Driver's License California

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 minutes ago, caliliving said:

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). 

I want to see the calculations... control freak... lol

[caliliving 606]

Just now, Suss&Camm said:

I want to see the calculations... control freak... lol

hahaha yeah i dont think it works that way in america:/ unfortunately. its weird! somet things are weighed more then others! i dunno.  but you wont get audited unless you make A load of money!!! just write off everything lmaooo

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

2 minutes ago, caliliving said:

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:/)

We don't have driving records that you can request. I think it goes on a police report... not sure

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

1 minute ago, caliliving said:

hahaha yeah i dont think it works that way in america:/ unfortunately. its weird! somet things are weighed more then others! i dunno.  but you wont get audited unless you make A load of money!!! just write off everything lmaooo

 

I calculated everything using instructions guides and tables - worked fine.

[Gro 8]

Alright, thank you so much, caliliving. Your explanations are better than the info on the DMV website. Really good to know I don't need to have an insurance until I have actually passed both tests and start driving.

 

I'll go have a try next week then to see what happens. Would've been so nice to be done with that part. I don't need to drive at this moment but it would be nice to have the card now for when I do need to drive, so I don't have to think about this then.
 

[Gro 8]

10 minutes ago, 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!

We cheated, we went to some tax guy who fixed it for us.

Yes I sometimes miss the system we have in Sweden. But I guess the reason it's harder here is also because there's more "freedom" here, in Sweden the govt knows all about you, your earnings etc. Storebror does it all for you.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

6 minutes ago, Gro said:

We cheated, we went to some tax guy who fixed it for us.

Yes I sometimes miss the system we have in Sweden. But I guess the reason it's harder here is also because there's more "freedom" here, in Sweden the govt knows all about you, your earnings etc. Storebror does it all for you.

They still know your earnings here too, unless you purposely try to not let them know which you can do also in Sweden and which is tax evasion in both countries lol .The only thing it is, is a complex tax code and less electronically integrated system. It used to be similar in Sweden ....in the 70s... filing statuses like married and single and many other things. Had a long convo with my mom about it

Edited September 30, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[caliliving 606]

8 minutes ago, Gro said:

We cheated, we went to some tax guy who fixed it for us.

Yes I sometimes miss the system we have in Sweden. But I guess the reason it's harder here is also because there's more "freedom" here, in Sweden the govt knows all about you, your earnings etc. Storebror does it all for you.

Yes send me a PM if you need more details or moral support:) ha i was 22 when i got mine and just walked in and did the written test! like i said, they have at least 2 tests there plus i think their are 2 online. do them and most of the questions are the same! i got like 2 wrong on each but passed first try! just do your written and like i said, you have a full year to decide to go do the driving test! but no insurance needed. and like i said, the car you use needs to be insured to the person it is registered in!  if you are really worried, you can pay a driving school 100$ or something and they will let u use the car and give you an hour refresher course before!  i would just be comfortable with the dmv area you go to and the streets around there! if you drive in that area alot, you will be fine.  i hear sweden is alot like canada and in canada we have to do 2 driving test and the second one is an hour long!!! the california driving test was 15min and NO freeways!!!! inbox me if you have anxiety:) lmao! 

 

[databit 328]

Make sure the car you use for the test has all working parts: lights, horn, side mirrors, wipers, nothing can be broken. It should also be washed for visibility through the windows. Don't wear sunglasses, because the tester watches your eyes. Keep both your hands on the wheel; if you use a turn signal, put hands back on wheel immediately. Don't do anything without signaling. Know the arm signals, too. Don't back up or change lanes by mirrors--turn around and look. 

 

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

7 minutes ago, databit said:

Make sure the car you use for the test has all working parts: lights, horn, side mirrors, wipers, nothing can be broken. It should also be washed for visibility through the windows. Don't wear sunglasses, because the tester watches your eyes. Keep both your hands on the wheel; if you use a turn signal, put hands back on wheel immediately. Don't do anything without signaling. Know the arm signals, too. Don't back up or change lanes by mirrors--turn around and look. 

 

Good tips but If he has taken and passed the Swedish exam he won't have a problem here

 

[Boiler 45,541]

US driving tests are a joke, you have to try really hard to fail.

[Orangesapples 1,954]

I just got my license today! I'm in orange county though but I don't think it'd that different. 

Book an appointment with the dmv (you might check yelp for reviews in order to know which dmv would be best) and if you're too impatient, just go to a dmv in the afternoon after 3:30. Bring two documents as proof of your address (really important), your green card, fill in the application there, go to the no appointments line and they'll tell you what to do. The fee is around $30(i forgot the exact amount). They will test your vision and if it's before 4 they will have you take the written test. It's really easy, you can take a look look at the sample test on the dmv CA website. If you pass, they will give you a permit to drive with another licensed driver in the car and once you have your permit you can book your behind the wheel test on the next day. You can book it at another dmv, it doesn't have to be the same one. Some DMVs are really busy (appointments only available after more than a month) so check different locations if you want to get your license faster. For the test, you need to appear with a CA licensed driver with valid insurance for the car you'll be driving but you don't need to be on the insurance. If you're an experienced driver, you'll have no problems passing. If not, practice as much as you can (LA traffic is insane). After you pass they give you a temporary license and you can drive with it until you receive your regular license in the mail. So that's it, I hope I helped. 

Edited September 30, 2017 by Orangesapples

[Orangesapples 1,954]

1 hour ago, databit said:

Make sure the car you use for the test has all working parts: lights, horn, side mirrors, wipers, nothing can be broken. It should also be washed for visibility through the windows. Don't wear sunglasses, because the tester watches your eyes. Keep both your hands on the wheel; if you use a turn signal, put hands back on wheel immediately. Don't do anything without signaling. Know the arm signals, too. Don't back up or change lanes by mirrors--turn around and look. 

 

Are you sure about sunglasses? The sun in southern California is pretty strong and the sun was low during my test so I was wearing sunglasses and the examiner didn't say anything about them. Without them, the sun would have blinded me too much 

[caliliving 606]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

US driving tests are a joke, you have to try really hard to fail.

haha funny, i failed ! i had 13 wrong, in my defence i was supposed to use my one friends car but that failed thru and i had to use another car, anyways, it was the LAST day i could do it before my permit expired, and i couldnt retake it, as it was 5pm! i begged her that i was a strong driver with a perfect record and she said 'i hope i am not making a mistake' and passed me:) Never wait until the last minute folks!

 

 

[Gro 8]

Oh I'm not worried about the tests at all, the ones in my home country are much harder and I passed those without issues.

I'm just worried about the actual process (I read about permit this and permit that, age this and age that, insurance this and insurance that etc etc), seemed like a jungle to me. I feel better about it now though, hearing the experience from others who went through it as well. Will definitely go Monday or Tuseday to at least have the written test done. I have the weekend to practice the online tests.

Thank you all for your replies, it helps a lot!