Best location to take road test - Raleigh or Charlotte (Fayetteville: neighborhood, DMV)

[larahoney2002]

Hi Everyone - I have the option to take my driving test in Raleigh (close to Capital blvd) or Charlotte (28262 zip code). I know dmv's are generally a pain, but I figured one location must be better than the other. I know Charlotte is notorious for non-chalant + mean employees and long waits, but I'm not sure about Raleigh. Any suggestions or thoughts on driving tests/dmv's in both areas will be soooooo appreciated. Thanks!

[mfrank2109]

It's a breeze - they don't even make you parallel park. Go to the one nearest where you live. If in Raleigh go to the one off Gorman, you don't have to go to the one on Capital Blvd. They are always nice and not overly crowded.

[sowk09]

I went to the one on Gorman (or is it Avent Ferry?) when I moved here and they were awesome. Granted I didn't have to do the driving test, but they were fast, not too busy, and kind.

[Francois]

Why limit it to those two? Go to a much smaller place like Goldsboro or Kinston (I renewed a license in Kinston once, and just walked straight in, NO wait--they actually seemed excited to have something to do!). You can't predict what kind of instructor you'll get in any case, so just prepare to do well "by the book" (it's not hard) and go for somewhere there's a shorter line. They'll be in a better mood, I suspect.

[jln69]

I've heard Fayetteville is a good place to go. They are very nice and not that crowded.

[larahoney2002]

Thanks soooooo much for the awesome replies! Seems Raleigh is winning. Does anyone have any insight on Charlotte? More importantly, can anyone please list what you get tested on (I read somewhere that you get tested on 13 skills)? I want to make sure I'm doing all these things by the book. I know a few, but not all...
*Car familiarity - doing basic things: adjusting mirrors, seat belts etc
*Three point turn
*Reversing
*Obeying traffic signs
*Proper application of brakes
*Driving w/ a care for pedestrians...

[sowk09]

Larahoney2002, I would imagine all that can be found in the book you get from the dmv, or in driver's ed if you took that. Again, I didn't take mine in this state, but I would add parallel parking to the list. Also, I had to park as if I was overnight parking on a neighborhood street, so I had to know which way to turn my tires, etc.

[DanielleNC]

Originally Posted by sowk09

Larahoney2002, I would imagine all that can be found in the book you get from the dmv, or in driver's ed if you took that. Again, I didn't take mine in this state, but I would add parallel parking to the list. Also, I had to park as if I was overnight parking on a neighborhood street, so I had to know which way to turn my tires, etc.

I never had to do either of those. But I haven't taken the test in 13 years and maybe the test is different if you are doing city driving vs. rural. I did mine in Hillsborough. Too easy.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by sowk09

Larahoney2002, I would imagine all that can be found in the book you get from the dmv, or in driver's ed if you took that. Again, I didn't take mine in this state, but I would add parallel parking to the list. Also, I had to park as if I was overnight parking on a neighborhood street, so I had to know which way to turn my tires, etc.

NC's does not require even parallel parking, let alone "turning your tires" properly <!>. That sounds like a big urban city's rules. I've been driving for 30 years and not once been told "how to turn my tires"!

[larahoney2002]

Thanks all!
~I really appreciate all the insights.