What Can Stop You From Getting Your Driving Permit?
If you have recently turned 14, 15, or 16, then you may be ready to get your driver's permit, depending on the state you live in. While you may want to rush out the door to get your permit, you should understand that there is a process that must be followed. You do not automatically receive your permit just because you are the correct age. In fact, there are several things that can leave you turning around and going home without your permit at all. Keep reading to learn about a few of these things so you are more prepared.
You Do Not Pass The Test
You do need to take a written test before you are given your permit. You may not know this, but the written permit test is different for each state. This is simply because laws can differ slightly from state to state. While the most basic laws are the same, certain things can differ, like when and if u-turns are illegal. Also, in some states, it is illegal to simply cross a double yellow line, while in others it is not. These specific distinctions and rules of the road need to be learned for your state. This means that you should try to avoid taking online practice tests or studying for your permit through guides offered on the internet.
You should contact your local DMV and ask them for a copy of the driver's manual for your state. You can also stop in to your local DMV as most of them have paper copies of the manual for individuals to take home with them. Once you have the manual, you should study. About 35% of test takers actually fail the permit test the first time around. This means that you should not simply read the manual, but you should look through the information multiple times, starting a while before you take the test.
Keep in mind that you should remember all traffic signs and understand the basic rules of the road. You also should study right of way rules as well as some driving basics when it comes to the way a vehicle works. If you feel that you need to take a practice test before the actual permit test, then the DMV manual typically contains practice questions, and they often have a sample test in the back of the book too.
You Do Not Have The Correct Forms Of Identification
Most people will ask for a license when they need a personal form of identification. However, if you do not already have your license, then you will need identification before you can get your permit. You will need your social security card in almost all cases, so make sure that you have this with you. If you are not eligible for a social security number, then you must have a letter stating this.
In addition to the social security card, you should bring your passport with you as well as your birth certificate. Non-driver identification and citizen certificates are needed as well. If you do not have eligible forms of identification, which many younger individuals do not, then your parent or guardian will need to fill out paperwork to prove your identity. If your parent of guardian has a driver's license, then this is often enough, along with the paperwork, to prove your identity. While this is true, you will need to prove your social security number and date of birth, so this means that your SS card and birth certificate are still needed in addition to the parental paperwork.
If you are unsure if you have the right combination of documents and identification, then contact the DMV before you set out to get your permit. The DMV assigns a certain number of points to each type of identification and you will need a certain number of points before your identity is proven. It can be hard to understand if you have the correct number of points without directly asking the DMV.