Is this what they mean when they say, “Jesus, take the wheel!”?

PART ONE

BEFORE WE START, WHAT YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT

ON THE DAY OF THE TEST

• Minor needs to be at least the age of 15 ½ and
• Have their driver’s education online class completed, passed and have their physical proof (a completion slip the course will be mailed to you; the DL 400C pink slip

TIP

1. 1. 1. 1. Some kids take about 1 to 2 months to complete the online school. You also have to wait for the certificate to be mailed out to you which can take 1 to 2 weeks.
         2. Getting a DMV appointment is not always quick or soon.

These things can take some time so keep this in mind on how you want to time it.

3 TO 4 MONTHS BEFORE THEY TURN 15 ½

___ Make a DMV appointment

2 TO 3 MONTHS BEFORE THEY TURN 15 ½

___ Purchase online teen driver’s ed class

We did 30-hour Aceable course. Not affiliated with them just sharing what we did. It takes a little bit of time for them to get done. A little bit each day and track progress so you have an idea of how long this is going to take.

ABOUT 1 TO 2 MONTHS BEFORE THEY TURN 15 ½

___ Pass online class

___ Request a MAILED certificate to be sent to you

This can take a week or longer. Also, do not forget to look for it in your mail. Easy to throw out advertisements and not think about it.

___ Get driving book from Triple A or DMV to study for Permit

We downloaded ours from DMV and printed it by sections.

___ Study for the DMV Permit Test by taking Practice Tests

I highly recommend this-

Download the DMV Genie app (make sure California). Many kids say this is really effective.

ABOUT 1 TO 2 WEEKS BEFORE TEST DATE

___ Take 2-3 tests daily, for 1 to 2 weeks up to test date

 

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PART TWO

CREATING A DMV ONLINE ACCOUNT FOR YOUR MINOR BEFORE TEST DATE

TIP

1. 1. 1. 1. Create an online DMV account for the minor
         2. When creating their DMV online account, use their email; their information
         3. Make sure minor remembers the sign in and password they create
         4. Go to: dmv.ca.gov
         5. You will need to upload documents. I took photos and it was easy to upload them
         6. You are doing this for a drivers license (not for an ID card)
         7. There will be a question that will ask will this be used for travel identification/flying- check yes because then this will be the new REAL ID DRIVERS LICENSE that is required
         8. The uploads can take a little bit of time so do not worry
         9. THIS IS IMPORTANT. When you have completed all the steps, you get a confirmation number-PRINT THIS (you will take this with you to the DMV)

 

DAYS BEFORE THE TEST DATE

___ Complete a DMV online account for your child

Have documents ready to upload:

• • minor’s social security card
  • minor’s birth certificate
  • 2 proof of residency documents (since child’s name most likely will not be on these documents you can prove it online by uploading the birth certificate for each one; just follow the steps when you get to this part)

___ Make sure they write down or know their sign in information and password

___ Print the confirmation number at the end

 

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PART THREE

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF THE WRITTEN PERMIT TEST

• eye test
• thumbprint taken
• picture taken
• pay fee
• the test on a DMV computer

TIP

1. 1. 1. 1. Bring the documents below
         2. Make sure your child knows what the documents are so they are prepared when the agent asks for it; you will be there to help as well
         3. Make sure your child knows they are getting their picture taken!

 

TAKE WITH YOU TO THE DMV ON THE DAY OF THE TEST

___ minor’s DMV online account confirmation number

(this number appears when you finish uploading documents)

___ 2 forms of proof of residency with PARENT name on it (SDGE, city bill, mortgage, etc.)

___ minor’s passport or birth certificate

___ minor’s Certificate of Completion of Driver Education

(a pink DL 400C – the form Aceable sends you OR whichever online company you use)

___ minor’s social security number CARD

___ parent should take their own DL (or passport)

___ $36 application EXAM FEE (debit card/cash/check; fee may be different amount)

___ Take the Permit Test at DMV and get your Permit

___ Take a photo of their permit papers (right, things get lost)

AND REMIND THEM NOT TO POST ALL OF THEIR PERMIT PHOTO (people can grab and misuse the information)

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And, when they do pass their permit test, this is fun (I did these for each boy in our school carpool at the time)-

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Keep in mind, cross reference information with your local county and state DMV.  And talking to other parents that have just had a child pass a permit test is a great resource as well.

Good luck! This is an exciting step (as well as all the other feelings).

xo

Dyanna Burak