Wintersong

It's been a while for me, but I don't recall ever having to show my UK license or sign to say I'd received any instruction. I just booked the test and that was that (in CA).

As I said, faulty memory could be to blame so don't quote me on that!

Pulaski

Me neither, in NY.

tom169

I didn't either recently in NC. Made no difference that I had a UK licence.

dj6372

I certainly didn't show my UK licence, they looked at my Visa, I took the 'written' test the same day, Which isn't "written' it's multi guess on a PC, were you have 4 answers, 2 of which are beyond stupid, one that's hmmm maybe, and obviously 1 correct, I did no revision and passed.
They issued me with a 'temporary licence'.
I took the excruciatingly difficult test about 6 weeks later (first booking I could get) and passed.


As a side note I know we often discuss how easy the tests are, but during a phone in on the local KROQ channel a lady admitted to failing the written test 10 times, and the driving test 15 times. She eventually passed and gawd help us, is now active on the murderways of SoCal

ubernathan

Likewise for MA. IIRC took theory test[*] obtained learner permit, booked road test. Took 1 lesson to learn how to pass test, took test.
[*] theory test tests for knowledge of exactly what fines and suspension periods there are for various stupid road tricks.

roberth1970

The CA written test is easy, I think there are two things you should look up/know: 1) blood alcohol levels, 2) Which way to point the wheels when parked on a hill. I think those are the only ones where knowing, as opposed to deduction/experience helps (assuming you have a basic familiarity with driving in the US).

Asg123

Agreed, you need to memorize 1) (and maybe one or two other things). But 2) is common sense.

sherbert

Look online for videos of a CA driving test for what to expect. Take a dummy quiz online.

Written: They always ask alcohol-blood levels. Also make sure to read about what to do when its foggy and speed/lane restrictions on towing trailers. It's all common sense really.

Practical: Make sure to drive AT the speed limit (not below it, they will flag this as incorrect) and make sure to look over your shoulder for *every* lane change. Turn right on red if at the lights and there is no sign telling you not to. And a good tip is that the test does not end until you turn off your engine IN THE CAR PARK. Obey ALL signs in the car park. Many people fail because they do not obey a stop sign in the car park etc. And know the hand signals for left/right/slowing down (they ask you these before you set off). Also, you can drive around the roads near the dmv before your test so you get to know where the stop signs are, speed restrictions, school crossings etc.

Good luck!

Pulaski

Why wouldn't you? ..... even when you're not taking a test?

sherbert

There are these things called wing-mirrors right?

Pulaski

Also blind spots.

There is a piece of road along side your car where a passing vehicle, or one you are passing, is too far forward to be seen in the door mirror, but not far enough forward to be visible from the corner of your eye.

sherbert

I am well aware of what blind spots are (and own a sports car with dangerous dead angles on both sides) which is why I have blind spot mirrors on both wing mirrors et voila. Back to the thread please.

GeoffM

For the driver with the UK license it's easier but you have to convince the DMV to accept that yes you are legal to drive. I had to ask for the supervisor - turned out she was - so went back later and spoke to somebody else who actually knew what to do. My wife, a few weeks later, ended up with a provisional (?) license and technically wasn't allowed to drive on her own. Again, had to go back and get the proper temporary license.

IIRC the theory test is 30 multiple guess questions correct out of 35. Speed limit in active school zones was one I got wrong.

Make sure the vehicle you use for the test is roadworthy - no lamps out, horn works, etc. They test that for your driving test, bizarrely, though any chance of a quick inspection is good IMHO given the state of many cars here.

markonline1

I remember going for an advanced driving lesson once. I checked over my shoulder every time I changed lane because I thought that's what they wanted to see. They didn't. I was told if I checked my mirrors regularly and correctly, I would be aware of my surroundings and whether anything would potentially be in my blind spot, so I didn't need to look over my shoulder each time. Makes sense too. That being said, if you don't look over your shoulder during the CA driving test, they'll deduct marks. I didn't when moving into a cycle lane and they dropped marks.

markonline1

By the way, make sure you know all your hand signals (they are different to back home), they test you on those before you leave the facility.