Today, a driver's license is not a luxury but a vital necessity. Millions of people in the U.S. get their driver's licenses every year, but not everyone knows how and where they can learn to drive and how long the process usually takes.
What documents do you need to get behind the wheel in the United States? How many lessons does it take to drive, at what age can you learn to drive, and how much does it cost to obtain a license? In this article, you'll find the answers to these questions.
You can download the Driver`s Manual from the Internet or pick it up for free from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Please make sure that your manual has the rules of the state where you will get your license, as there are some differences.
The required training for someone who has never had a license is only four hours of theory. For example, in Florida, it is called Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course. The course is conducted online and costs $30. Then you have to pay the $10 state fee and from $30 to $98 for the test, depending on the state.
After the theory test, which includes questions about the local fines, the future driver is given a provisional license, which can be used for training, i.e., driving in the presence of an experienced driver.
When taking the driving test, the first thing that is checked is the knowledge of the car systems. You will be asked to turn on your left turn signal, emergency lights, handbrake, and so on. Then there’s; in some states, it's just parallel parking, in others, they add backing up, accelerating, and braking. They may ask you about parking or driving on the hill, and you usually need to explain everything in detail.
Driving around town is simple; there are almost no tricky situations. It’s enough not to exceed the speed limit, stop before the stop sign, and turn your head before every intersection and lane change.
You can arrive at the exam in your own car. If you do not pass, you can come the next day.
The minimum age for obtaining a driver's license varies from state to state. For example, in New York and California, you can get your license from 16 to 17. In Texas, you can learn to drive at the age of 14 and pass the exam to get a license when you turn 15.
Besides, minors must pass driver's education courses (in some cases, when you turn 18, you do not need such courses to pass the exam). Usually, courses are held in specialized centers licensed by the DMV, at home, or in educational institutions.
As a rule, drivers under the age of 18 receive a temporary driver's license with a limited validity period. Restrictions also vary from state to state. In Texas, for example, a novice driver is not allowed to use not only a cell phone but any wireless headset while driving. In addition, a passenger over the age of 21 who is also a driver with a valid license must be in the front seat next to that driver at all times while driving.
The cost of taking the test and processing paperwork varies by state. In Nevada, it costs $25 to take the test; a driver's license costs $41.25 for drivers under the age of 65. Such a license is valid for eight years and must be renewed.
In New York, licenses cost $80 to $98.25 for those under 18 and $64.25 to $90 for drivers who are 18 and older. In Nebraska, a license is valid for five years and costs $28.50. It costs $38 to obtain a license in California.
Generally, learning to drive takes around 45 hours of professional lessons and 20 hours of practice. That could be spread out over three or four months. It depends on the person’s ability to perceive information and other personal characteristics.
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