This section covers:

• Basic Control Skills Test Scoring
• Basic Control Skills Test Exercises

For the Basic Control Skills Test, you will demonstrate basic skills in controlling a commercial vehicle and judging its position in relation to other objects.

It tests for the basic skills needed for safe control and operation of the vehicle.  The types of judgment and skills required for these basic control skills are also required in many different driving situations.

You will receive points for changing direction to gain a better position, crossing over or touching boundary lines or cones and for your final position.

You may be permitted to exit the vehicle to check around the vehicle during backing exercises.  When entering/exiting the vehicle, you must set your parking brake, place the vehicle in neutral, and safely exit/enter by facing the vehicle and maintaining three points of contact at all times (when entering/exiting a bus, face forward and maintain a firm grasp on the handrail.)

If at any time you open the door, move from a seated position when in physical control of the vehicle, (or on a bus, walk to the back to get a better view), you will be scored for a look.

You will receive specific instructions for each exercise prior to performing them.  You will have an opportunity to ask questions.  You must complete the exercise as directed.  If you see the examiner raise their hand (like this), stop and return your vehicle within the exercise boundary lines.

Your Basic Control Skills Test will include the following exercises, either off-road or somewhere on the street during the driving skills test:

• Step 1 – Forward Stop
• Step 2 – Straight-Line Backing
• Step 3 – Forward Offset Tracking
• Step 4 – Reverse Offset Backing

These exercises are shown in Figures 12.1-12.4.

12.1 Scoring

During the Basic Control Skills Test exercises, you will be scored for:

Pull-ups – Pulling forward on a backing exercise to clear an encroachment or to get a better position is scored as a “pull-up.”  These exercises include:

• • Exercise 2 – Straight-Line Backing
  • Exercise 4 – Reverse Offset Backing

The examiner will score the number of times you pull-up.  Stopping without changing direction does not count as a pull-up.  You will not be penalized for initial pull-ups.  However, an excessive number of pull-ups, will count as errors.  Your examiner will cover “pull-ups” when giving instructions for these exercises.

Encroachments – Touching or crossing over an exercise boundary line or cone with any part of your vehicle, other than the vehicle’s mirrors (door or fender) or other unique vehicle parts at or higher than door mirror height, such as a bucket truck, is scored as an encroachment.  Unique parts below the door mirror height are counted as an “encroachment.”

If you have encroached, the examiner will stop you and require you to return the vehicle within the exercise boundaries.  You must stop immediately when signaled by the examiner.  The examiner will score the number of times you touch or cross over an exercise boundary line or cone.  Each encroachment will count as an error.

Looks – Exiting the vehicle while performing an exercise to check the vehicle’s position while backing.  You may be permitted to safely stop and exit the vehicle to check the external position of the vehicle (look).

When doing so, you must set the parking brake(s) and place the vehicle in neutral/park.  Then, when exiting/entering the vehicle, you must do so safely by facing the vehicle and maintaining three points of contact with the vehicle at all times (when exiting/entering a bus, you may face forward and maintain a firm grasp on the handrail.)  If you do not safely secure the vehicle or safely exit/enter the vehicle, it may result in an automatic failure for an unsafe act.

If you open your door or move from a seated position, it will count as a "look.”  If you open your door while the vehicle is moving (not in neutral and park), it may result in an automatic failure for an unsafe act.

On a bus, if you walk to the back of the bus to get a better view, it will count as a “look.”

You may be allowed a maximum of one free look on Exercise 2 – Straight-line Backing, and two free looks on Exercise 4 – Reverse Offset Backing, to check the position of your vehicle.  Your examiner will cover “looks” when giving instructions for these exercises.

Final Position – The final position of the vehicle for backing exercises.  You will be scored on the final vehicle position for Exercises 2 – Straight-Line Backing and 4 – Reverse Offset Backing.

Upon completion of an exercise, set the parking brake, place the vehicle in neutral/park, and sound the horn indicating you have completed the exercise.

It is important that you finish each exercise exactly as the examiner has instructed.  Your vehicle must be within final exercise boundaries (other than mirrors and unique vehicle parts at or higher than door mirror height, such as a bucket truck.)  If you do not maneuver the vehicle into its final position as described by the examiner, you will be penalized and will fail the Basic Control Skills Test.  You MUST complete the exercises as directed.

Failure to Follow Instructions or Unsafe Act
Failure to follow the examiner's instructions for completing the exercise as directed may result in an automatic failure, and the test may be terminated by the examiner.  Always follow the examiner's instructions and directions.  If you do not understand the instructions or understand how to complete the exercises, ask the examiner for clarification.  [If permitted, you may ask the examiner to walk you through the exercise area.]

Committing an “unsafe act” (e.g., forgetting to set the parking brake or opening the door while in motion) may result in an automatic failure for an unsafe act, and the test may be terminated by the examiner.  Safety of the driver, the examiner, and the testing area is of the highest priority.  Always think SAFETY.

12.2 Exercises

12.2.1 - EXERCISE 1 - FORWARD STOP
You will demonstrate your ability to judge the front of your vehicle during a controlled stop.  Drive forward through the alley and stop with the front-most part of the vehicle (other than unique vehicle parts at or higher than door mirror height, such as a bucket truck) within the box at the end of the alley without going past it.  You may stop only once.

Your examiner will point out the front most part of your vehicle when giving instructions for this exercise.

When you have stopped, set your parking brake, shift to neutral/park, and sound the horn.  You will receive points if the front-most part of the vehicle (other than unique vehicle parts at or higher than door mirror height, such as a bucket truck) is not in the stop box.  (See Figure 12.1: Exercise 1 - Forward Stop.)

12.2.2 - EXERCISE 2 - STRAIGHT LINE BACKING
You will demonstrate your ability to back a vehicle in a straight line.  From your stopped position in the previous exercise, the examiner will ask you to pull forward and stop when they raise their hand.

Then back straight through the alley until the front of your vehicle has cleared the last set of cones at the far end of the alley.  (See Figure 12.2: Exercise 2 - Straight Line Backing)

You will be scored for pull-ups, encroachments, and final position.

You are allowed one free pull-up and may safely exit the vehicle only once to check around it.

When you have completed the exercise, set your parking brake, shift to neutral/park, and sound your horn.  This will inform the examiner that you have completed the exercise.

12.2.3 - EXERCISE 3 - FORWARD OFFSET TRACKING
You will demonstrate your ability to maneuver a vehicle around other objects while moving forward without stopping.

You will drive forward and steer to the left through the opening into the opposite lane, keeping the right-most rear tire between the cone and the line without stopping.

You will be scored for encroachments and forward tracking clearance (rear tire between the cone and the line.)

You are NOT allowed to stop, back up, or exit the vehicle during this exercise.  If you stop, the exercise will end.  Stop your vehicle when you are parallel to the outer boundary and prior to or at the cones at the far end of the exercise.  Then, set your parking brake, shift to neutral/park, and sound your horn.  This will inform the examiner that you have completed the exercise.  (See Figure 12.3: Exercise 3 - Forward Offset Parking)

12.2.4 - EXERCISE 4 - REVERSE OFFSET BACKING
You will demonstrate your ability to offset back and park a vehicle at the end of an alley.  From the stopped position of the previous exercise and parallel with the outer boundary, offset back into the alley, bringing the rearmost part of your vehicle (other than unique vehicle parts at or higher than door mirror height, such as a bucket truck) within three feet of the rear of the alley.

Stop with the rear most part of the vehicle (other than unique vehicle parts) in the three foot box at the end of the alley.

Your examiner will point out the rear most part of your vehicle when giving instructions for this exercise.

If you back beyond the rear boundary of the alley, you will be required to pull straight forward past the alley entrance until you are signaled by the examiner to stop, prior to resuming the exercise.

Your vehicle must be straight within the alley when completed.  Your vehicle must be completely within the defined exercise boundaries when completed (other than mirrors or other unique vehicle parts at or higher than door mirror height, such as a bucket truck.)  You may not go beyond the outer boundary line. (See Figure 12.4: Exercise 4 - Reverse Offset Backing)

You will be scored for pull-ups, encroachments, and final position.

You are allowed two free pull-ups and may exit the vehicle a maximum of two times to check around the vehicle during this exercise.