In California, how many times are you allowed to the driving test before having to get a new permit?
I have failed two driving tests and if I fail the third one and have to get a new permit, do I have to take driver's ed and behind the wheel training again? And do I have to wait six months again? I know I'm a good driver, but I get unlucky and run into random things that make me fail. [I don't literally run into things. I run into situations that I freak out about.]
What does the California DMV test you on for the driving test?
Your driving instructor SHOULD have reviewed the DMV test with you...but he/she did not...the following is helpful: The first 5 mins. of the drive test is simply identifying the controls within the car ~ headlights, wipers, defroster, emergency flashers, etc. EVERY driver needs to be familiar with the car they're driving. From there, the examiner will get in your car and direct you to drive around the IMMEDIATE neighborhood. Specific errors - called "Critical errors" are cause for immediate disqualification; not yielding to a pedestrian or car (right-of-way knowledge), hitting any curb, not stopping for a FULL 3 secs. at any stop sign, making an unsafe left turn (when approaching traffic has the right-of-way) or not looking over your shoulder(s) when changing lanes. Changing lanes is one of the most difficult tasks for new drivers. This includes entering the bicycle lanes. You MUST look over your right shoulder PRIOR to moving into a bicycle lane. Remember-bicyclists and joggers appear out of nowhere! Follow all the speed limits (within 9 mph above or below) and you'll pass. The drive test is 20 mins. and does NOT include parallel parking (between 2 cars) or freeway driving. You will be asked to pull over along a curb and back in straight line. Again, be careful not to hit the curb. Good luck!
Does the California DMV have walk in behind the wheel driving tests?
No, in California you must make an appointment to take your behind-the-wheel driving test.Even if it wasn’t a mandate, CA DMV lines are so long, you wouldn’t want to wait in them anyway.You can make a behind-the-wheel test appointment online or by calling 1–800–777–0133. Tests are usually booked 2–3 months out. If you need an appointment sooner than that, companies like YoGov can get you a road test appointment within 3–4 weeks.Here are the items you’ll need to remember to bring the day of your behind-the-wheel test:Vehicle registrationVehicle insuranceYour Learner’s Permit$36 Driver’s License feeAlso, to prepare, here is a video that’s gone near-viral on YouTube on exactly what’s on the test. I’m not sure where exactly in California you are, but here are behind-the-wheel pass rates by DMV where you can select your region.If you don’t have a car or licensed driver to take you to your road test, you have a few options. You can get a car through a driving school, see if a friend or family can accompany you with their car, or YoGov offers a car and driver for the California behind-the-wheel test which you can reserve ahead of time online.Good luck!
In California my friend is taking driver's test with my car. Does she need her own insurance to take the test? (My car insurance can cover her, too)
No. She (or whomever accompanies her to the DMV) must show that the car is currently insured. Don't even go in the building without your insurance card or policy, it is the first thing they will ask for.
How do I take my California permit test?
I passed my online driver's ed course a week ago and the forms that they mailed to me just came in. They mailed me the DL 44 sheets (2 white pages) and the OL 237 sheet (blue leaflet). I went into my local DMV to get the driver handbook, which was the first time I had ever been in one, and I felt so clueless. Now that I have these sheets, what do I do now? After I fill out the DL 44 sheet, can I just show up at the DMV and ask to take my permit test? What should I bring with me? Since the next appointment is in 3 weeks, should I just wait in the no-appointment line? And when it's my turn, what do I say to the person at the desk, (ie: I'm here to take my permit test. Here are my forms.) Basically, what do I do now? I'm the first one in my family to get a permit since everyone else waited until they were 18, so I'm stuck figuring stuff out by myself.
Can I take the California driving test without license plates?
I bought a new car and have not yet received license plates; however, I have the little sticker that goes on the windshield. The California DMV website states that before the driving test, the examiner will check the car for two license plates. Will I be able to take the test if I only have the little sticker on the windshield and no license plates?
Do I have to retake the driving test to renew an expired California driver's license?
Sometimes you do, but you can go at least two renewals without taking a test. If you renew your license online or by mail, they will require you to come in after two times.This happened to me. It is NOT easy!I took the written test when I was 16. I’m now 42. I went in for a renewal last year and to my surprise I was required to take the test. I didn’t even think twice. “I’m a smart person, and can take tests well. I’ll be fine.” I thought. I took the test on the computer without studying thinking my test taking skills would get me by. “You failed” the DMV worker said. What?! I failed?! He told me I could take it up to three times. I sat in the crowded DMV. No studying book. I had 18 questions and could miss 3. The problem is some of the questions don’t have to do with actual driving, so me knowing how to drive did nothing for me. Some of the questions asked me things like, “what is the fine for…”, “DUI results in an imprisonment of…”. I had no idea. Especially when the answers differed slightly. I was mortified. I never failed a test before! How was I going to tell my family that I failed my DL test and no longer had a license? Nope, not going to happen.Round two. I took the test again. This time I was very careful using my test taking skills because I had not studied. I was hoping that what I failed on the prior time would be on it because now I know those answers. Nope. Fail.Ok. It’s getting real, I thought. I have one more chance to take this test or I lose my license. I’m 42, with a job and children. How did I get myself in this situation? I grabbed the book. I speed studied for 5 minutes. I read things that weren’t pertinent to me, as well as anything I don’t feel I know well, such as how many feet away from a bicycle do I have to be? 3? Or 4?Take three. I stood in front of the computer and commenced the test. I was very careful. I went up to the counter. You passed. He said.So yes, you could be caught off guard and have to take the written test one day out of nowhere, and be scared by the DMV, with no warning.
Do you go on the freeway for the driver's license test in California?
In 99.999% of the time the driving test will take you around surface streets in the area of the DMV office you go to. The test rarely involves more that 20 minutes of actual driving. If you will be taking a driving test make certain that the car you use complies with ALL the requirements listed on Pages 10 & 11 of the Driver Handbook. While you are taking the test DON'T be nervous. The examiner is not going to ask you to do anything illegal, or try to trick you. They are simply there to determine if you can safely operate the car, and follow the rules of the road.
Driving: How can I get an earlier drive test appointment in California DMV?
I answered this elsewhere, but it seems to be a popular question on how to more efficiently get DMV appointments, so here’s the latest:→ UPDATE: The YoGov website now has limited next-week appointments available if you need an appointment within a few days, rather than waiting the usual 3–4 weeks. This is based on cancellations I believe and a quick look saw that they currently have next week appointments for the following metro areas.Los AngelesBay AreaSan DiegoThey may have more by now. I recommend checking the site for available appointments.DMV Website - 2 out of 5 starsYou can schedule on the DMV website but this is not very ideal and I don’t recommend it. For one, the form for the appointment is confusing, and you cannot easily search by dates or times that might work better for you, and you cannot modify appointments easily if something comes up. In addition, they don’t send you an email confirmation of the appointment.YoGov Website - 4 out of 5 stars (Preferred)I found a third-party service, via Google search, YoGov, that allowed me to schedule in a few seconds: You enter a few fields including the reason for your visit, and they’ll email you an appointment date, time, and location based on this. You can modify it if you need to as well.I used their scheduler to make an appointment for my third visit and I’m very happy I did. I wish I had it earlier and recommend you try it out if you need to go to the DMV in California.They can still make the form even better but compared to the DMV website, it’s significantly simpler, if only for the fact they send you a confirmation email.Other waysLet me know if you find anything else that makes it easy to visit the DMV, like ways to skip the line even when you show up with an appointment :)
Do I turn right on a red light in California DMV driving test?
Okay so my test is in 3 days, and I always have this question that I was wondering. So I am approaching a red light on the slow lane, and the instructor tells me to make a right turn. I stop and look to my left to check if the traffic is clear. It is clear. Should I make that turn? Or should I just wait for green light to make the right turn even if there was no car coming from the left. Will the instructor take off points for making that mistake?