Driver's License California

[Gro 8]

3 hours 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. I'm not worried about the test itself, but good thing to know about the car! The front registration plate isn't attached (it's currently inside the car) so that might have to be done before taking the car for the road test. Thanks for the heads-up, I wouldn't have thought about it otherwise.

[LaughingBuddha 64]

14 hours ago, Gro said:

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?

 

From what I know, California doesn't recognize foreign driver license,

 

so you need to first do the writing tests (a lot of practices online) which is not very difficult, 2 days revisions should be fine for a driver from 18yrs old like you.  Once you pass the writing test, you will receive a temporary instruction permit, good for one year, during this one year, you can drive only in condition that there's another person holding a valid California driver license in the car. 

 

Before the instruction permit expires, you have 3 chances to pass the driving test, which I personally feel it highly depends on the examiners, but generally 1or 2 tests you can pass. And before taking test, go around the DMV to get familiar with the roads, it can be helpful of driving test.

 

This is my personal experience, for your references only.

Good luck.

 

[LaughingBuddha 64]

And yes, when you take your driving test, you need to have : An instructor with you (any person who holds a California driver license), a car, and the car's insurance must have your name on it.

These tree are mandatory documents when you check in for your driving test.

Be aware that do NOT drive the car by yourself with the instruction permit, it is not lawful, and the examiners can be very serious on this issue.

Be accompanied by a person with a California driver license.

 

Since you have been driving a long time, you should not have a problem to pass the writing and driving test, just be prepared with the required documents, it should be fine.

 

Good luck.

 

[Suudsu 66]

14 hours ago, Gro said:

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?

You want to apply for a learner's permit for a Class C driver's license. The application fee is only $33.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/fees/driverlicense_fees

 

Based on holding a license from outside the US, you will have to take a written test (on a computer), as well as a drive test.

 

Since you are over 18, follow these instructions:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#two500

 

When you complete the written test, you will get a printout with your provisional license. This lets you drive the car on your own. It doesn't count as ID though, because it doesn't have your picture on it. I continued to carry my foreign driver's license during that period. As they say on the website above:

>> You will then be issued a permit if you have never been licensed before. When you practice, you must have an accompanying adult who is 18 years of age or older, with a valid California license. This person must be close enough to you to take control of the vehicle if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone.

 

>> If you have a license from another country, you will be required to take a driving test. If you have a license from another state, the driving test can be waived.

 

Because you have a license from another country, you will receive a provisional license.

 

You then need to make an appointment to do the driving test (which you can set up while you're there for your written test). You need to pass the driving test within 90 days (from memory). Once you pass the drive test, you will get another temporary paper license, and they will mail you the real plastic card a few weeks later.

 

Some of the DMVs in the big cities are really backed up, and it can be a long wait for an appointment. But check around. If you're willing to drive a little bit to a small town, you can find one with appointments the next day (I've done this a few times).

 

Also, California will start issuing REAL-ID compliant licenses in January 2018, on the applicant's request. That may be desirable for you. But there isn't much information on that, yet, and as with everything about REAL-ID, it could well be delayed.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/realid

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

2 hours ago, LaughingBuddha said:

From what I know, California doesn't recognize foreign driver license,

 

so you need to first do the writing tests (a lot of practices online) which is not very difficult, 2 days revisions should be fine for a driver from 18yrs old like you.  Once you pass the writing test, you will receive a temporary instruction permit, good for one year, during this one year, you can drive only in condition that there's another person holding a valid California driver license in the car. 

 

Before the instruction permit expires, you have 3 chances to pass the driving test, which I personally feel it highly depends on the examiners, but generally 1or 2 tests you can pass. And before taking test, go around the DMV to get familiar with the roads, it can be helpful of driving test.

 

This is my personal experience, for your references only.

Good luck.

 

If you already have a drivers license you do NOT get the temp permit where you need another driver with you, you get a temp permit that you can drive with on your own. You should have your own country license with you when you do so. Technically you should get a CA license within 10 days of taking up residence. In practice this is impossible, but make sure you have your tests booked and keep confirmation of those in the car with you in case of traffic stop - I know someone who got fined $400 for not having a CA license after moving!!!

 

i can't speak for all DMVs but I know a number of people who've moved and retaken a CA test and they definitely seem to do far less with experienced drivers than a test for a new driver - hand signals and all the car indicators etc before you go but then it's just basically seeing that you can drive safely at the speed limit. Everyone I personally know who has done this has passed first time.

 

 

Edited September 30, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[LaughingBuddha 64]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

If you already have a drivers license you do NOT get the temp permit where you need another driver with you, you get a temp permit that you can drive with on your own. You should have your own country license with you when you do so. Technically you should get a CA license within 10 days of taking up residence. In practice this is impossible, but make sure you have your tests booked and keep confirmation of those in the car with you in case of traffic stop - I know someone who got fined $400 for not having a CA license after moving!!!

 

i can't speak for all DMVs but I know a number of people who've moved and retaken a CA test and they definitely seem to do far less with experienced drivers than a test for a new driver - hand signals and all the car indicators etc before you go but then it's just basically seeing that you can drive safely at the speed limit. Everyone I personally know who has done this has passed first time.

 

 

You should be right, coz I never had any driver license before, so it should be different with people who hold a foreign driver license.

 

[cosmonauts 125]

I had a foreign license when I applied for my CA DL and NOBODY asked for it, they gave me a permit just like anybody else. Even though I had years of driving experience, driving with an experienced American driver helps if you're not used to the different laws here (4 way stops for example). They check your every move so exaggerate things a bit like coming to an absolute stop at stops signs. The written exam is easy but you should still read the manual on the DMV website. I have a friend who took the exam in Chinese and told me she was allowed a few more mistakes than in the English version (I took it in English)

 

Also they didn't ask for my name to be on the insurance, just for the car to be insured.

Makings appointments is always better than waiting in line. I only have experience in the DMVs in the Inland Empire but I've never waited more than 20 minutes with an appointment. I took the behind-the-wheel exam as soon as possible because I needed the DL as ID as well.

 

Like others mentioned, if you can, go drive around the DMV to familiarize yourself with the area.

 

 

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

36 minutes ago, tamaara said:

I had a foreign license when I applied for my CA DL and NOBODY asked for it, they gave me a permit just like anybody else. 

 

A provisional license that allowed you to drive on your own, or a learner permit that you needed someone else with you? ...and if the first, how did they know that you can drive already if you didn't show them your existing license?!

[cosmonauts 125]

51 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

A provisional license that allowed you to drive on your own, or a learner permit that you needed someone else with you? ...and if the first, how did they know that you can drive already if you didn't show them your existing license?!

A learners permit, they didn't care about previous experience. They probably can't check the veracity of your foreign license. But the whole process didn't take long.

[Gro 8]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, all. This helps so much.

So just to clarify:

Do I need the insurance in my name or is it fine that the car is insured in my husband's only when I drive with the provisional license?

Do I need the insurance in my name or is it fine that the car is insured in my husband's only when I take the actual road test?

I'm studying the online tests as we speak, I hope those will be enough (all five from CA DMV website and also a few I found on another site).

[Gro 8]

1 hour ago, tamaara said:

I had a foreign license when I applied for my CA DL and NOBODY asked for it, they gave me a permit just like anybody else. Even though I had years of driving experience, driving with an experienced American driver helps if you're not used to the different laws here (4 way stops for example). They check your every move so exaggerate things a bit like coming to an absolute stop at stops signs. The written exam is easy but you should still read the manual on the DMV website. I have a friend who took the exam in Chinese and told me she was allowed a few more mistakes than in the English version (I took it in English)

 

Also they didn't ask for my name to be on the insurance, just for the car to be insured.

Makings appointments is always better than waiting in line. I only have experience in the DMVs in the Inland Empire but I've never waited more than 20 minutes with an appointment. I took the behind-the-wheel exam as soon as possible because I needed the DL as ID as well.

 

Like others mentioned, if you can, go drive around the DMV to familiarize yourself with the area.

 

 

 

After reading som more I think you are correct about this, I will get one of those permits at most, not the provisional. From what I can see on their website a provisional license is for those who are under the age of 18. So I will have to drive with my husband in the car at all times until I pass the road test.

[Gro 8]

Is there a reason for why there are so many different rules for different people here in the US? In my home country it's the same for everyone, or was at least when I took my license. The US even have different traffic rues for different people depending on their age. It's so weird.

[cosmonauts 125]

3 hours ago, Gro said:

Is there a reason for why there are so many different rules for different people here in the US? In my home country it's the same for everyone, or was at least when I took my license. The US even have different traffic rues for different people depending on their age. It's so weird.

I know, it's strange but it is what it is. I even recently learned that the even the DMV is not in all states D:

 

3 hours ago, Gro said:

Do I need the insurance in my name or is it fine that the car is insured in my husband's only when I drive with the provisional license?

Do I need the insurance in my name or is it fine that the car is insured in my husband's only when I take the actual road test?

I'm studying the online tests as we speak, I hope those will be enough (all five from CA DMV website and also a few I found on another site).

I think your husband's insurance is ok in both cases. You don't have a valid US license now so I don't think any insurance company will let you add your name to it. But make sure you add yourself as soon as you get your license. I took the behind-the-wheel exam with a friend's car and it wasn't a problem.

 

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

4 hours ago, tamaara said:

A learners permit, they didn't care about previous experience. They probably can't check the veracity of your foreign license. But the whole process didn't take long.

FYI, we got provisional/temporary licenses that allowed us to drive on our own, and they did check our foreign licenses to give us these. No learner permits. If you already had a drivers license I'm not sure why you only got a learner permit? It took us nearly 2 months to get an appointment for  a behind the wheel test, having only a learner permit wouldn't have been at all practical for driving to work etc.

Edited October 1, 2017 by SusieQQQ

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

20 minutes ago, tamaara said:

 

I think your husband's insurance is ok in both cases. You don't have a valid US license now so I don't think any insurance company will let you add your name to it. But make sure you add yourself as soon as you get your license. I took the behind-the-wheel exam with a friend's car and it wasn't a problem.

 

 

GEICO gave us car insurance on our home country licenses. We just updated them when we got our CA licenses.