A process of Getting Learner’s Permit
It’s not uncommon to feel uneasy about beginning the driver’s license process. It is a journey that involves feelings of thrill mixed with fear. Students are constantly wondering what if I can’t break, what if the car won’t turn, what if I am in an accident? You can never ask enough questions about the pending challenge of driving behind the wheel.
Driver’s Ed is the first step to building your confidence and equipping you with the mental readiness to sit in the driver’s seat. A series of classroom trainings and road practices together constitute the intensive preparation for a new driver. At the completion of Driver’s Ed, students take the written examination, which tests a student’s basic knowledge of the road. If a student passes, the DMV will issue a learner’s permit, which grants permission for students to begin gaining the 50 hours minimum of driving practice.
Once you complete the required hours of training and feel comfortable to take the road test, go to the DMV office again. As before, you might want to make an appointment to avoid the hassle of having to wait in a long line. The road test is the final obstacle you need to overcome in order to get your driver’s license.
A California DMV instructor will conduct the test. Make sure you have your auto insurance ready. Most importantly, you want to use the car that you are most comfortable operating. The best car will be the one that you have been using for your practice. Often times just a little hesitation or minor confusion in controlling the vehicle can ruin your big day. But don’t panic even if you do poorly. You will be allowed to come back and take the test again after two weeks.
The DMV instructor will judge your behavior behind the wheel against an itemized list. Things such as how long you press the gas pedal to start and whether you look over your shoulder when switching lanes will count toward your final score. Make sure you drive carefully and smoothly, keeping a necessary distance from other cars, watching speed, and demonstrating you are fully aware of the traffic around you.
Follow the safety rules and handle the car with confidence. The road test is not that difficult to pass if you indeed have spent the 50 hours behind the wheel.
If you pass, you will finally be issued your driver’s license – with a few provisions that is. Because you are under the age of 18, there are several restrictions on your license. These restrictions include no driving between 11 pm to 5 am in the evening, and not being able to transport other individuals under the age of 20 without an adult in the car with you. These rules are in place for good reason, to allow student drivers to gain the experience behind the wheel without the dangers of various distractions. Pay attention to these restrictions plus the other laws in place, and you will be on your way to safe and fun transportation. Avoid traffic violations, and you won’t be fined with a traffic ticket or sent to traffic school.