US Driving Test?

[TMDM 15]

Hello all,

I'm awaiting my AOS to be completed and in the interim will be looking to sit my US CA Driving test as soon as possible. I have had a full UK license for 7 years now and have completed the US written test yesterday. I'm now looking to arrange the behind the wheel test and am trying to determine whether I need lessons here or not. I'm very familiar with the roads and rules but just wanted to ask you guys if you think firstly A: is it worth getting lessons? And B: how does it compare to the UK one?

The UK one had me a bag of nerves and i'm just looking to see what i should expect

Thanks so much!

[Boiler 45,981]

a. No

b. No comparison

[TMDM 15]

a. No

b. No comparison

Thanks for your response. I too am from Wales! Would be good to hear your experience of the test.. I fear they might fail me for silly things.. like the hand over hand technique on the steering here is strictly trained out of you in the UK so i'm trying to establish what is best for me to do!

thanks so much

[Boiler 45,981]

I remember pulling out and a cat ran across the road and I had to brake. Said something on the line of well I guess we will not need to do the emergency stop and the Examiner looked non plus.

Couple of turns later we were back in the car park and that was it.

All very odd but seemingly normal.

[Mindy & Raju 11]

Hello all,

I'm awaiting my AOS to be completed and in the interim will be looking to sit my US CA Driving test as soon as possible. I have had a full UK license for 7 years now and have completed the US written test yesterday. I'm now looking to arrange the behind the wheel test and am trying to determine whether I need lessons here or not. I'm very familiar with the roads and rules but just wanted to ask you guys if you think firstly A: is it worth getting lessons? And B: how does it compare to the UK one?

The UK one had me a bag of nerves and i'm just looking to see what i should expect

Thanks so much!

Hi there, I can't give a comparison but I think you should be fine. If you hadn't learned to drive a car or navigate traffic, I would say that taking lessons would be worthwhile. Its much easier to convert to traffic rules if you are already confident with the operation of a vehicle. Things like merging with traffic, braking safely, maintaining speed, decelerating smoothly, etc are the most difficult to manage without training or practice. As far as the attitude of examiners here, my advice is to take a very serious attitude about safety. You can't be too respectful of their purpose to ensure you are a safe driver.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Google California driving test and try to find some Cali discussion. Each state could be different in what is tested because it's a state thing. However most every Brit I have heard comment says their state driving test is much easier than their UK one.

[TMDM 15]

Great, thanks all. I will certainly look and likely take just an hours lesson to make sure what i'm doing is accurate and correct. Any other insights would be wonderful.

[CowBoE 429]

Sounds like you are experienced driver, so you shouldn't have a big problem,

but don't take the exam lightly as they can fail you on any glitches like...

1) Not making absolutely complete stop at the STOP sign.

In fact, standstill for at least 1 second, to not give them any impression that you didn't stop fully.

2) Be sure to always use turn signals to turn and change lanes.

3) Drive very close to the speed limit without going over.

4) And keep in mind that...now you are driving on the right side of the road...

[RM1987 3]

Hello all,

I'm awaiting my AOS to be completed and in the interim will be looking to sit my US CA Driving test as soon as possible. I have had a full UK license for 7 years now and have completed the US written test yesterday. I'm now looking to arrange the behind the wheel test and am trying to determine whether I need lessons here or not. I'm very familiar with the roads and rules but just wanted to ask you guys if you think firstly A: is it worth getting lessons? And B: how does it compare to the UK one?

The UK one had me a bag of nerves and i'm just looking to see what i should expect

Thanks so much!

The UK driving test made me so nervous and it eventually took me 4 attempts to pass. The test I took here in the US (WA not CA) lasted all of 10 minutes and I passed first time! I bumped the curb so many times I didn't think I'd stand a chance at passing, but they were the only things that I got marked down on!

I think if you are familiar with the roads and rules you'll be good with no lessons, but as mentioned before it's worth having a look at what CA expect from you in a driving test

Good Luck!