I recently got transferred to bay area from Hyderabad India. And the first most important thing that I had to do was to get California driver's license. Once I got my license I realised that there are certain things which I was not aware of and did not find online. So, I am writing my experience with DMV and the process I followed to get California driver's license.
Steps that I followed are:
Some questions that I had before getting driver's license are as follows:
Q. My temporary permit is expiring can I extend it?
A. Yes, you can. But it depends upon the discretion of the DMV guy to whom you approach. If you have valid reason for not passing the behind the wheel driving test before the expiry of the permit then you can get it extended. Recently one of my colleague got extension in San Jose DMV. While one of my other colleague did not get the extension and got learners permit.
Q. I am going to have take my driving test as the same DMV, can I get the same examiner?
A. One of my friend attempted the driving test for the second time at the same DMV (Santa Clara, CA) and same examiner who tested him last time came but when he checked some docs and realised that he already tested him then he told my friend that he cannot test him again and asked some other examiner to test. He passed in second attempt.
Helpful links:
http://ryangaraygay.com/dmv-behind-the-wheel-driving-test-in-fremont-ca/
Steps that I followed are:
- Getting the "temporary/instructions" permit to drive in California: I went to Santa Clara DMV on Nov 6 2013. It took me about four and half hours without appointment, but with appointment it was taking only 20 to 30 minutes. I wrote the test and could barely pass it. I got 30/36 correct answers, which is the minimum requirement. After passing the test I got "temporary" permit because I had Indian driver's license. .Which means I can drive a motor vehicle alone for 60 days. Those who do not have either other state or other country driver's license , get "instructions" permit , which means they can drive only when another person having a permanent driver's license is sitting with them. Sometimes DMV guys do not ask if you have other countries driver's license, in that case you have to tell them and ask for "temporary" permit.
- Documents required for writing test are:
- Passport
- I-94
- Booking a behind the wheel driving test: Behind the wheel driving test can only be taken with appointment. You cannot just walk into DMV for behind the wheel driving test. Usually appointments are available only after 30 days. But if you call many times a day you may get an early appointment which got cancelled by someone. I called up on 16th evening and got first appointment on 17 Dec.
- Driving Test: On the test day I drove around the DMV in morning to familiarise with roads. In evening I took the test. Examiner instructed me to route around DMV. In the beginning only I made a mistake, I stopped at green signal while taking right turn. I stopped because there was a lady standing at sidewalk and all set to jump on crosswalk. But the examiner did not like it and marked it as a critical error. So, I flunked. Here I got to know that even though I flunked but the "temporary" permit still remains valid till its expiry data. I booked again for 26th Dec, this time prepared better than last time. But I got the appointment at San Jose DMV. It is a little far so I did not go there to check the route around DMV. Anyway this time I passed with 8 minor mistakes. (You are allowed to make 15 minor mistakes and 0 critical errors).
- Documents required are:
- Temporary permit
- Insurance copy of the vehicle
- Title of the car you are planning to drive. I had brand new car without number plate and title. So, I just told them that it is a new car and they searched for the car using VIN as on the insurance.
- Waiting for license: After passing the behind the wheel test it takes about 2 weeks to get the license but usually you get before that time.
Some questions that I had before getting driver's license are as follows:
Q. I am holding a temporary permit and if I fail in the behind the wheel driving test will I be able to continue driving with the temporary permit or the temporary permit will be cancelled and a new instructions permit will be issued?
A. The temporary permit will remain valid till the expiry of the permit. Even if you fail you can drive alone on the temporary permit.
Q. My temporary permit is expiring can I extend it?
A. Yes, you can. But it depends upon the discretion of the DMV guy to whom you approach. If you have valid reason for not passing the behind the wheel driving test before the expiry of the permit then you can get it extended. Recently one of my colleague got extension in San Jose DMV. While one of my other colleague did not get the extension and got learners permit.
Q. I am going to have take my driving test as the same DMV, can I get the same examiner?
A. One of my friend attempted the driving test for the second time at the same DMV (Santa Clara, CA) and same examiner who tested him last time came but when he checked some docs and realised that he already tested him then he told my friend that he cannot test him again and asked some other examiner to test. He passed in second attempt.
Helpful links:
http://ryangaraygay.com/dmv-behind-the-wheel-driving-test-in-fremont-ca/
A very informative and systematic quick guide you have put for going through the California Driving Test.
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