News

Is your vehicle ready for the road skills test?  (Published 08-06-2020)

The Manatee County Tax Collector "The Road Test Experience" videos help customers
prepare for their driving tests. Vehicle inspection window clings and banner reinforce
the importance of the vehicle.
View the videos on our driver license road test videos page.

You may be ready for your road skills driving test, but is your vehicle? The Manatee County Tax Collector has produced "The Road Test Experience" videos on taxcollector.com to help customers prepare for the test with key points to remember. The videos can be viewed on a mobile device, tablet or computer and one of the videos focuses on the driver's vehicle. To reinforce the message, colorful window clings in both English and Spanish have been installed at the Driver License Office, 904 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton, where the driving tests are administered. If the customer has missed the information and sees it before they enter, they can check their vehicle, and reschedule if needed. A social media campaign also informs drivers of their vehicle's importance in taking their test.

"Many drivers preparing for their road skills test do not realize that their vehicle might end their test before they even get to the road," said Tax Collector Ken Burton, Jr. "In the past few months, over 60 vehicles have failed the inspection, meaning the test had to be rescheduled."

Some of the equipment that must be in working order are the brake lights, turn signals, doors opening from both the inside and out, and the gas tank must not be empty. If any one of these things is inoperable, the test ends before it begins. This is where the Vehicle Inspection video comes into play because it takes the driver through the inspection process.

"The Road Test Experience" video series condenses the most important information and offers key points to remember for each of the maneuvers customers must perform during the test. Examples of a Road Test, Parking on a Hill, Three-Point Turn, Backing, Straight-in Parking, Quick Stop and Vehicle Inspection have helped thousands of driver candidates, who have given them great reviews.

Manatee County residents can schedule an appointment and review new service protocols in place for the safety of both customers and staff on taxcollector.com.

A complete inspection checklist can be found in the Manatee County Tax Collector's Driving Skills Road Test publication. For more driving test information, The Florida Driver's Handbook (in English, Spanish and Creole) is available on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' handbooks and manuals page.


The mission of the Manatee County Tax Collector's Office is to perform our duties with integrity and respect, focusing on innovation and serving with excellence.
Manatee County Tax Collector is a 2011 Governor's Sterling Award Recipient.