« April 2009 | Main | February 2009 »
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Can I drive in California if I am from another country?
Daryl from La Canada Asks: My girlfriend has a U.K driver license and is going to be staying with me in my La Canada, CA home. Can she drive a car legally here, or does she have to get a California drivers license?
Hello Daryl from La Canada, according to the CA DMV, if you are over 18 and visiting California with a valid drivers license from your country of residence,
you can drive in California without having to get a CA driver's license, as long as the license from your home country remains valid.
However, if your girlfriend gets a job in La Canada or becomes a resident, she must get a state driver license within TEN days.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Daryl from La Canada, tell your girlfriend she can drive in CA, show her around California, and tell her good luck on our freeways!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
La Canada Driving School
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Is it true I can't smoke with my kid in the car??
Nancy B. from San Dimas Asks: My son told me today that I can't smoke with him in the car. He said it's against the law, is this true??
For the love of all things holy Nancy, what are you doing smoking when your son is in the car in the first place? And yes, in San Dimas and the entire state of California it is most
definitely illegal to smoke in your car with a minor present. The fine for violating this law is $100 and was authorized by State Senator Oropeza with the "Smoke-free Cars with Minors" law.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Nancy B. from San Dimas, leave your son's lungs alone, don't throw your butts on the street, and please do not smoke with your son in the car!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
San Dimas Driving School
Edited on: Saturday, March 28, 2009 5:52 PM
Categories: General Driving Questions
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
How can I guarantee that I will pass my DMV test?
Sarah from Upland Asks: Can you guarantee that I will pass my DMV test?
Hey there Sarah, how's life in Upland? The answer to your question, whether you are talking about your permit test or your license test, is NO.
Even though many driving schools can PREPARE you for your
written permit test of your drive test, no reputable driving school should guarantee that you will pass your DMV tests for sure.
If that were the case, why even take the test in the first place, right?
In fact, if you encounter a driving school that promises that you will pass the DMV test if you take their course, run away!
It is a common driving school scam designed to get your business. The fact of the matter is
that the CA DMV is not nor can not be affiliated with any driving school and thus cannot not guarantee that you will pass your test because you chose one driving school over another.
Here's some links with some great tips to help you best PREPARE for you DMV tests. Read these over and do your best:
- Permit Test Hints from California-Drivers-Training.com
- DMV License Test Tips from California-Drivers-Training.com
- And last but not least, read over the DMV Checklist for getting a driver license
Hope that helps.
Until next time Sarah in beautiful Upland, CA: study hard, take lots of practice tests, and get a good night's sleep before your test!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Upland Drivers Ed Online with Practice Tests
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I Lost my Driver License in California - how do I get a new one?
Steve from Salinas Asks: Help Jonny! I lost my drivers license at the mall and I can't find it!! How can I get a new one?
Oh me, oh my Steve, however did you lose your driver's license? And what mall were you at, I didn't even know there was a mall in Salinas. Anyways, I digress. Here's what you need to do to get a duplicate
license from your local Salinas DMV, which I believe is located at:
- 260 E. Laurel Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
(800)777-0133
Steps to getting your duplicate California Drivers License in Salinas and anywhere in CA:
- Fill out a Driver License or ID Card Application form DL44. Get this form at the Salinas DMV or have it mailed to you by calling (800)777-0133.
- If you are a minor (under 18 years old) - make sure your parents signs the DL 44 form.
- You must also pay the replacement fee, which as of today is $22.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Steve from Salinas, quit losing your license, call the Salinas DMV, and say goodbye to $22!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Free Salinas Drivers Ed Online Trial
Monday, March 23, 2009
What does the DMV need when I go to get my permit?
Jolene from Newhall, CA Asks: I went to the Newhall DMV to take my permit, but they said I didn't have all the right forms :/ What do I need to bring to the DMV when I get my permit???
Jolene, must we use 3 question marks when asking a question??? I guess we must. Regarding your thought-provoking question, you were probably missing your DMV form OL392 or equivalent.
What's the form OL 392 you ask? It's the DMV form that shows that you have enrolled for driving lessons with a licensed DMV driving school. If you haven't signed up for driving lessons then
the DMV won't let you get your permit. In case you're still not sure what you need to bring to the Department for your permit test, here's a quick check list:
- • Your DMV permit application form (get this from the Newhall DMV)
- • Your driver's ed completion certificate (the "Blue Slip" you get from the driving school where you take your online drivers ed from)
- • Bring the required ID to the Newhall DMV (usually your original birth certificate). Also bring your Social security card.
- • Your proof of enrollment in driving school lessons (that's the form OL 392 we discussed).
- • Bring your checkbook or credit card - the DMV application fee is currently about $30 (subject to change).
Hope that helps.
Until next time Jolene from Newhall, sign up for driving lessons, study hard, and good luck at the DMV!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Sign Up for Online Newhall Drivers Ed
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Is there really such a thing as Online driver's Ed?
Derek from Harvard-Westlake Asks: Is drivers ed really online? How can driving lessons be online?
What a fine question Derek, I'm glad you're actually using that brain of yours. So my Harvard-Westlake friend, you want to know what the deal is with online drivers ed, right? Well, online drivers ed is just what it sounds like: drivers education you can take online instead of attending a classroom driver's ed course.
What you are probably confused about is Drivers Education vs. Drivers Training. Drivers education basically gives you the knowledge and theory you need before starting to drive. You take drivers ed so you can earn your learners permit. Drivers Training, on the other hand, is the actual in-car part of your driving school experience. You need driver's training to help prepare you for your provisional license. So basically:
Drivers Education = What you need for your learners permit = Can be done online and is approved by the CA DMV
Drivers Training = What you need to earn your driving license = Not online but done behind the wheel of a training vehicle
Regarding the whole "online" business, you can do your drivers ed online, but your drivers training is done in a car and obviously there is no online drivers training.
Check out Drivers Ed Direct for an example of a driving school that has both online drivers ed and behind-the-wheel driver's training.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Derek from Harvard - Westlake, get drivers ed for your permit online, drivers training for your license, and traffic school for your speeding tickets,
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Sign Up for Online Hesperia Drivers Ed
Thursday, March 19, 2009
What's the name of the driving school using hybrids as their training vehicles?
Kanye from Hesperia Asks: I heard there was a driving school using Priuses only cause they are hybrids.. Where is that?
Kanye, you environmental nut you! (That's a good thing). Well, I have some unfortunate news for you, that driving school is not giving driving lessons in Hesperia. And
contrary to public opinion, this driving school is not in eco-friendly San Francisco. The magical driving school you speak of actually exists in a city called Chatsworth near Los Angeles:
Drivers Ed Direct.
You can actually get more info from their website, but basically they've taken the whole driving school concept and turned
it green. From what I understand, they are the only school in the world that has an all hybrid fleet of training vehicles and they even have 2-3 hybrid SUVs as
well as the Prius. Other driving schools have began to copy Drivers Ed Direct's ingenious strategy recently - like Valley Bob's in West Hills who now uses a Prius in their fleet.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Kanye, keeping going Green where you live - the great citizens of Hesperia will thank you for it!!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Sign Up for Online Hesperia Drivers Ed
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
When will my driving permit expire?
Pandora from Oceanside Asks: I've had my permit for 14 months down in Oceanside? Does it ever expire??
Pandora! Your name spells trouble and indeed you are in it... trouble that is. YES, your permit surely does expire. In fact, in your case, it expired 2 months ago. In the state of California, your
learners permit expires 12 months after you initially took your first permit test (not 12 months from the day you received your permit). So basically you have one year to use your CA learner permit
before it expires. If you do not get your license and your permit does expire, you must go back to the DMV and retake your written road rules test (permit test) at the DMV.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Pandora, stay off the roads in Oceanside until you get your new permit!!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Sign Up for Oceanside Drivers Ed
Monday, March 16, 2009
What's the Difference Between Traffic Schools and Driving Schools?
Theottis Asks: I am new to your country and I just moved to Redwood City in California... Can you tell me how a Traffic School is different from a Driving School?
Hello Theottis! Brilliant name you have, I've never heard it before and I just might steal it - I like the ring of Theottis Driving School! Anyschmoo - about your question. The difference between driving
schools and traffic schools is quite simple really. In general, Driving Schools provide driving instruction for new drivers whereas traffic schools provide traffic safety services for
adult drivers, namely adult drivers who need a traffic ticket dismissed. For example, read below about two of my favorite companies:
Drivers Ed Direct Driving School
-
Drivers Ed Direct is an example of a full service DRIVING SCHOOL. They are known throughout
California for two primary services: Online Drivers Education and Behind the Wheel Driving services. The majority of their customers are high school aged teenagers who want
their permit or drivers license. However, they also specialize in training adults how to drive as well as new drivers from other countries (just like yourself Theottis!) And
if you have any soon to be teen drivers, they have Redwood City drivers ed courses you can take online...nice!
TrafficSchool.com Traffic School
-
TrafficSchool.com is an example of a TRAFFIC SCHOOOL. They are known throughout the entire states
of California and Florida for providing online traffic school that allows drivers to clear traffic tickets from their driving record. They also provide defensive driving in Texas for
drivers who need the same traffic ticket erasing services. All of TrafficSchool.com's customers are drivers I would suspect, mostly
adults who got a speeding ticket or a similar minor traffic violation. And yes, they msot likely have Redwood City Traffic School classes you can take online :)
Hope that helps.
Until next time Theottis, drive safe in Redwood City, drive on the right side of the road, and welcome to the US!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I just got into a bad accident? Will I lose my license?
Elliot Asks: I got into an accident in Los Angeles where I ran a red light and creamed another car. Totaled both cars. Will I lose my license?
Good gravy Elliot, that sounds pretty darn nasty - I hope nobody was hurt. Whether or not you will lose your license will depend on your driving record. In the state of California,
you want to avoid becoming what is called a "Negligent operator" and losing your license. According to the CA DMV Official Website, you are negligent when your driving record has any of the following:
- 4 points in 12 months, or
- 6 points in 24 months, or
- 8 points in 36 months
So in short, if your record was clean before, I don't think your accident will cost you your license. However, check your driving record to see how many points you have to get the definitive answer.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Elliot, quit running red lights, quit crashing into other cars, and keep your license!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I want to do the online driving school thing - what are the best driving schools?
Steven Asks: What are the best online driving schools?
Well hello there Steven, I'd like to help you out, but I must say your question is a bit vague. It all depends how you define "best" - are you looking for a cheap driving school? Or maybe you want to find the most educational driving school? Or perhaps the driving school with the highest rating.. and so on, you get my point. With that in mind, let me try to help you.
The Cheap Driving Schools
If you are looking for the lowest priced driving school, I have a few to recommend. I'm not sure if they are actually the cheapest driving schools (I don't have the prices for every course in every state),
but I'm sure they're not the most expensive.
• Cheap-Driving-School.com - with a name like that, they must be cheap. They have an online California drivers ed course for under $70. Their courses come with free DMV practice tests.
• LowCostDriversEd.com - you'd think they have Low Cost Drivers Ed, right? Well they do - CA online drivers education courses start at a reasonable $69.
The Best Full Service Driving Schools
If you want a driving school that is known for having it all - from online drivers ed classes to behind the wheel driving lessons, then these are for you:
• Drivers Ed Direct - They serve California with the highest quality drivers ed course AND they have renowned driving lessons.
Rumor has it their driving instructors are more fun and better trained than most other driving schools. They also are heavily involved in the Southern California community - really a well rounded driving school.
• Beverly Hills Driving School - They have online drivers ed courses for the entire state of California and offer driving lessons for most of the Los Angeles area.
Steven, in the event you meant "online traffic schools", please check out these traffic school providers for more info. These listed below have state approved online traffic school courses:
• Miami Traffic School - if you need your ticket dismissed in Miami, it would make sense to go to MiamiTrafficSchool.com, no?
• Cheap Traffic School - Traffic School for Florida and California - plus they have defensive driving classes for Texas drivers.
• California Traffic School - County court approved traffic school for any California city that allows traffic school (which is almost all CA cities).
Hope that helps.
Until next time Steven, obey the speed limit, watch for children, and stop to smell the stop signs,
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
How to Schedule a Drive Test at the California DMV (Making a Drive Test Appointment at the DMV)
Beth Asks: How do you get a license test at the DMV? Can I just show up at the DMV if I'm 16?
Beth - unless you want to punish yourself unnecessarily, I recommend that you NEVER show up at the DMV without an appointment. If you do, expect long lines and the probability that you will have to come back
another day for your road test. So to answer your question more directly, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!
There are a couple of ways to make an appointment at the California DMV. As of today, March 10th, 2009, you can call 1-800-777-0133 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, to make a driving test appointment. Or, as I always recommend, try making a driving test appointment online so you don't have to sit on hold for hours upon hours. You can schedule appointments for your DMV driving test at the official Ca DMV website. Here is that link for your convenience: Schedule a DMV Appointment
On a side note, make sure you have completed all of your drivers education requirements before scheduling your driver test. Not sure what those requirements are? Find them at the official California Drivers Training website.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Beth, schedule an appointment online, schedule an appointment over the phone, but whatever you do, NEVER go to the DMV without an appointment!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Monday, March 09, 2009
Traffic School Coupons
Karina Asks: I got a traffic ticket in California? Do you know any trafficschool coupons so I can get a discount?
Traffic school coupons you say? Why yes Karina, you bargain shopper you, there is such a thing as a traffic school coupon that will indeed give you a discount on your traffic school course. My recommendation is to go to
TrafficSchool.com, which is hands down the leader in Online Traffic School in CA, FL, and TX. Their course is already discounted and if you use the TrafficSchool.com coupon code
DriveSafe you can get an additional traffic school deal of 10% off.
There are other traffic schools out there online, but I'm not sure if they give discounts (I'm sure they do). You might try to find GotoTrafficSchool.com coupons or idrivesafely.com coupons or maybe even lowestpricetrafficschool.com coupons - but again, they are not necessarily the best courses, so I would just stick to TrafficSchool.com coupons to make sure you get a court approved course.
Hope that helps.
Until next time Karina, since you can't find traffic school for free - find a traffic school coupon, find a traffic school deal, or find a traffic school discount if you can,
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Friday, March 06, 2009
How long do I have to wait before I can drive with my friends?
Javier Inquires: Yo Jonny - I just got my license - when can I start driving with my friends in the car?
"Yo" Javier - if you are a minor, you've got to wait a full 12 months (i.e. one year) before you can have anyone under the age of 20 as the sole passenger in your car. Simple as that. And take it from me, you don't want distractions in the car anyway.
They say ("they" being the masters of the universe) that you are 10 times more likely to get into a car accident during the first 500 miles of your driving life. And I have to admit, I am guilty of
getting to an accident within the first week that I had my license. Why? Because my friend McGivern in the passenger seat was distracting me with his antics, causing me to run a red light.
If only I had a 'Jonny Driving School' to guide me when I was a new driver...
Hope that helps.
Until next time Javier, drive alone, don't drive between 11pm and 5am, and drive distraction free!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
What's the deal with School Zones in California.. when should I slow down?
Cheryl Asks: Being a concerned parent, I told my teenage son to slow down to 25mph whenever he enters a school zone. Is that correct?
Cheryl, there is nothing I love more than a concerned parent, well except maybe my dog Pickle, but that's another story. In answer to your question, your advice is close to being true, but not 100% accurate.
The trick to school zones in California is this: slow down to the posted school zone speed when kids are present. More simply, if you see a child, slow down. If the coast is clear, DO NOT slow
down unnecessarily and continue at the regular posted speed.
Many people make the mistake of slowing down to school zone speeds just because school is in session. Just because school is in session does not mean that children are present. And the opposite also holds true: even if it is Thanksgiving day and there is no school in session, you would still slow down in a school zone if you spotted a child meandering about.
Knowing this rule is also key for students taking their DMV drive test. One of the critical driving errors (or automatic fails) is a speed violation. You technically would auto-fail if you were to unnecessarily go below the speed limit by 10mph, which is a temptation in a marked school zone. But remember: no kids present = don't slow down unless warranted.
And lastly, though most school zones have a posted speed of 25mph, some school zones may have slower posted speeds. Always obey the posted speed of course.
Hope that helps.
Until next time my concerned parent, keep showing concern, keep providing guidance, and remember you always have the power to take away your child's license for ANY reason... especially if they bad-mouth Jonny Driving School!
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Can I take traffic school more than once? I got another speeding ticket!
JR Asks: Hey Jonny - I got another speeding ticket yesterday. Can I still go to traffic school if I already went 2 years ago?
For the love of all things holy, slow down JR! With that said, YES, you can go to traffic school again. In fact, for most minor violations, you can attend traffic school once every
18 months (that's every 1½ years for you mathematically 'declined').
And JR, when I say you can "go to traffic school", I don't mean that you should literally go to traffic school. Take it online my friend and save yourself some gas, a lot of wasted time, and the agony of listening to someone like myself bore you to sleep with exciting traffic school facts. My two cents: TrafficSchool.com is your best bet. Then again, what do I know; I'm just a traffic safety expert...
Hope that helps.
Until next time JR, slow down, slow down, and.. wait for it... SLOW DOWN,
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Can I Start My Driving Lessons without Having My Permit?
Katelyn Asks: I didn't pass my permit test, can I still start my driving lessons?
Good question Katelyn. A DMV licensed driving school can actually issue you what is called a "student license" that will allow you to practice with a licensed driving instructor, even if you do not have your
learner's permit. Keep in mind that not all driving schools offer this service because there is a marginal fee for each student license issued. However, reputable driving schools, such as
Drivers Ed Direct in Chatsworth, CA do provide this special service free of charge.
On a side note Ms. Katelyn - if you STUDY for your permit test then you should be able to pass it with ease and won't have to worry about getting a student license at all :)
Hope that helps.
Until next time, keep both eyes on the road, both hands on the wheel, and all four tires on the ground,
Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com
Got
a driving school question for Jonny? Ask
him here!