Passing my driving test in Los Angeles

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Clinton167

Thanks guys - I do have a social security card. In terms of the insurance thing, I've researched it and with most insurance companies I can get a license with a UK license but need to get a California license within 30 days.
I think I will need to take my test here (though I'm feeling more positive about it today - have changed instructors - I realized that mine is shouting at me too much which leads me to mess up even more). I can't deal with living in L.A for two weeks without being able to drive!

so, you're coming here as a newly-licensed, inexperienced driver who will then have to learn to drive on the right side of the road and become licensed in CA? no wonder you're on the verge of a nervous breakdown! i do hope you'll be careful.

[Clinton167]

Originally Posted by katenik

so, you're coming here as a newly-licensed, inexperienced driver who will then have to learn to drive on the right side of the road and become licensed in CA? no wonder you're on the verge of a nervous breakdown! i do hope you'll be careful.

I will be careful. However, I started driving lessons four years ago, had them for a year and half and then moved to Oregon, got my permit and drove for a year on that (always with someone else in the car). I did book my test, but got there too late so ended up not ever getting a license. I've only been back a few months, so driving on the right is still pretty natural for me, and I've been having lessons for a long time.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Clinton167

I will be careful. However, I started driving lessons four years ago, had them for a year and half and then moved to Oregon, got my permit and drove for a year on that (always with someone else in the car). I did book my test, but got there too late so ended up not ever getting a license. I've only been back a few months, so driving on the right is still pretty natural for me, and I've been having lessons for a long time.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

you took driving lessons for a year and a half? is there some issue (a disability or something) that you haven't mentioned that is making it difficult for you to become a licensed driver? most teens try to get their permits at age 15 1/2, take the required hours of formal instruction, and then drive supervised until as soon after their 16th birthdays they can schedule a road test. adults take even less time. why are you over-preparing and making yourself crazy?

[Clinton167]

The issues are:
1. Over here, we don't generally learn to drive with parents, we have licensed instructors. Some people get extra practice in a parent's car, but that wasn't the case for me as I only have one parent who doesn't drive. Lessons are at least $40 per hour, and it's easy to run out of funds, like I have a few times, and had to stop.
2. The UK test is extremely difficult compared to a lot of other countries - I have friends who have taken both, and they say the 45 minute UK one is far tougher than the American one. It's not uncommon here for people to learn to drive for years before taking the test, running out of funds along the way and thus stopping and starting.

This is interesting:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology...ring.transport

[katenik]

Originally Posted by Clinton167

The issues are:
1. Over here, we don't generally learn to drive with parents, we have licensed instructors. Some people get extra practice in a parent's car, but that wasn't the case for me as I only have one parent who doesn't drive. Lessons are at least $40 per hour, and it's easy to run out of funds, like I have a few times, and had to stop.
2. The UK test is extremely difficult compared to a lot of other countries - I have friends who have taken both, and they say the 45 minute UK one is far tougher than the American one. It's not uncommon here for people to learn to drive for years before taking the test, running out of funds along the way and thus stopping and starting.

This is interesting:

Tom Vanderbilt takes the UK driving test | Technology | The Guardian

i thought you said you took lessons for over a year in oregon, and then had to leave. perhaps, i misunderstood.

good luck to you, in any event.

[southdown]

Originally Posted by Clinton167

I've pretty much given up taking my UK driving test, mentally. I have my test scheduled but right now I feel so lousy about being so rubbish at roundabouts (a complete waste of time for someone moving to America) and all the lessons - $50 a go - are just draining much needed finances from my bank account.

I'm going to need to take the written and then the road test asap when I get to California. I've had experience on Oregon roads and passed the written test there, but I was just wondering how soon after you've passed the written and gotten your permit do you have to wait, generally, before you can take the road test? And I'm a bit confused as to which DMV locations offer the road test - it wasn't that clear from the website. I was under the impression it would be all of them.

Also, if anyone can share their experiences of an L.A. road test, it would be very much appreciated.

10 weeks to go and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Sigh.

Come and take your test in Texas! A simple computer test then a 5 minute drive around the block and bingo - one driving licence!

I have to admit to not reading the handbook at all, but still got 78% on the written and passed the practical without a single minus. Not sure if that's a good thing....

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by Clinton167

I've pretty much given up taking my UK driving test, mentally. I have my test scheduled but right now I feel so lousy about being so rubbish at roundabouts (a complete waste of time for someone moving to America) and all the lessons - $50 a go - are just draining much needed finances from my bank account.

I'm going to need to take the written and then the road test asap when I get to California. I've had experience on Oregon roads and passed the written test there, but I was just wondering how soon after you've passed the written and gotten your permit do you have to wait, generally, before you can take the road test? And I'm a bit confused as to which DMV locations offer the road test - it wasn't that clear from the website. I was under the impression it would be all of them.

Also, if anyone can share their experiences of an L.A. road test, it would be very much appreciated.

10 weeks to go and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Sigh.

Instead of driving yourself nuts about passing a test in the UK. I'd wait until the California move and take it then as it's so much easier than the tests here. I took my test in 86 and can't remember it much but the driving test is usually within a week or two of the written test.

I'm not sure where you will be but you have mentioned the Valley which is where I lived and always used the DMV at Van Nuys.

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by southdown

Come and take your test in Texas! A simple computer test then a 5 minute drive around the block and bingo - one driving licence!

I have to admit to not reading the handbook at all, but still got 78% on the written and passed the practical without a single minus. Not sure if that's a good thing....

I found it easy too. I took a test in Texas in '99 and do you know the instructor didn't make me do certain maneuvers because he said it was because it was close to a holiday weekend

[Clinton167]

Lol! I actually have my test booked for Nov 25th, so I'm going to go ahead and take it, and if I fail (as most first timers do), I'll have a think. At the moment, I think I will try to get my license here. It will be one less thing to worry about when I get to L.A - and there is already quite a long list!