February 2009

I heard I can't get my learner permit until I'm 18 because the law changed. Is that true?

Brandon's Inquiry: My friend told me I can't get my permit until I'm 18 cause the law changed. Is that true?

Brandon, I hate to say it, but I think it's time you found some new friends because they have no idea what the actual permit laws are. Under current CA state driving law, you can obtain your CA learners permit at the ripe old age of 15.5 and then obtain your provisional license at the age of 16 if you complete CA driver training requirements.

To clarify - you can go to your local Dept. of Motor Vehicles when you're 15½ years old (if you've completed an approved driver education course) and then take your learner permit exam. When you turn 16 and you have fulfilled your DMV requirements, you may schedule a road test in an attempt to get your provisional driver's license. If this law ever changes, I will be the first person to yell it from a mountain-top (or a pretty dang steep hill at the least).

Hope that helps.

Until next time, drive smart, drive safe, and drive long,

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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Is there a new law about getting your permit? I heard I have to wait untill I'm 18??

Brandon's Question: My friend told me I can't get my permit until I'm 18 cause the law changed. Is that true?

Brandon, I hate to say it, but I think it's time you got a new friend because he/she has no idea what they are talking about. Under current California state law, you are allowed to earn your learner's permit at the age of 15½ and then become a licensed driver at the age of 16 if you complete DMV licensing requirements.

So I repeat - you can go to the DMV at the age of 15½, after you've completed drivers ed, and take your written permit test. When you are 16 years old, and if you meet DMV requirements, you can take your drive test to earn your driver license. When or if this law were to change, I will be the first person to scream it from a mountain top (or a fairly high hill at the very least).

Hope that helps.

Until next time, think hard, speak clearly, and don't drive on the sidewalk,

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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Got a Question for the Guru? Ask Jonny a driving school question and he might just answer!

Got a question about the DMV? Maybe your drive test is coming up and you need some pointers? Or maybe you can't get that answer to the permit test you're looking for... No matter what your driving school dilemma might be, chances are Jonny Driving School can help. Click below to ask your question before it's too late (Jonny's bound to lose his mind someday soon):

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What are the automatic fails (auto fails) you can get during your drive test at the DMV?

Nelly's Question: Hello Jonny Driving Skool!! I'm taking my license test next week - what are the things that can make me fail?

Hello to you too Nelly! As a friendly warning, please never spell School with a 'k' again. It's disrespectful to the Jonny Driving School family name.

So you want to know how NOT to fail your driving test. That's mighty pessimistic of you, but you are not alone in your pessimism. In fact, I was asked that very same question yesterday by soon to be licensed driver Ryan in Tarzana. And this is the long winded speech I gave him:

There are basically two different ways one can fail their DMV drive test. First of all, you will be disqualified if you make 16 or more minor violations. Examples of minor traffic violations include stopping on the limit-line, signaling too late or not at all, forgetting a traffic check, not making full 3-second stops at stop signs and so on. If you receive 15 or less minor violations you can still pass your test and get your license.

Now it has been my experience that most people who fail their drive test are NOT disqualified for getting 16 minor traffic violations (though it does happen). The majority of those who fail their road test commit a Critical Driving Error (CDE) or what most call an "auto fail". If you commit one CDE you may be failed by your DMV examiner. Examples of CDE's or auto fails are:

• Failing Your Pre-drive Test: If you get three wrong answers on your oral pre-drive test you don't even get to move the car. Of course, this should never happen if you know your hand signals and where your headlights, windshield wipers, hazard lights, front window defroster, and parking brake are.

• Examiner Intervention: What you don't want on your drive-test is any help from the DMV tester. That means they shouldn't ever have to reach for the steering-wheel, tell you to slow down, or give you any other sort of driving advice.

• Dangerous Maneuver: What's a dangerous maneuver you ask? Swerving, taking a turn wicked-fast, cutting off other drivers, impeding another driver's progress and any other number of things that are not safe.

• Disobeying a Sign or Signal: Pretty straightforward: run a red light or blow through a stop-sign and it's pretty safe to say your test is over. Don't break the law and you'll be fine.

• Lane Violation: Drift out of your lane: FAIL. Make a lane change without checking mirrors and over your shoulder: FAIL. You get the point.

• Speed Control: In general, if you exceed the safe speed limit by 10 miles you will fail your test. Depending on the traffic situation, you could also fail for speeding by less than 10 miles per hour. A good rule of thumb for your test is to make sure you stay within 3-4 miles of the speed limit. Of course not speeding at all is your best bet.

• And a few others: Make sure you obey traffic cops and school crossing guards if they're out and about. If it rains or snows make sure you turn on your windshield wipers and low beam headlights. And last but not least, do not "strike an object". I think it goes without saying that hitting someone or something with your car is a no-no on your DMV test. Be careful when you curbside park because hitting the curb is considered striking an object - and that, my friend Nelly, is an auto fail.

There you have it Nelly, now you know what NOT to do next week on your DMV license test. Now, if you can focus on what you need to do, you'll be fine. If you drive courteously, safely, confidently, and defensively come your exam day, you should have no problem whatsoever getting your license. Take it from me - I'm Jonny Driving School and "I know stuff"! And yes, I do enjoy quoting myself.

Hope that helps.

Until next time, be big brained, be super nice, and don't drift,

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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What's the easiest DMV in Los angeles for getting your license?

Peter's Question: Jonny Driving School - what's the easiest DMV in LA for getting my driver lisense?

Peter, Peter, Peter - so young and so confused. Please learn how to spell license before getting yours. Not that I didn't get a D average in grammar when I was your age...anyway, I digress.

That's a question I get asked almost daily. And the answer is... wait for it... THERE IS NO EASIEST DMV!

Now let's get to the bottom of what you're really asking - At what DMV do you have the highest chance of passing your drive test the first time? Consider this:

1) First of all, if you are a good driver you should be able to pass your road test at ANY DMV.

2) You live in Los Angeles, correct? Then you know and I know and even uncle Charlie knows that there is major traffic anywhere you go in Los Angeles. Whether you go to the Winnetka DMV, Van Nuys DMV, Arleta, Thousand Oaks, or the Glendale DMV - there is going to be traffic. So they should all be about equally difficult, traffic-wise.

3) And the test examiners, contrary to public opinion, are not out to get you. It's not like one DMV has evil employees and another DMV only has nice people working. The California DMVs are like any other place of business - you're gonna have some cool people, some okay people, and some grumpy people. No matter where you go, it's all up to chance which type of test instructor you get. And PLEASE remember, the DMV people actually do want you to pass.

So, with all that said, I, Jonny Driving School, king dork of the driving road, recommend you go to a DMV closest to your neighborhood. Why? Because those are the streets you should be most familiar with. You have been practicing driving like crazy, right? And I'm guessing you practice around your own neighborhood. So why not take the test in your own neighborhood where you know the street names, the speed limits, and any tricky intersections or school zones.

And if you don’t live near a DMV, then go practice by the DMV you will test at. Still don't know which DMV to go to? I always go with the ones with the shortest lines. In my experience the shorter lines are at the Arleta DMV and the T.O. DMV. Longer lines usually at the Van Nuys DMV and sometimes at the Winnetka DMV. The Santa Monica DMV is hit or miss, and the Glendale DMV is usually pretty easy going.

And Peter, above anything, be prepared. If you are truly ready for your license, you should be able to get it anywhere.

Hope that helps.

Until next time, be smart, be safe, and keep all four tires on the road,

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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