Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When looking for a driving school, what questions should I ask?
A. When searching for a driving school, don’t make the mistake
that many shoppers do by only asking the cost of the course and
where their school is located. Instead we suggest you ask the following
16 questions.
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS (and short answers) can help you find a
quality driving school.
- How long has the school been in business? (Five years or more
is desirable).
- Does the school teach adults, seniors, handicapped, disabled,
and learning disabled people, or do they just teach teenagers?
(They should teach everyone, not just teens -- the instructors
must get additional training, and they're more skilled.)
- For driver’s education: does the school have a formal
driver's education curriculum as well as a home study course?
- For driver’s training: does the school teach a full curriculum
of the skills needed to drive and stay alive (curves, freeway,
city driving, and all the proper driving methods necessary to
pass their DMV driving test)?
- Is the school licensed, insured, and bonded?
- Will the school let you use their car for the drive test?
- Is the school a member of the Driving School Association of
California?
- Is the school a member of the Better Business Bureau?
- Is the school a member of the Chamber of Commerce?
- What is the price for your services? Does the cost include gas,
insurance and completion certificate?
- Are your driver’s training vehicles dual controlled, and
equipped with airbags and air conditioning?
- Do you provide assistance in passing the written and drive tests?
- Does your school train more than one student at a time, or are
your lessons private?
- If I sign up and pay for both the classroom and driving courses,
will I receive a discount?
- Can I pay for the behind the wheel lesson each time I go out
or do I have to pay for all lessons in advance?
- Do you accept all credit cards?
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT TEENAGE DRIVER’S EDUCATION LEARNER’S
PERMIT CLASS C (UNDER 18)
Q. How long must I keep my learner's permit if I am under 18?
A. You must maintain your learner's permit for a minimum of 6 months
or until you turn 18.
Q. How old must I be to start taking driver education classes?
A. Most schools will allow you to enroll as early as 15 years and
5 months. However, legally there is no age requirement for the classroom
portion of the course.
Q. How old must I be to apply for a learner's permit to begin driving?
A. Minimum age is 15 1/2 years old if you enroll in a private driving
school.
Q. What are the restrictions or provisions put on my learner's
permit?
A. You must drive with a licensed California driver 25 years of
age or older. You must have your parents' permission to apply for
a permit. Any alcohol in your system will result in permit suspension.
Possession of weapons, dropping out of school, or being convicted
of vandalism or graffiti will result in a license suspension.
Q. When I go down to apply for my learner's permit, what do I need
to take with me?
A. Application signed by your parents, $26 (cash or check), your
social security number, a certified copy of your birth certificate,
along with proof of completion of the driver’s education course
and enrollment in the behind the wheel portion of the course.
Q. Does my Mom or Dad have to go with me to the DMV when I apply
for a permit?
A. No, if your parents sign your application form you may apply
without them.
Q.. What type of test does the DMV require you to take to get your
learner's permit?
A. A 46 question written test (you may miss no more than 8), plus
two vision tests.
Q. Is it possible to obtain a learner's permit without taking a
driver education class?
A. You may apply for a learner's permit at the age of 17 1/2, but
you will not be issued a license until you either take a driver
education course, or turn 18 years of age.
Q. Do I have to apply for my learner's permit at the DMV closest
to my house?
A. You may apply for a learner's permit at any DMV in the State
of California.
Q. How many questions are you asked on your learner's permit quiz?
A. 46, and you cannot miss more than 8. If you do, you must wait
one week before taking another test.
Q. What's the best source of study material to prepare for the
learner's permit test?
A. California Driver Handbook, materials issued to you by your local
driving school.
Q. When I obtain my learner's permit, is it legal for me to begin
driving right away?
A. Before driving, you must first take one driving lesson with a
professional driving instructor. This lesson validates your permit.
Q. Do my parents or guardian always have to be with me when I drive?
A. You may drive with anyone who is 25 years of age or older, with
a valid California license only with your parents' permission.
Q. How long is my learner's permit good for?
A. One year.
Q. Is it OK to drive with my learner's permit in another state?
A. In most cases it you are permitted to drive in other states as
long as you have someone with you 25 years of age or older with
a valid California license. However, you should check the driving
rules in each state you wish to drive in.
Q. With my learner's permit can I drive with my friends in the
car?
A. Yes, as long as you have someone with you who is 25 years of
age or older with a valid California driver's license.
Q. Do I always have to carry my learner's permit?
A. Only if you are driving.
Q. If I fail my learner's permit test, do I have to pay another
$26?
A. No, you are entitled to three tries, but you will be required
to wait one week between attempts.
Q. If I lose my learner's permit, will I have to pay for a new
one?
A. As of 2005, you may obtain a copy from your local DMV at no extra
charge.
Q. With my learner's permit there is an additional form which requires
someone to sign verifying that I have had 50 hours of practice driving
time. Who has to sign it?
A. Your parents or whoever gave you the 50 hours of practice time;
not the driving instructor who gave you 6 hours of required training.
Q. Is it OK to drive with a learner's permit after dark?
A. You may drive anytime day or night as long as you have a licensed
driver 25 years of age or older with you.
Q. When I'm driving with a learner's permit, does the licensed
driver supervising me have any rules or restrictions?
A. The licensed driver must be in the front seat of the vehicle,
sober and awake, and able to control the car in an emergency.
Q. Can I ride a motorcycle or motor scooter on a public surface
street with my Class C learner’s permit?
A. It is illegal to ride a motorcycle even in a parking lot without
a motorcycle learner’s permit or license. If you do, you may
be cited and have your motorcycle impounded (private property or
gated property does not apply).
Q. Can I take my DRIVING LESSONS in my mom’s car?
A. NO. All of the first 6 hours of driving lessons must be provided
by a licensed driving instructor in a dual controlled training vehicle.
Q. If I am stopped by a policy officer, who gets the ticket, me
or the supervising party?
A. YOU. The DRIVER of any vehicle is the captain of the ship and
is completely responsible for anything that happens.
Q. If my learner’s permit expires, do I have to retake the
driver’s education course?
A. NO, but you will be required to submit a new application, pay
a $26 fee, retake the written and eye tests.
Q. With a learner’s permit, is it legal to drive a large
truck?
A. YES, but only up to 26,000 gross vehicle weight. Not for hire
(no air brakes).
Q. Can I drive anybody’s vehicle as long as I have someone
with me who is 25 years of age with a valid California license?
A. MAYBE. First, you must have your parent’s permission to
drive the vehicle. Second, the vehicle must be currently insured,
the vehicle is under 26,001 pounds, and does not have air brakes.
Contact Us TODAY to get enrolled.
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