Driver's License California

[Gro 8]

I would like to hear from someone who has been through the whole driver's license ordeal in California - preferably recently.
How do I go on about getting myself a DL in Los Angeles when I have a greencard?

I'm 31 years old and have a western European Driver's License, been driving since the age of 18.

The CA DMV website has a checklist of what needs to be done to get a DL, one thing is "Complete an online or classroom Driver's Ed course and be enrolled in a driver's training (aka behind-the-wheel training) program OR be enrolled in an integrated Driver's Ed/driver's training (behind-the-wheel training) program." Should I do this or is this for kids the age of 16 who has never driven before? Very confusing and seems very unnecessary too?

They also keep talking about something called a "learner's permit" - what is this and do I need it?

What is a "California provisional permit" - is this also something I need?

If those two "permits" above are needed and I need to take some sort of driving lessons (I sure hope not) do I need insurance on the car in my name if I take the lessons with my husband and drive with his car? Or does the "test driving" go on his insurance? Or am I forced to take lessons with a driving school?

I assume I need to be insured on the car when I do the actual road test for the DL?

People keep saying it's so easy to get a DL in the US, but this looks like a a whole little project..? I thought I could just walk right in, take the written test and get a date to do the road test, but clearly not? =/

And one more thing, what class is the regular type of DL? In my country it's B, I assume it's not the same here?

 

Edited September 30, 2017 by Gro

[caliliving 606]

i got my driver license from canada. same thing, out of country i had to do a written test. i didnt study. i showed up and it was a two hour wait (yay DMV) so then i proceeded to read the questions on the test while i was waiting in the DMV. i passed the written and i literally had my permit or whatever it was and drove for a year and then on the last day possible i did my driving test and passed lol

you can drive on the provisinal license.  and you can do the driving test the VERY next day!!! 

you do NOT need a driving course.

basically, show up and do the written test. you have 5x to pass that day and then go back the next day

 

after being in LA so long, i have learned that the best time to go to the DMV is 430pm, right before they close:) 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

It's different in each state. In Texas I walked in did the written and driver's same day. Both were ridiculously easy.

 

B? Driving since 18? Are you from Sweden too? Maybe it's B in a lot of countries lol just funny

Anyhow, I realize I didn't help you in anyway, but I wish you luck. If you use the VJ search tool you will find tons of info on CA licenses.

[caliliving 606]

also, california gives DL to ANYONE in la. but yeah, you have a greencard so you are fine! you should just go there tomorrow and get the written test over with!  i think you pay 100$ and that covers the written AND The driving portion. if you don thave a car to use, you can rent one or use a friends (but make sure they have insurance and the insurance card on them in the car). inbox me if you have more quesitons. its not hard. dont stress.

[caliliving 606]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

It's different in each state. In Texas I walked in did the written and driver's same day. Both were ridiculously easy.

 

B? Driving since 18? Are you from Sweden too? Maybe it's B in a lot of countries lol just funny

Anyhow, I realize I didn't help you in anyway, but I wish you luck. If you use the VJ search tool you will find tons of info on CA licenses.

i dont think in CA you can in the same day bc u need to make an apt for driving. but who knows, just go back the next day haha but yeah, its simple. not sure about the wording on things - i think that confuses most people! LMAO! but yeah, anyone in CA can get a license anyways. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Just now, caliliving said:

i dont think in CA you can in the same day bc u need to make an apt for driving. but who knows, just go back the next day haha but yeah, its simple. not sure about the wording on things - i think that confuses most people! LMAO! but yeah, anyone in CA can get a license anyways. 

You need an appointment in Texas too but I made it when I was there since they had some extra time. 

[Gro 8]

1 minute ago, caliliving said:

also, california gives DL to ANYONE in la. but yeah, you have a greencard so you are fine! you should just go there tomorrow and get the written test over with!  i think you pay 100$ and that covers the written AND The driving portion. if you don thave a car to use, you can rent one or use a friends (but make sure they have insurance and the insurance card on them in the car). inbox me if you have more quesitons. its not hard. dont stress.

Thank you so much! I was wondering about the insurance, since where I come from the car is insured, not the people driving it. Here apparently me and my husband need one insurance each on the same car. So basically, I need to get myself an insurance before I can do anything in regards to getting my DL?

You mention a provisinal license, from what I understand it's only for those under the age of 18?

So the written test is valid for a year? How can you still drive before you have done the driving test? You must have someone with you in the car then I assume, as a teacher?

[Gro 8]

8 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

It's different in each state. In Texas I walked in did the written and driver's same day. Both were ridiculously easy.

 

B? Driving since 18? Are you from Sweden too? Maybe it's B in a lot of countries lol just funny

Anyhow, I realize I didn't help you in anyway, but I wish you luck. If you use the VJ search tool you will find tons of info on CA licenses.

Yes, Sweden.

I wish Cali was just as easy as Texas. The more I hear about this process the harder it seems, the more questions I have.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Just now, Gro said:

Yes, Sweden.

I wish Cali was just as easy as Texas. The more I hear about this process the harder it seems, the more questions I have.

I'm sure it will all become clear if you just go there. Just ask all your questions

And welcome btw! I thought so

[caliliving 606]

Just now, Gro said:

Thank you so much! I was wondering about the insurance, since where I come from the car is insured, not the people driving it. Here apparently me and my husband need one insurance each on the same car. So basically, I need to get myself an insurance before I can do anything in regards to getting my DL?

You mention a provisinal license, from what I understand it's only for those under the age of 18?

So the written test is valid for a year? How can you still drive before you have done the driving test? You must have someone with you in the car then I assume, as a teacher?

no, you get the insurance after. well, you need to be insured now on your husbands car to drive it. SOME insurances will allow an out of country ID, some wont.

 

when you drive in the driving test the CAR you used MUST be insured. it doesnt need to have your name on it, just be insured by THE PERSON who MATCHES the registration. 

 

no, you dont need someone in the car with you because you are older then 18 and you have a VALID license from another country.  but i wouldnt reccomend waiting that long. TBH i was from canada and i was insured in my car on my canadian license and kinda lazy to go do the driving test (young and stupid! HAHA)

 

so when your husband insured his car, he needs to add you to the insurances. 

 

but no, you dont need insurance to do a driving test. i used my friends car and i was NOT on her insurance.  where do you life in CA? just go to the DMV on monday and show them your GC, social and then do the written test.  it isnt hard.  after that, sign up to do the driving test. 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

Also - if you think this is hard wait until tax season. .. hahahaha I was reading for weeks just cause I'm gonna be darned if I'm gonna have to pay someone to do my taxes!! We are used to logging on - double checking the info and electronically signing - boom! NOT THE CASE HERE!

[caliliving 606]

2 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

I'm sure it will all become clear if you just go there. Just ask all your questions

And welcome btw! I thought so

california is easy and joke. you are thinking too much! please, just go to the DMV read the 2 or 3 study guide tests and do the written exam.  worry about that. you have 5 tries in that one day to pass. if not, you pay 10$ and go back the next day (i believe). 

 

 

[Gro 8]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

I'm sure it will all become clear if you just go there. Just ask all your questions

And welcome btw! I thought so

Yes I was thinking of just going and see what they say. The problem is that I would really like to avoid standing in a three hour line just be told I can't have the test because I don't have all the required permits and stuff. And the DMV site os a jungle! It just makes me even more confused, so it seems impossible to figure out the answers to my questions before going there. Hard to prepare then.

Thank you! I've been lurking for a while but haven't posted a whole lot.

[caliliving 606]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

Also - if you think this is hard wait until tax season. .. hahahaha I was reading for weeks just cause I'm gonna be darned if I'm gonna have to pay someone to do my taxes!! We are used to logging on - double checking the info and electronically signing - boom! NOT THE CASE HERE!

haha yes i used Turbo Tax and it was SOOO easy!! i also get $$ back every year! however, in canada we have crazy taxes as well so i knew that (although my parents always did my taxes). 

[caliliving 606]

Just now, Gro said:

Yes I was thinking of just going and see what they say. The problem is that I would really like to avoid standing in a three hour line just be told I can't have the test because I don't have all the required permits and stuff. And the DMV site os a jungle! It just makes me even more confused, so it seems impossible to figure out the answers to my questions before going there. Hard to prepare then.

Thank you! I've been lurking for a while but haven't posted a whole lot.

you have EVERYTHINGGGG you need!!!!! bring your out of country driving license tho!! make sure it isnt expired.  also, i believe i got a driving record from canada to prove i didnt have anything bad there.  but i didnt do that until after i did the written.  so i did the written and then i was able to get canada to send something in (i believe).  also, use the DMV tracker online to see what one has a shorter wait and i go at 430 and its uusually pretty dead (i misplace my license ALOT:/)