The Official Jonny Driving School Blog

My high school does not offer driver's ed, what should I do to earn my permit?

Alec from Brentwood High in Los Angeles: My school does not offer a driving coarse or anything about driving. I am 15 do I need to do something online before i get my permit?

Hello Alec, your grammar is, how shall I say it, very "coarse". But you sound like a good kid, so let me lend you a helping hand.

In the state of California, you can meet your drivers education requirement online or in an approved drivers ed classroom. Below is a link to the Drivers Ed Direct website, offering a CA DMV approved online drivers ed course. If you complete this course you will earn an official drivers ed certificate that you can bring to the DMV for your written permit test. Please remember you must be at least 15½ to get your permit, but can start your drivers ed at any time.

The link to the Drivers Ed Direct site is: www.DriversEdDirect.com.

Also, you can use promo code jonny10 to get an additional $10 off your drivers ed course.

Until next time Alec, good luck earning your permit and passing English - I'm sure you'll succeed admirably in both!

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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Arizona Defensive Driving Class

Hey Jonny - I live in Georgetown CA, can you help me find a Driving School?

Sam from Georgetown in California asks: Hey JDS - I live in Georgetown up in El Dorado County - can you tell me what driving school to go to? ?

Hey Sam I am, your question is a common one from people in smaller California towns. Often times in rural communities there aren't quality driving schools around unless you're willing to drive out of your way. Fortunately for California high school students today, you can actually do your drivers ed from home or school if you can get online. Most of these online courses are definitely legit and provide you with the same (if not better) education that you would get from a traditional 30 hour class room.

The only thing I would caution when selecting a driving school online is this: MAKE SURE THEY ARE DMV APPROVED! If you're looking for a course that is reasonably priced but doesn't skimp on the quality education, I suggest you try http://www.driversed-ca.com/.

Hope that helps Sam in Georgetown, CA!

Until next time, find an online computer, sign up for drivers ed, and earn your permit certificate!

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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Teen Drivers Ed in CA

What do I need to have ready before I go to the DMV for my CA permit test?

Kenny from Santa Rosa, CA Asks: Hey i got my blue slip for drivers ed. at school and i should be testing to get my permit starting apr. 17 and i was wondering is there anything else i am required to do before i take my permit test? thanks

Howdy Doody Kenny from Santa Rosa, before you go to the DMV and take your permit test (besides bringing your drivers education certificate or the 'blue slip' as you call it - make sure you have signed up for your behind the wheel training with a driving school. The driving school should provide you with a form that shows proof you are enrolled with a licensed driving school. Also, you may want to bring your social security card with you to the DMV - they may ask for it. And if you wear glasses or contacts- bring those as well as you have to pass an eye exam.

That should do it - good luck!

Until next time Kenny from Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, study hard, sign up for a Santa Rosa Driving School, and good luck on your written test!

Jonny Driving School
DrivingSchoolProgram.com

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Santa Rosa Drivers Education

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

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Sign Up for Online Newhall Drivers Ed

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

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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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