How good are Stanislaus County drivers? What their driving test results show
Modesto drivers don’t have the best reputation, and their driving test results back it up.
In 2022, the California Office of Traffic Safety ranked Modesto worst among its peer cities for traffic crashes involving alcohol, injuries and fatalities. The ranking assessed 61 California cities with populations between 100,000 and 250,000.
While most drivers in Modesto pass their behind-the-wheel test, many struggle with the written exam, whether they are first-time test takers or renewing their licenses.
According to data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, 8,028 behind-the-wheel driving tests were conducted at the Modesto DMV office last year.
Of those, 28% of drivers failed. The data excludes motorcycle tests; special drives for applicants with physical, mental, or vision conditions or skill-related referrals; and area drives, which are restricted to specific locations. Additionally, 21% of those scheduled for a test did not show up.
The fail rate was even higher in Turlock, where half of all drivers taking the behind-the-wheel test did not pass.
In a Reddit post in January, some users claimed that the behind-the-wheel test is easier in Turlock than in Modesto — citing Modesto’s several one-way streets downtown — though the fail rates seem to prove otherwise.
The written exam has proven an even greater challenge for many drivers. In Modesto, 28,725 written tests were taken last year, not including online e-learning exams.
Among those taking the test for the first time, 63% failed. The failure rate for those renewing their licenses was nearly as high, at 61%. In Turlock, first-time test takers failed at a rate of 64%, while 60% of renewal applicants did not pass.
Aidan Keomee, a student at Gregori High School, said it took him three attempts to pass the written test. On Friday, he was at the Modesto DMV Office supporting his friend, who was about to take her test for the first time. She had studied by reading the handbook and practicing with online tests but was still a little nervous.
“Don’t overthink it, don’t second-guess yourself and study more,” Keomee told her.
Dawn Buhler-Heinricks, owner of Precision Driving Schools in Patterson, said preparing for the permit test involves studying the California Driver Handbook, which is available online or at any DMV location, and completing the practice tests on the DMV website.
“Every question on the permit test is answered in the handbook. Taking the practice tests online gives the students an idea of the questions and the format in which they are asked,” Buhler-Heinricks said.
For the driving test, she recommends training with a licensed driving instructor and practicing with parents. She said this not only increases the chances of passing but helps students develop into safe and courteous drivers.
The DMV offers study tips on its website to help prepare for the knowledge test:
Review the California Driver’s Handbook. It covers essential information, so take a few days to read through it thoroughly.
Read each test question carefully. There is one correct answer, while the other two choices will either be clearly incorrect or not relevant. Don’t overthink it — there are no trick questions.
Remember, all test questions come from the handbook. If you get one wrong, a DMV employee can direct you to the page with the correct answer.
Stay calm. The DMV wants drivers to succeed.
Those renewing their licenses can take an online e-learning course in lieu of the in-person written test. These courses are interactive, self-paced and can be done on any device. They are not monitored. The course is currently offered in English, Spanish and traditional Chinese with audio in Mandarin.
