I have something which can add value to this thread. I recently got a US Drivers Licence and wanted to share my experiences with you.
I landed in the US on Jan 26th and by I could finally obtain my SSN on April 11th. A piece of advice here for anyone landing here in the US on a work Permit:
Allow a minimum of 4 weeks, before you approach your nearest SSN office to apply for a fresh SSN. I am not going into the details here as to why one should wait for 4 weeks - the SSN office needs to verify your legal work status with the Immigration department - and the Immigration department would again need to cross-check with your employer, before notifying the SSN folks - If you go too soon, there are chances, that the Immigration team might not have all the details they need - and your application gets put on hold.
One thing is for sure - the DMV office will definitely look at your SSN, your passport and any letter containing your address - there is a rule in the DMV book - at least here, in IL, that a letter from the SSN office stating your SSN number will suffice - but that's not true. MY SSN was getting delayed, so I showed an 'SSN-allotted' letter to the DMV office - but the guy rejected it and I had to wait for my SSN to turn up.
So finally on April 11th, the SSN showed up - It being a Saturday, a couple of folks and I rented out a compact from Enterprise (Toyota Yaris) and started driving on the local roads. It was my first time behind the wheel on an American road - but I didn't feel the difference - true you need to be careful at the STOP signs and right turns at the Signal, but apart from that everything else was fine.
The next day, we invited a friend, who had been driving for quite some time, to help us with a few tips. And his tips were quite helpfull. To really pass in the test, here are a few things you need to keep in mind:
At the STOP sign, you really need to STOP. Count 1001, 1002 and by 1003, ease off your foot from the pedal and slowly move the car ahead. If you are merging onto a lane, of course, you need to wait till the oncoming traffic passes by.Of course, in a 4-way STOP or a 3-way STOP, the guy who comes first gets to leave first.
You also need to get perfect in the art of 'pulling-over' . Give your right indicator, and slowly pull off the lane, cutting down your speed and then make sure, your right wheels are slightly on the shoulder. Its difficult to visualize this, but with practice, you will get it.
You also need to get acquainted with Up-hill Parking & Down-hill parking:
Uphill-Parking:
Once you have pulled over - engage the reverse gear and slowly turn the wheels to the left till they gently hit the kerb. Push the lever into Park mode (For automatic vehicles only) and apply the hand brake (not necessary actually)
For down-hill parking, you need to turn your wheels to the right and move the vehicle slowly till the front wheels nudge the kerb.
The instructor will also observe how you reverse - and art that I had to revisit here, in the US - it has to be slow and gradual.
Lastly, the instructor will also observe how you change lanes, how you stick the speed zones, neither exceeding nor going too slow.
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On Monday morning by 8 am we lined up at the Secretary of State DMV office and by 08:20 we were allowed inside. At the counter, I showed my passport, SSN and a letter containing my current address. I was issued a token number, and soon enough my token was called out.
I handed my documents to the lady at the counter and she entered some data from my SSN and passport - Was I wearing any eye glasses or contacts? No . Fine - look thru the eye testing equipment and read out the first line to me. '476 973'.
"Fine - Do you see blinking lights to your left?" - "Yes Mam."
"Right?" - "Yes mam".
"Do you want an instruction permit or directly want to write the test?"
'I will write the test mam'.
(OK - If you need to practice you need an instruction permit - total cost of Permit + license is USD 20 - for license alone it is USD 10.)
She handed over a couple of papers me and asked me to go to the written test section.
I then went to the written test section when the guy at the counter took my papers, pulled out an answer sheet, stuck out 20 questions from the 40 listed and gave it to me. The question paper is all about everyday driving situations, some rules, and identification of Signs - You do need to get your Signs correct - they are important.
By 5 minutes, I was done - handed over the paper - and the guy quickly evaluated it - and I passed the test with all correct.
Then I had to wait for some time as the other two guys who had come with me were taking their tests. Once they were done, I collected the car insurance papers, took out my car onto the test track and waited for the officer, who showed up soon.
She saw my papers, listened to the car's horn, checked the indicators and the lights and soon, we were off.
We drove for 10 odd minutes and she observed the way I changed lanes, stopped at the STOP sign, made left or right turns and yes - she did ask me to pull over and do an uphill park - I also had to do a reverse for her.
We completed the test soon, and voila - I passed!
I went back to the office, went to the photo counter, had my photograph taken, and within a few minutes, my license was ready!
Unfortunately - one of my friends who also gave the exam flunked - just because he couldn't get the hand signals right - So make sure you know the hand signals also.
Right hand on the wheel - left hand straight out in a horizontal position = left turn.
Left Hand out, forearm facing up =right tun, and forearm facing down = STOP.
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1 more advice - When two persons are hiring a vehicle especially for driving test purposes - their names have to be mentioned on the insurance slip - one guy as the primary guy - and the other as an add-on. The Officer insists on seeing your name on the insurance paper.
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That was my overall experience in getting a US Drivers License
Last edited by PVS : 17th April 2009 at 18:57.
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