By Tara Choe and Isabella Purdy, Staff Writers
Fountain Valley High School is filled with many students that hope to obtain their license but have no idea where to start. The process of getting your permit and driver’s license is a lengthy one, but can easily be done with the right steps.
Before you get your driver’s license, you must go through Drivers Education. You must be at least 15 ½ years old to obtain a permit.
Usually, there is a 30-hour online program and a final assessment before your completion certificate is mailed. From there, you can take your permit test through the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles).
On the day of your permit test, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and have you social security number, proof of identification, proof of a residential address, a certificate of driver’s education completion and a $35 fee.
The permit test has 46 questions about safety rules and general information of driving. Road signs, speed management, turning and intersection behavior, safe driving habits and new driver laws are common subjects on the permit test.
The DMV permit test is done on a touch screen and you’re allowed to skip two questions that you must answer later on. The test immediately alerts you if you have gotten an answer right or wrong. You can miss up to nine questions on the DMV permit test. If you fail, you must wait seven days before retaking it.
Once you obtain your permit, you’re required to practice with an instructor for at least six hours behind-the-wheel. Afterwards, it’s important to practice daily with a parent or guardian for at least a total of fifty hours. You must wait at least six months before even qualifying to take the behind-the-wheel test.
Scheduling an appointment is not necessary but is the most efficient way to start your test on time.
If you fail your driver’s license test three times, you must retake the permit test and wait at least 6 months before taking the behind-the-wheel test.
Once you have your driver’s license, you are under minor laws for one year if you’re under 18. You’re not allowed to take any passengers under 25 years old without a parent or guardian and can’t drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
For more information,visit https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/home
