You cannot pass a road test by video call, and attempting to do so will result in your license being suspended or revoked
A road test must happen in person, with you behind the wheel of a real vehicle, on real roads, with a licensed examiner sitting beside you. There is no exception for video calls, remote proctoring, or any form of online testing. If you submit a video recording of yourself driving, or take a road test via Zoom or similar platform, the state will treat it as fraudulent. Your license will be suspended or revoked, and you may face additional penalties including fines or criminal charges for license fraud.
This rule applies whether you are taking your first road test as a new driver, retesting after a suspension, or renewing a commercial license. The examiner must observe your actual driving decisions, your physical control of the vehicle, your awareness of other drivers and pedestrians, and your response to unexpected situations — none of which can be assessed through a screen.
Key Takeaways
- Road tests must be taken in person with a licensed examiner in the vehicle; no state accepts video calls, Zoom, or remote testing as valid.
- Submitting a fraudulent road test result — including a video recording — will result in license suspension or revocation and may lead to criminal charges.
- If your license was suspended for this reason, you will need to retake the road test in person at your state's DMV or testing center before you can drive legally again.
- Some states offer written tests online during certain circumstances, but the road test portion has never been conducted remotely and cannot be.
How states discovered Zoom road test fraud
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some states temporarily moved written knowledge tests online to reduce in-person contact. A small number of people misunderstood this change and believed they could also take road tests remotely, or they deliberately attempted to submit video recordings of themselves driving as proof of road test completion.
When these submissions were discovered — either because the video quality was obviously not from an official test, or because the examiner's name and signature did not match state records — the DMV suspended or revoked the person's license. The fraud was straightforward to catch because state testing centers have specific vehicles, specific routes, and specific examiners, all of which are documented in the official test file.
Some people also attempted to hire someone else to take the road test on their behalf, or to use deepfake or edited video to create a false test record. All of these are treated as license fraud.
What suspension means after a fraudulent road test
If your license was suspended because you submitted a fraudulent road test or attempted to take one via video call, your suspension is typically indefinite until you take a legitimate road test in person. You cannot drive legally during this time, and driving with a suspended license carries separate criminal penalties.
Before you can retake the road test, you may also be required to pay a reinstatement fee, complete a defensive driving course, or wait a set period of time — the exact requirements depend on your state and the severity of the fraud. Some states treat this as a misdemeanor offense, which means a criminal record in addition to the license suspension.
You will need to contact your state's DMV to find out what steps are required before you can schedule a new road test appointment. Do not attempt to drive until your license is officially reinstated.
How to schedule a legitimate road test after suspension
Once you have completed any required waiting period or additional steps your state imposed, you will need to contact your DMV to schedule an in-person road test. You will typically need to bring your current ID, proof of residency, proof of insurance, and the vehicle you plan to test in — which must be registered and inspected according to your state's requirements.
The road test itself usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, following traffic laws, parking, and response to common driving situations. The examiner will be in the vehicle with you the entire time and will give you directions as you drive.
If you fail the road test, you can usually retake it after a waiting period — typically a few days to a few weeks, depending on your state. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test, but each attempt requires a new appointment and may require a new fee.
Why video testing will never replace in-person road tests
A road test measures your ability to operate a vehicle safely in real-world conditions. An examiner needs to see how you handle steering, braking, and acceleration; how you respond to other drivers and pedestrians; how you check mirrors and blind spots; and how you make decisions under pressure. None of this can be reliably observed through a camera.
Video also cannot capture the examiner's safety assessment. If you make a dangerous move — swerving into another lane, failing to brake at a red light, or hitting a curb — the examiner needs to be able to take control of the vehicle when ready using dual brake pedals or other safety equipment. A remote examiner cannot do this and cannot protect themselves or the public.
For these reasons, every U.S. state and Canadian province requires road tests to be conducted in person. This is not a temporary rule or a rule that varies by circumstance — it is a fundamental requirement of the licensing process.
What to do if you were wrongly suspended for this reason
If you believe your license was suspended in error — for example, if you never submitted a fraudulent test and the suspension notice is a mistake — contact your state's DMV when ready with any documentation you have. Bring copies of your legitimate test records, correspondence with the DMV, or proof that you took your road test in person at an official testing center.
If the suspension was issued in error, the DMV can reverse it, though this process may take several weeks. If you have already been driving on a suspended license, you may still face penalties for that driving, even if the original suspension was a mistake. It is important to stop driving when ready and contact the DMV as soon as you discover the error.
If you are unsure whether your suspension is legitimate, call your state's DMV customer service line and ask them to review your file. They can tell you the reason for the suspension and what you need to do to have it lifted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online but the road test in person?
Yes. Many states offer online written knowledge tests, especially after the pandemic. However, the road test portion must always be taken in person at an official DMV testing center with a licensed examiner in the vehicle. You cannot mix online and in-person components — the road test is never remote.
What if I took a road test in person but the DMV says I submitted it via video?
Contact the DMV when ready and ask them to review your test file. Bring your appointment confirmation, any receipts or documentation from the testing center, and ask them to verify the examiner's name and the date of your test. If you took the test legitimately, the records should match.
Can I appeal a suspension for fraudulent road test?
Yes, you can request a hearing with your state's DMV. Bring any evidence that you took a legitimate road test in person, or that the suspension was issued in error. If you actually submitted a fraudulent test, an appeal is unlikely to succeed, but you can ask what steps are required to have your license reinstated.
How long does a suspension last for fraudulent road test?
The length varies by state. Some states suspend indefinitely until you pass a legitimate road test; others impose a minimum suspension period of 30 days to one year. Check your suspension notice or contact your DMV to find out the specific timeline for your state.
Will this suspension show up on a background check?
A license suspension will appear on your driving record. Depending on whether the fraud was treated as a criminal offense in your state, it may also appear on a criminal background check. This can affect employment, housing, and insurance applications.