Test the brakes on a dry, clean, reasonably smooth and level roadway. A true braking test cannot be made if the roadway is wet, greasy, or covered with loose dirt because all the tires will not grip the road equally. Testing is also adversely affected when the roadway is crowned, throwing the weight of the vehicle toward the wheels on one side; or when the roadway is rough, making the wheels bounce.

Test the brakes at different vehicle speeds, with both light and heavy pedal pressure. Locked brakes and sliding tires do not indicate brake efficiency, since heavily braked but turning wheels will stop a vehicle in less distance than will locked wheels.

Because of a higher deceleration capability, a firmer pedal may be felt at higher deceleration rates.