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First thing we think of after coming to new state is Driver License. As it is most important thing to commute hasle free, using our own vehicle to drive. Driving without DL is illegal and a hefty fine is imposed. Before giving driver license, the government wants to ensure that the person who will be driving the vehicle, should know the rules and regulations of the state. [ad1] As there could be multiple different rules and different meaning for the same thing in different state or country.
source : DMV california site
For example : The rules for driving in India implies to keep left .
However, driving rules in USA implies that we must keep right while driving. There are multiple road structure differences too. However for different states in USA the difference will be very less but still , it is must to know the rules and regulation before driving on the road. Recently, I went to Department of Motor Vehicles(DMV) for getting the Driving license. I am writing the down the steps I followed and required to make a DL in California state.
same as above link, but you may have to call “1-800-777-0133” for California Behind the wheel appointment .
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There are following 4 steps to get the Driving license :
1)Pass a written test containing questions regarding various rules and logic to drive in California state. 2) Get the learner’s permit/ temporary driving license for 60 days 3) Pass behind the wheel driving test ( a test conducted with DMV authorized driver sitting beside who ask the applicant to make various move on car . ) If the applicant follow the rules properly then Driving license is issued to the candidate.
** the permit/temporary license can be extended for one month if you are not able to schedule Behind the wheel within 60 days.
** these days mainly permits are given.
Teen’s Education for Driving License : GDL (Graduate Driver License ) : Most of the states in USA including California has started a program, Graduated Driver License (GDL). In which teens must complete certain milestones before obtaining DL. Most of milestones tasks are related to age and experience. so that risk can be minimized for first-time drivers.
In case teen has already completed Driver’s Education Course in another state, still out of state learner’s permit can not be used as proof of completion. Instead, the California DMV will accept one of the following: a) A completed “Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools” form (DL 33) completed by your out-of-state secondary school. You can request this form by calling (800) 777-0133 or pick one up at your nearest DMV office. b) A letter printed on school stationery and signed by a school official from your out-of-state secondary school stating that you completed a course equivalent to California’s as described in Section 10020 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
AGE Required for different stages for teen : a) 15 and half years old: Must take Driver’s Ed to get a learner’s permit. b) 16 years old: Eligible for a provisional license (with completion of driver’s education). c) 17 and half years old: Allowed to apply for a provisional permit without taking driver’s education. d) 18 years old and older: Allowed to apply for a driver’s license without getting a learner’s permit.
There is a rule AB-60 for California residents who can not provide legal presence proof in US but still they can get Driver License if the candidate satisfy the special regulation and required documents.
I prepared for few days to get ready for Driving license written test : For that you can read from the There are a lot YouTube videos and multiple other websites which you can search and learn to pass the test. Few things to remember are : Kids are most important then any other pedestrian and then bike riders then of course the right of way . you need to focus on posted speed, regulatory signs and the mirrors
Once you visit for written test, you must carry copy of latest I-94 if you are not US Citizen ( Don’t think that SSN will suffice. For every government related paper work you must carry latest I-94 copy) Along with that the age proof is required which could be SSN document or passport. After that you will be in the appointment queue which is comparatively shorter then non-appointment queue. Your appointment will be confirmed with time and last Name, First Name A candidate token will be generated and hand over to you and will be asked to wait until your token number display on the LCD monitor screen. Mean time you have to fill a form asking your personal details : name , address, age, physical disability etc. Once your token number is displayed with the counter number . You have to reach to the DMV associate who will verify your documents and will ask for Payment(Only Debit card, Check or Cash is accepted at DMV office). After that you will get a receipt which will contain a bar-code and then you would be asked to go to photo counter where your photo will be taken . Then you can go for online DMV test which you can start by scanning the bar code on your receipt. If you clear the required number of question (in case you answered wrong for any question, system will show you Red Cross and beside that correct answer for question) , the DMV technical assistant would give you a receipt with stamp on it showing that you can drive for 60 days before appearing for the behind the wheel test. If you get a temporary license ( which is typically, if you already have another country or state’s license) then you can drive alone for 60 days in the state. Otherwise you must have someone with state license beside you while you drive. After passing the written test, next step is to practice rules and learn driving the car in the state. My advice is , not to go on Highway/freeway or roads with limit more than 45 until you don’t have good confidence on you steering wheel, accelerator , mirrors and breaks You need to practice steering wheel , speed limits and the speed break on the road. If you have no experience or say no idea of holding the steering wheel , better take two three classes from driving school as they have specially equipped cars which can be controlled by co-driver in case driver make any mistake. Later you can practice on roads with less traffic and as you gain confidence you can start driving on regular streets. After this you have to appear for Behind the wheel test which you can schedule by online appointment or you may have to call ( I had to call 1-800 777-0133) and book the appointment If you drive carefully and follow rules and do not make any critical mistake then you will get the driving license in two weeks after passing behind the wheel test, otherwise you have to schedule another appointment. For learning rules and any other driving move you can search YouTube videos. For example I learned tricks for parallel parking and reverse driving a car.
One more important thing :” You must have minimum amount insurance as per limit set by state DMV, while you are driving on the road”
The fee for written test and behind the wheel is $33 . In this you can clear the written test in 3 attempts otherwise you have to repay it . After that Behind the wheel also has to be cleared in another 3 attempts otherwise again you have to pay for written test and behind the wheel .
State Identity Card:
You can use DL as identity card, but if you dont have that and not planning to get one in near future then you can apply for State Identity card, the procedure is same for appointment and getting the token.
After that you just have to tick on the column displaying state Identity instead of Driving License in the form which you fill after getting the token.
You will be charged $28 for state identity and it will be delivered to address mentioned in the form in two weeks.
NOC for Behind The wheel Test:
While you appear for DMV behind the wheel test , at the DMV center the examiner will check if you have required insurance viz: Damage waiver, Liability Insurance or Third Party Insurance, Road Side assistance, Personal Effect insurance etc.
So if you are going for Behind the wheel test then you must have these insurances covered otherwise DMV will not allow you to take the test.
So if you have to go for Behind the wheel test and you do not have a car, then either you can borrow from your friend or you can take a rental car.
If you are borrowing from your friend than that has to be decided few days earlier from your test date because you must be added to auto Insurance covered for your friend .
If you are taking rental car for driving test, be aware that you need to get an NOC (No Objection certificate) from the car rental company otherwise DMV will not allow you to take the test.
To get the NOC the rental car companies ask you for full Insurance for the car which includes mainly five type of insurance( it could vary from company to company) : CDW/LDW, SLI , PEI, RSA, TPI .
For more details about rental car insurance types you can read from the link :
Without full insurance they will not give you the NOC certificate.
From Airport Rental Center, San Jose I came to know that only three Rental Companies : Hertz, Enterprise and Payless Car , provides the NOC .
So when you are going to take rental car for test , compare the base rate and the insurance rates for these companies as they do charge a lot with insurance.
When I took the rental car from Payless rental car, the base price of the car was $9.78/day for the economic car , including tax and other charges it was $21/day but when i opted for full insurance, it amounted to $95/day and the third party liability insurance coverage was not good.
I have seen good coverage and better rates from Enterprise car rental.
SO compare the rates of insurances too when you are going to take rental car.
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