Concord (CA-94520) DMV behind the wheel route
Today morning, (04/28/2017) I gave my Behind the Wheel test for getting a driver's licence in California and I think the DMV I choose is one of the easiest to crack.
I took my exam with the Concord (CA-94520) DMV and it was a real "smooth ride".
The instructor was very calm and was not very picky also he took the easiest route possible.
HINT: to crack the test, practice the route which I am going to mention below. You can also see a google map image for reference. I practiced it for a weekend and for almost an hour before the exam (that's more than 5 hours).
Even tough my first attempt was off route (when you do not follow the designated route, its termed as off route and the attempt is not counted. since that happened in my first attempt, I still had three more chances) and I could not get a licence. But, I gave my "first" attempt the same week and cracked it with one minor error.
The best part was that there was no test for curb parking and reverse!
ROUTE #1
1. Come out of DMV, Take Left on Meridian Park Blvd. Stay on Left most lane (opposite Home Depot)
2. Stop at Intersection (Meridian Park Blvd/Galaxy Way) - Continue on Left Lane
3. Turn Left on Burnett Avenue
4. Turn Right on Diamond Blvd
5. Turn Left on Concord Avenue (Stay on Second from Left Lane)
6. Keep straight till Signal/Intersection (try staying on right most lane)
7. Turn Right on Camelback Road (This is a residential Area, make sure to watch shoulder before merging on Bike Lane)
8. 25MPH Speed limit in Residential Area (Camelback Road)
9. Turn Right after STOP on 2nd Ave
10. Turn Right on Contra Costa Blvd (Make sure to merge on to right lane and not in Bike Lane)
11. Lane Change left (wait for Instructor)
12. Turn Left to Concord Ave
13. Turn Right at Meridian Park Blvd
14. Watch for two STOPS
15. Turn Right at DMV
ASSUMED ROUTE #2
1. Come out of DMV, Take Left on Meridian Park Blvd. Stay on Left most lane (opposite Home Depot)
2. Stop at Intersection (Meridian Park Blvd/Galaxy Way) - Continue on Left Lane
3. Go ahead and stay in the middle lane.
4. Turn Left on Concord Avenue (Stay on Second from Left Lane)
5. Cross the traffic lights and the I-680 exit and change lane to the right.
6. Take the right turn on Contra Costa Blvd and merge to the middle lane.
7, Merge to left lane on Contra Costa Blvd after crossing the traffic lights.
8. Turn Left on 2nd Ave from the second lights (This is a residential Area, make sure to watch for pedestrians)
9. 25MPH Speed limit in Residential Area (2nd Ave)
10. Turn Left after STOP on Camelback Road
11. Turn Left on Concord Ave (Make sure to turn on the left most lane and not in Bike Lane)
12. Turn Right at Meridian Park Blvd
13. Watch for two STOPS
14. Turn Right at DMV
(Although this was where I off route so I am not sure where the lane changing is tested by the instructor. I assume that it should be on the Contra Costa Blvd)
ALL THE BEST!
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ReplyDeleteGlad I could help!
DeleteYou can confirm the route you were asked to take in the comments and help others!
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DeleteThanks. What is the best time to take the behind-the-wheel driving test at the DMV in Concord?
DeleteI'm new ! This might sound stupid but can we make a right turn on a ref light ?
ReplyDeleteYes, unless prohibited by signage (don't forget to check). Just treat it like a stop sign (you must come to a full stop) and yield to pedestrians and cross traffic before you turn.
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ReplyDeletelso , can we stop in the middle of the crosswalk if there are cars coming when coming out of the dmv ? (Infront of homedepot , before making the first right turn onto the street .
ReplyDeleteIf you want to stop on the cross walk there needs to be a valid reason for it. for example. tell the instructor that you cannot see anyting from left or right and so you are creeping in. that way you will not loose on any points.
DeleteAlso can you tell me the speed limits
ReplyDeleteThank you !
speedlimits vary from 25 to 40 mph on this route.
Delete4/8/2019: I took my test at Concord today and was taken through the same route; I was asked to park and drive on reverse on 2nd Ave before turning left on Blackwood. I made a minor error here: stopping at a No Stop before turning left here.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I passed with no other errors. This helped a lot, thank you!
We read your blog site, share most helpful details in blog. Driving Instructors Near Me
ReplyDelete4. Turn Right on Diamond Blvd
ReplyDelete5. Turn Left on Concord Avenue (Stay on Second from Left Lane)
When you turn right on Diamond Blvd, do you go into second from last lane or third lane and make a left lane change? There was limited space before turning left on Concord Ave. I am not sure what the instructor asks to do here.
Turn right, always go into closest lane from right and then just make left change. You can make lane changes as needed.
DeleteJust had my appointment today. Funnily i failed only because of my last right turn going back to dmv where i went over the white solid painted dividers.(ive only seen such kind in meridien park)
ReplyDeleteI asked my friend who accompanied me and he told me i can drive 200 feet through it similar to a normal solid bike lane. New learning for me but my failure was justified. I ll do better next time
I had only two deductions though. So it was a real bummer.
One reminder: From concord ave i was asked to turn right at contra costa blvd. After turning right the the lane splits with the freeway exit on the right.
So after turning right from concorde avenue, make sure to go slightly to the left of your lane. Otherwise you ll end up on the freeway.
Hi, In prepare for the first DMV test, I watched a few test where
ReplyDelete1. Come out of DMV, Take Left on Meridian Park Blvd.
2. Turn Right on to Galaxy Way (corner of Home Depot)
And most of time, it seem the test failed because they came back to DMV within 2 min.
The question I have is, their turn seem ok, why does the examiner failed the tester? Does anyone know that area?
Thanks in advance.
My theory is that, when on Meridian Blvd, when making a right turn (on Galaxy Way), the right side is a solid white line (not a bike lane), and there are park cars. Most tester will cross white line to make the turn. (I believed they should stay in lane, go up to the stop sign, then make the right turn)
DeleteAnd when the turn is made (on Galaxy way), the most right lane is a right turn lane where it will go into the parking lot of home depot. But most tester will turn right and landed on the the lane where it will go straight (I believed they should stay on the most right lane, and try to change lane to the left so they can go straight (instead of going into the parking lot)
Thank you so much I passed my driving test today , your provided tips helped a lot !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much everyone for your posts! I passed my test on Friday (31st Jan) and this info really helped! I followed the same route from the DMV, turning right from Concord Ave along Contra Costa Blv. I headed to Center Ave and turned left on Deodar Drive, then right along 2nd Ave and onto Shadowood Drive. My examiner asked me to pull over and reverse in a straight line here (I received a minor because my signal clicked off when I pulled over and I forgot to turn it back on the the manoeuvre). Then back along Camelback Rd, and a detour along Scottsdale Rd. From here a left turn on Chilpancingo Pkwy: the home straight! I drove to Meridien Park Blvd and straight back to the DMV.
ReplyDeleteWith red lights (!) I think I was out for 20 mins. Good luck to everyone preparing to take their test!
Congrats there! Can you help me with the question below on the right of way at Meridien Park Blvd?
DeleteHi there, I've got a question. I am taking the Concorde test next Tues. Along the Meridian Park Blvd, you come to the ALL WAY STOP SIGN. It's my first time seeing so many lanes at a STOP sign. You have one lane turning left, 2 lanes which could go straight and the rightest lane may be able to go right. My question is how do you determine right of way? Also, if there are multiple cars reaching at all different time.
ReplyDeleteI have my driving test on the 19th of feb 2020. Did any of you have to parallel park?
ReplyDeleteThere is no parallel parking
DeleteMine test is in three weeks.
ReplyDeletehad nearly the exact same route, with a detour to some residential streets between camelback and 2nd ave. passed with your help! thanks so much.
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