anyone know about driving license test?

[Jei]

Well, I've been driving for over 15 years in Thailand but never driven in the U.S. Now that I moved out of downtown, I want to get a driving license here. I passed the writing test and got a "temporary driving license", very cheap looking piece of paper that lasts 2 months.

Now my question is that, can I drive alone with a temporary license? I talked to some friend, they told me there's 2 kind of paper you could get after writing test.
- "Permit" that if you want to drive, you need someone 18+ with a valid license sitting next to you.
- "Temporary License" that works just like normal license and I can drive alone.

I'm not too sure about this because some people told me I still need a second person next to me for the temp license So, anyone knows for sure if I can drive alone with my temp license? I planned to rent a car alone and take it to take the driving test.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

Isn't driver's license controlled by individual states? My guess it's that you'd have to check your state's regulations/laws on this. (Which state is this, anyway?)

[Jei]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

I'm in California.

[Murphie]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

According to the California DMV:

How to apply for a driver license if you are over 18

If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you take a job here or become a resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

To apply for an original driver license if you are over 18, you will need to do the following:

* Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service)
* Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
* Give a thumb print
* Have your picture taken
* Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
* Verify your birth date and legal presence
* Provide your true full name
* Pay the application fee
* Pass a vision exam
* Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 36 questions on the test. You have three chances to pass.(Sample Test)

Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.

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.

To take your driving test, you will need to:

* Make a driving test appointment. (Driving tests are not given without an appointment.) You may also call 1-800-777-0133 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, to make a driving test appointment.
* Provide proof of financial responsibility
* California Insurance Requirements

You have three chances to pass the driving test. If you fail, you may practice for a while, then make another appointment. There is no waiting period, but you must make an appointment. If you fail to successfully complete the driving test on the first attempt, you must pay a $5 fee for each additional driving test that is administered under an application for an original or renewal driver license.

After you pass your driving test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If you have not received your license after 60 days, call 1-800-777-0133 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

If your name is different on your birth date and/or legal presence document than the one you are currently using, you will also need to provide an additional acceptable document to establish your true full name, such as; a marriage certificate, dissolution of marriage, adoption or name change document that shows your current name.

Looks like you only need to worry about having someone licensed in the car with you during the training period. You should be fine to get your own license that you can use solo. Or if your old license is still valid, you don't have to get one at all...I think?

[Jei]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

This is from the hand book. I'm not too sure. Like my post above, some people told me that a "learner's permit" is different from a "temporary license." The hand book itself isn't very clear about these 2 things either.

ADULTS’ LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
If you have never been licensed, you must:
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Complete all the steps required for a permit.
• Bring your instruction permit with you to your drive test.
• Pass a behind-the-wheel driving test.
If you fail the first driving test, you must pay a $6 retest fee for a second or third attempt and wait until the next day or the next available appointment before you are tested again.

If you have an out-of-state or outof-country license, you must:
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Complete all the steps required for a permit. (A temporary license will not be issued if your visual acuity is worse than 20/70 in both eyes together.)
• Surrender your valid out-of-state driver license. Your out-of-state license will be invalidated and returned unless you are applying for a commercial license.
NOTE: Driving tests for holders

of out-of-state or U.S. territory licenses are normally waived.
However, the department may require a driving test for any
type of application. Driving tests are required for out-of-country
license holders.

A little note is that, I have both Thai and International driving license. So I might not fall under the first catagory (If you have never been licensed)

[Murphie]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

I believe you fall under the second category. Since you have driven before, just in another country.

[Feba]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

Your temp license sounds exactly the same as mine- which was just a temp thing to use until I got my laminated card. It will depend widely on what state you're in. I imagine the DMV has a help line or something you can call.

And dang, driving 15 years? I thought you were in your mid-20s D:

[Vyuru]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

A learner's permit allows you to learn how to drive, you are restricted to having someone with you who has at least 4-5 years driving experiance and 20 yrs+

A temporary license is what you get after you take the written test, it takes a few weeks for them to get you the laminated version.

If in doubt, ask the DMV peeps!

Oh, and also, all temporary/driver's license are written on from left to right on the wide side.

All permits are written on from left to right on the shorter side.

So like:

----------------------
|Vana'diel***pic!|
|Vyutag577****|
|issue date blah|
---------------------

That would be a temp/driver's license. If you rotated that 90 degrees, and had the writing from the top down, that'd be a permit.

Editing stupid fake card

[Feba]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

Again Vyuru, it would depend on the state. It's not a good idea to make sweeping generalizations like that.

I know i've seen licenses that were done in a different color and marked "PERMIT" from one state, instead of being flipped.

[Jei]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

I'm pretty sure I have to take the behind wheel driving test before I get a laminated one?

[Feba]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

It will depend. If you have a license from another country and can pass a written test, some states might give you a license, others might require you to pass a driving test as well.

[Vyuru]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

Again Vyuru, it would depend on the state. It's not a good idea to make sweeping generalizations like that.

Thanks Feba, I should have mentioned that that is the case in Washington State.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

Did anyone use Google? >_>;

According this, temporary license is good up to 60 days for operating vehicles. Nothing about needing another person in the car.

[Murphie]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

See, I don't think he even needs to worry about the Temp license. He should be able to walk right in and take the test for a regular one.

[InuTrunks]

Re: anyone know about driving license test?

Honestly, I would goto the DMV tomorrow and talk to them, they will be much more suited to handle this. My advice, go early.