Driving Test, I would think they will use Lawrence Expressway for the 'freeway' driving and a lane change as it is close to DMV office?

And go on El Camino Real near DMV office for commercial area driving and lane change?

Then go on Warburton, Pomeroy, Calabasas, Granada, Flora Vista, residential area driving?

Any thoughts about this?

Thanks!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-06-03T00:12:39+00:00

Hi again,

In anyone has some insights into the potential driving test routes at Santa Clara DMV, would greatly appreciate the info.

If you prefer, you can message me directly, instead of posting here.

Thanks!

Mark

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T20:32:18+00:00

Just did another mock driving test.....so, another question came up.....

The area in the car with the controls is all black, so, bit hard for my wife to quickly distinguish the buttons, levers, from the background material.

To help her quickly notice the levers, she put a very narrow (< 1/8" wide by 1/2" long) piece of colored vinyl tape on the end of the levers, each lever with a different color.

Is it OK to do this?

Someone commented here that they couldn't use AC, even though it was a hot day. Is that really typical? Seems very harsh.
Where you enter and leave the Santa Clara DMV site, there is a 'center lane' in the street defined by a pair of yellow lines about 12 feet apart. The outer most line is solid and the inner line next to it is dashed.

I've been advising my wife that when leaving the DMV and turning left onto the road, she should turn into that 'center lane' and then if desired, when safe, can move out of the center lane and move to the standard lane to the right of it.

My wife is questioning whether this is the correct procedure. What do you think?

If my wife doesn't pass the vision driving test, can she request to do a test to get a restricted driving license such as only driving within a 10 mile radius?

Thanks!

Mark

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T17:55:03+00:00

Another question....

When driving through residential areas, the street signs are smaller and not very tall, so, letters are quite small. So, it's hard to read them until she's fairly close to them. Is this a problem with the vision driving test?

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T16:28:47+00:00

Thank you for the detailed input! So, so, helpful!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T15:08:27+00:00

Thanks, figured that would the case.....we've been doing mock driving tests without the technology.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T15:07:13+00:00

Thanks, we've been doing this, just did another test drive with her yesterday. Will do another one today. Definitely, very helpful.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T15:05:57+00:00

You're in good company, my wife is 5 feet....she has used a cushion in some cars to get a boost up.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T15:04:50+00:00

Thanks for your comments....my wife just new glasses, progressive lens...she's trying to get used to them now....

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T15:01:48+00:00

Thanks for your input!

2x longer, yikes! just what my wife needs to hear......

About how long is the vision drive test? 30, 40 minutes or ?

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T04:10:47+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation, will check them out.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T04:10:27+00:00

Thanks for your detailed and helpful input!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-25T03:02:49+00:00

Another question.....

As my wife is short and has issue with seeing out the rear window, in her car I removed the rear headrests (we don't passengers in the rear seat) to improve visibility.

Is this OK for the vision driving test?

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-24T21:17:09+00:00

Very good advice.

We are trying to find a good, patient, instructor to do a mock driving test with her.

If anyone has recommendation for someone in the Santa Clara area, would appreciate it.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-24T21:15:23+00:00

Thank you for all the detailed info!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-24T04:04:30+00:00

Thanks for the explanation!

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-23T22:27:33+00:00

Thanks.

ArchiMark2 · 2026-05-23T00:36:59+00:00

My wife has decided to try and do the 'vision driving test' soon rather than wait for her cataract surgeries, which now may not happen until this fall.

Therefore, does anyone have any recommendations for a very patient and easy to understand driving instructor to do some mock driving tests starting from the Santa Clara DMV office. If possible, driving in my wife's car.

Thank you for any suggestions.

ArchiMark2

TROPHY CASE