The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) revealed Tuesday that new changes would be coming to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) road test this week to improve new driver knowledge and safety awareness.
“These changes are intended to provide a consistent experience at any of the MVD offices or authorized third-party locations across Arizona,” said Mike Cryderman, MVD field operations administrator. “This new process continues our vision to become the safest, most reliable transportation system in the country.”
The Arizona Sun Times reached out to the Phoenix Police Department for a comment on the changes, but no opinion was given.
Starting Thursday, potential new drivers arriving at a local MVD will have extra tests to complete before hitting the road. An instructor will now ask the driver to present the registration and insurance of their vehicle. ADOT said this is an attempt to ensure that new drivers realize what these important documents are and where they are placed in the vehicle.
From here, test-takers must perform a safety inspection on their vehicle. This includes tire condition, turn signals, and a clean interior. Cars that do not meet MVD standards will have to reschedule the test.
Another new step in the test is a “customer basic safety knowledge test,” which requires drivers to demonstrate an ability to use vehicle features such as the emergency brake, hazard lights, and high beams.
If drivers pass these initial segments of the test, they will embark with an instructor on the driving portion, which can last roughly 20 minutes.
NEW: Changes are coming to the MVD road test this week. New drivers will be asked to provide proof of insurance and registration prior to the exam. MORE: https://t.co/5jOplFyTBj pic.twitter.com/zfGhaGyHQM
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) September 27, 2022
As reported by ABC 15 in March, some in Arizona wanted to see other aspects of Arizona driver’s licenses changed. Exclusive to Arizona, once someone gets a license, there is no renewal requirement for decades until the age of 65. Holly Thompson, a local Lyft driver, told the outlet that she sees people of all ages driving as if they do not know the rules of the land and that people should be retested more frequently to keep streets safe.
As reported by The Sun Times, ADOT provided information stating that fatal car crashes in 2021 rose to a 15-year high for the state. The report revealed that 1,180 traffic fatalities occurred during the year, most of which were caused by speeding, not wearing a seat belt, reckless driving, and impairment from alcohol and illegal drugs.
A recent crash report provided by the Arizona Department of Public Safety involved a school bus containing 22 people. The crash occurred in August on eastbound I-40 near Sanders. A previous collision blocking the road was causing traffic to slow in the area, but a commercial tractor-trailer driver failed to stop for traffic and collided with the back of the school bus. The force of the impact shoved the bus into a passenger van. One of the passengers, a 17-year-old female, died at the scene, and several more were injured.
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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Arizona Department of Transportation” by Arizona Department of Transportation.
