Items Removed From Driver's View Prior To Test

So, you’re about to take your driving test. Your palms are a little sweaty, your stomach is doing backflips, and you’ve triple-checked your mirrors. But wait—have you checked your floor mats? Because the examiners certainly will.

Before you even turn the key, they’ll perform a tiny inspection of your car’s interior. Think of it as a pre-game purge for your vehicle. The goal? To make sure nothing distracts you from parallel parking like a nervous squirrel.

Goodbye, Fuzzy Dice (And Everything Else)

Let’s start with the obvious offenders: air fresheners dangling from the rearview mirror. Yes, even that “New Car Scent” tree has got to go. The examiner sees it as a swinging blind spot—and you’re not auditioning for a car wash commercial.

Next up: phone mounts. I know, I know—you need it for GPS. But during the test, your phone must be completely out of sight. Tuck it into the glove box, where it can’t tempt you with notifications. Out of sight, out of mind… and out of test-failing territory.

Also, kiss those fuzzy dice goodbye. Or those little hula dancers. Or that mini Yoda figurine you glued to the dashboard. The rule is simple: if it hangs, sticks, or dangles within your field of vision, it’s illegal during the exam.

The Hidden Culprits You Didn’t Think Of

Now, let’s talk about the sneaky stuff. Your sun visor, for example. Did you prop it down to block the sun? Fine. But did you leave a pair of sunglasses clipped to it? The examiner will ask you to remove them. Why? Because that tiny clip could drop into your eyes during a sudden brake. It’s a glare assassinator waiting to happen.

What about the cargo in your back seat? A gym bag, a stack of textbooks, or your dog’s favorite chew toy? All of it needs to be secured or moved. Loose items can roll under the pedals or slide into your peripheral vision. One test-taker famously failed because a banana rolled from the passenger seat and lodged under the brake pedal. True story. (Probably.)

Don’t forget the floor mats. If they’re aftermarket, thick, or even slightly wrinkled, an examiner might ask you to remove them. They’re afraid of them bunching up under the pedals. So, yank them out and toss them in the trunk. Your car will look sad and naked, but your test will be safer.

The “Just In Case” Clean-Up

This is where we get a little obsessive. Your dashboard should be as empty as a monk’s meditation room. No coins, no receipts, no empty coffee cups. That old reusable water bottle? Into the trunk it goes. The examiners have eagle eyes—they’ll spot a single receipt crumb like a hawk spotting a mouse.

Also, check your glove box. If it’s stuffed with napkins, old insurance cards, and a single stale granola bar, close it carefully. The examiner might ask you to open it during the test to access documents. You don’t want a avalanche of junk tumbling out while you’re trying to merge onto the highway. That’s a distraction you do not need.

And here’s a pro tip: remove your sunglasses completely—even the pair you’re not wearing. If they’re sitting on the passenger seat, the examiner might see them as “movable objects that could distract you.” Yes, it’s that nitpicky. But you are stronger than a pair of Ray-Bans.

Why Do They Do This to Us?

It’s not because they’re cruel. (Okay, maybe a little.) The real reason is safety. Anything that could block your view, roll under a pedal, or catch your eye is a hazard. The test is designed to mimic real-world driving—and in the real world, you don’t want a flying water bottle during a sharp turn.

Plus, think of it as a mini-spring cleaning. You’ll drive away from the test with a spotless car and a shiny new license. Or, you’ll drive away with a clean car and a failure—but at least your car will smell like lemons.

The Uplifting Conclusion (You Made It!)

Here’s the beautiful truth: you’ve survived the purge. The fuzzy dice are in the trunk, the phone mount is in the glove box, and your car is basically a rolling meditation pod. You’ve minimized every distraction. Now, all you have to do is drive.

And when you pass—because you will—you can pull over, reach into that glove box, and restore your car to its gloriously cluttered self. Hang those dice back up. Stick that Yoda on the dash. But maybe leave the banana in the trunk for the ride home. That thing is a menace.

So take a deep breath. Adjust your perfectly clean seat. Glance at your pristinely empty dashboard. And remember: you are not just a driver; you are the CEO of a distraction-free vehicle. Go ace that test. Your fuzzy-dice-encrusted future awaits.