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Taft DMV Office in 165 Center Street

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Driver´s License

In the States, the driver`s license is issued by every State or territory. A driver normally must obtain a driver's license from its State of residence, and this permit is valid for all the rest of the United States. A certain territory could also suspend the driving privileges around its limits to a driver who had violated the traffic rules. A lot of States shared a common system of classes with certain exceptions. In the case of commercial licenses, for example, those are standardized by federal regulations.

History

Around 1903, Massachusetts and Missouri were the first States to require a driver’s license, but there was no requirement to pass an exam to get one. In 1908, Henry Ford Delivered the first Ford T Vehicle, the one had a very accessible price and was affordable to all the american middle class. (Henry Ford, born in Michigan, obtained his first driver’s license by the age of 56).

The same year that Fort T came into the streets, Rhode Island began to request a driver's license for all drivers and decided that all licenses will be issued after completing a driver's exam.Around 1907 Massachusetts started to require an exam to achieve licenses for Chauffeurs, and around 1920, the exam was mandatory for all drivers interested on a driver's license.

Standard Licenses and Special licenses.

Non Restricted licenses:

This is the most common license in America. There are some differences between some States on the class of license they use to distinguish a regular driver’s license and a special one, like the restricted one, the Chauffeur or motorcycle license. I.e.In Tennessee a Standard driver's license is called Class D, the Class M is for Motorcycles and the Class H is a hardship license.

Hardship license for minors:

A hardship license for minors is different than a hardship license given to the drivers whose licenses had been revoked or suspended.

Provisional licenses:

Its funcion is the same as a driver's license, but these are issued for drivers under 18 years of age, between 14 and 17 years old. Almost every State, except South Dakota, counts with some kind of graduated license, but the restriction time and the period that a new driver must held the license vary widely depending on the State.

The restrictions include:

• Not being able to drive in dark hours, during the nights (unless the driver is 18 years old or if he or she have completed the online driving course) without any adult (generally 11pm like in Pennsylvania, o 1am like in Wisconsin). Nevertheless, some States (like North Carolina) increase this period from 9pm. Some States, like i.e. New York, offers some exemptions for special situations, like driving to or from work, School, medical reasons, religious activities; but there are others like Massachusetts that does not contemplate no exemption.
• Restriction for carrying passengers under certain age. I.e. In California is not permitted to transport any passenger under 20 years old for the first year of the license, unless those passengers are direct family (siblings, cousins, nease/neffew or any other older than 21 with a valid drivers license).

Chauffeur's license:

This kind of license is generally called Class E. Some States only add an endorsement to a regular license, and others just don't require any special permit to drive a taxi or limousine. In Florida it was very common to issue licenses for limousines in the license Class D, designation that was eliminated in 2006. Regardless if the State issue or not the Chauffeur’s license, the driver must always obtain a permit from the State he or she is operating from.

Motorcycle license:

Only for Motorcycles, frequently combined with the regular drivers license. In some States this one does not include some types of motorcycles, scooters or motorized bikes, and the driver must find what classification is the correct one for his or her vehicle in that particular State. A common criteria, but no universal, is to check if the motorcycle has a 250cc or less, the wheel size, kind of transmission, and legal code to distinguish the moped and scooters from motorcycles.

Improved licenses:

This kind of license is issued for american citizens in Washington, Michigan, California, Vermont, New York and Minnesota, and se the nationality of the driver appart of the drivers permit. A EDL is a compatible document with a WHTI, acceptable document to cross land or sea borders incoming from Canada, Caribe or Mexico. TO apply for this kind of license it is necessary to bring an American passport and a birth certificate as proof of the nationality. The commercial license and the Motorcycle license also have the same option to be improved.

Permit for disabled persons

The permit for disabled persons is issued to those people who comply with a responsible standard driving and parking access. Special access is issued to improve their life when driving. In some States, like in Texas, the disable person can be forced to surrender his or her licenses depending on their disability.

Driver license laws.

The minimum age to obtain a restricted driver’s license in America goes between 14 year old, 3 months in South Dakota, to 17 years old in New Jersey. In most of the States, with the exception of South Dakota, the graduated license will be issued for junior drivers and teenager drivers, who carry the name of Provisional Driver, Junior Operator, Driver in trial period, or intermediate license.

These licenses have some restrictions, like the passenger limit or driving in dark hours for young people. I.e. Younger drivers under 18 in Utah are not allowed to drive other than family members for the first 6 months of issued the license.

Nevertheless, different from Australia and some States in Canada, the law to graduated licenses does not establish reduced speed limits, special plates L and P, restrictions to trailers, or restriction to certain highways and for some specific kind of cars.

Use of license as Identification and proof of age.

There is not two license numbers issued by the State that are equal. Due to identity theft, the Social Security Number does not appear on the drivers license. To comply with the Standar from the AAMVA, most of the States issue the licenses vertically for minors of 21 years old, and horizontally for people older than 21. This way, it is really easy to check if the person is allowed to buy alcohol for example, just seeing the orientation of the driver's license ( The legal age to buy alcoholic beverages in the States is 21).

Keep in mind that this is not like this in all cases, I.e. in Arizona, the orientation of the drivers license can be easily changed regardless of the age, besides, the drivers license doesn't expire until the driver turns 65 years old in Arizona. Most of the States demand drivers to obtain a license issued in their own territory within a certain period of time.

Real ID

The National Security Department has the power to establish the Standards related to identification cards and its design and the driver's license design. The States are not forced to comply with the real ID, but if they do not use the new identification cards or driver’s licenses, there will be no valid identification to pursue any oficial activity with the federal government, which means that the entrance to some federal buildings, aeroplanes and official installations will be denied to the holder of this State’s ID.

It is necessary that this king of ID is revised and proved by the DHS to be able to issue Real ID cards, this way, the requirements for Real ID will be fulfilled.

It is ok to issue regular IDs, but these ones must be marked by a "No for Federal identification". The Real IDs are valid for 8 years. The Real ID is only issued for American citizens or legal residents of the States.

Improved Driver’s licenses

From May 2009, only the States of Washington, New York, Vermont and Michigan issued this kind of license. From January 2014, Minnesota was added to the list; now we will have Ohaio that is pending on the approval of the DHS to become on the 6th State to issue Real IDs.

The Secretary of National Security announced in March 2008, that the Improved drivers licenses issue in Washington was the first license approved by the “Occidental Hemisphere Travel Initiative”; According to the press communication of the National Security Department, they are also working with Arizona to develop new improved drivers licences there.

On September 15th, 2008, New York started to issue Improved drivers licenses that comply with the WHTI. Texas was on its way to implement this as well, but the governor Rick Perry stopped all the program, despite that we are talking of a state law authorized by the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue EDL and a final decision of the State general attorney, Greg Abbott, that the production of EDL in Texas will comply with the federal requirements.

Digital drivers licences.

The digital License does not require any additional hardware and includes a policy of "Do not touch" that allows the owner to be in possession of the mobile device at any moment.

In October 2018, the State Secretary of Louisiana, Kyle Ardoin, approved the digital ID for the identification of voting people at elections. In January 2019, the Alcohol and Tobacco Office in Louisiana approved the use of the digital ID through LA Wallet as a way of identification of age to purchase cigarettes and alcohol.

Some tips for your drivers license test in 165 Center Street:

If you go to take your driver's test chances are that, if your a car Enthusiast, this is one of the most exciting days of your life and even if you're not it opens up a world of possibilities for traveling and do things you never could have done before. If you follow these few simple tips you'll be well on your way and you'll pass it with flying colors.

Watch out your mirrors

Before leaving the parking lot and getting out on the road is important to check out your mirrors, adjust your seat position, adjust the steering wheel position and of course fasten your seatbelt.

Proper hand position

Proper hand position is at 9 and 3, and i guarantee if you drive one-handed at the 12 position you're going to fail your test. It's important to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. Of course if you have a manual transmission vehicle you have to take one hand off the ship, but this will keep your test administrator feeling safe and you will be in the most control of your vehicle.

Changing lanes

When changing lanes is important to do the following: First Signal, then look in your rearview mirror all by your side mirror, look over your shoulder, and if is safe, then you can go. Once you're in the lane that you're moving into all the way, then you can turn your turn indicator. Always signal if you're changing lanes no matter if there's no traffic around you, for the driver's test it is important to check both mirrors, look over your shoulder and use your turn signal.

When changing multiple lanes

If you're going over multiple Lanes always go from one lane to the next, pause for a little bit of time, then turn your turning indicator on, look at both mirrors over shoulder, go to the next line, pause and then go to the next. Shooting over across 4 Lanes of traffic is a good way to fail the test.

Onto a street with a high speed limit

Always give yourself plenty of time when pulling out onto a street with a high speed limit. It will not annoy the person providing your test if you wait there until it's safe.

If you pull out in front of a car that is moving quickly and do not give yourself enough room you're going to lose points. Waiting until there's plenty of space, more so than you think you would need normally, it is the proper way to do it.

If you fear to one side of the lane

Often beginner drivers tend of fear to one side of the lane or the other. On a single Lane road that means you might been too close to the double yellow or too close to the shoulder. If you need to prevent this there is a technique that you can used that is really helpful when you're learning, is to look farther ahead in the road and try to imagine the center of the road, picture a line in the center of the lane you're in passing through the center of your vehicle. This helps keep you in the center of your lane which is important for succeeding at the driver's test.

When coming to a stop sign

When you´re coming to a stop sign or an stop or red light is really important to stop before the white line in the road. That mean, when you're coming to a full stop, you should still be able to see the white line in front of the hood of your car. Then, if it's a blind turn, once you come to a full start, now you can start creeping out a little bit further and further so you can see the flow of traffic and make your right or left turn.

Always use a safe following distance between yourself and the car in front of you. The higher the speed limit is, the more the following distance between cars. That is because, if the person in front of you breaks all the sudden, you want to give yourself enough time to react.

On braking

Also, before you break, always check your rearview mirror. If you come onto a stop abruptly and there's a car right behind you, they could run into you. Obviously if it's an emergency situation this isn't always possible, but in the ideal case always check your mirror before braking.

Keep your eyes moving

Always keep your eyes constantly scanning the road for pedestrian, any obstacles or turns that are coming up. That means checking your mirrors constantly: Your rearview mirror, your side mirrors, looking over your shoulder. Being attentive and showing that you're paying attention is going to make a great impression to pass your road test.

Cut corners tip

When making protective left turns people often cut corners. Is something that everyone does on the road all the time: passing over a double yellow or a white line is a great way to fail your driver's test so make sure to take it wide enough, stay in the guidelines when you're making left turns and not cut any corners.

Make smooth movements

Be as smooth as possible. this means smooth steering inputs, smooth braking and smooth acceleration. Being jerky is not going to go well.

Drive defensively, not aggressively

Drive defensively not aggressively. This day is about proving that you are a safe driver.

Please, don't speed

Don't speed. This is very important. In general people are used to going 5 miles an hour over the speed limit or so when driving in a daily situation but for the test you cannot do that. Speed limit or below is required.

Also having a radar detector in your car for the test probably won't leave a very good first impression.

Pre-drive test checklist:

The DMV wants to check if you are proficient with all the controls on the inside the car before you start the driver test.

Here's a sample of the pre Drive checklist:

• The DMV will tell you to turn the car on, but don't start it.
• Turn the turn signal on to the left and then the right.
• Turn the headlights on.
• Turn the headlights off.
• Turn the windshield wipers on.
• Turn on the emergency flashers in the morning.
• The examiner may ask you, if you come out in the morning and there's frost on your front window, how do you defrost your front window? You selected froster, turn the fan on to number 2 or higher and select the “Heat”.
• Any other examiner will ask you to show them your defrosters: Where are they located?
• The Examiner will then ask you to disengage the emergency parking brake and then, engage the emergency parking brake.
• They will then ask you to honk the horn.

Identification Cards

The Identification cards are issued to all citizens with no age requirement by the Department of Motor and Vehicles. This ID card is similar to the Drivers License, but it can only be used for identification purposes.

There are two different types of cards, the regular one, that is valid for 6 years, and the one issued for elderly persons that can only be requested if the person is older than 62 years old, this last one has a validity of 10 years.

If the applicant is a beneficiary from a public assistance program from the government, there is a chance that he or she can apply for the Identification card presenting the form “Reduced cost verification for ID card” to the Department of Vehicles.

Tips for a perfect drivers license road test in 165 Center Street:

If you go to take your driver's test and your a car Enthusiast, this will be one of the most exciting days of your life and, if you're not, it opens up a world of possibilities for traveling and do things you never could have done before.

If you follow these few simple tips you'll be well on your way and you'll pass it with flying colors.

About mirrors

Before leaving the parking lot and getting out on the road is important to check out your mirrors, adjust your seat position, adjust the steering wheel position and of course fasten your seatbelt.

Proper hand position

Proper hand position is at 9 and 3, and i guarantee if you drive one-handed at the 12 position you're going to fail your test. It's important to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. Of course if you have a manual transmission vehicle you have to take one hand off the ship, but this will keep your test administrator feeling safe and you will be in the most control of your vehicle.

Changing lanes

When changing lanes is important to do the following: First Signal, then look in your rearview mirror all by your side mirror, look over your shoulder, and if is safe, then you can go. Once you're in the lane that you're moving into all the way, then you can turn your turn indicator.

Always signal if you're changing lanes no matter if there's no traffic around you, is important to check both mirrors, look over your shoulder and use your turn signal.

Multiple lanes changing

If you're going over multiple Lanes always go from one lane to the next, pause for a little bit of time, then turn your turning indicator on, look at both mirrors over shoulder, go to the next line, pause and then go to the next. Shooting over across 4 Lanes of traffic is a good way to fail the test.

Pulling out onto a high speed street

Always give yourself plenty of time when pulling out onto a street with a high speed limit. It will not annoy the person providing your test if you wait there until it's safe. If you pull out in front of a car that is moving quickly and do not give yourself enough room you're going to lose points. Waiting until there's plenty of space, more so than you think you would need normally, it is the safe way to do it.

Stay in the center of the lane

Often beginner drivers tend of fear to one side of the lane or the other. On a single Lane road that means you might been too close to the double yellow or too close to the shoulder. If you need to prevent this there is a technique that you can used that is really helpful when you're learning, is to look farther ahead in the road and try to imagine the center of the road, picture a line in the center of the lane you're in passing through the center of your vehicle. This helps keep you in the center of your lane which is important for succeeding at the driver's test.

Tip for make a perfect stop

When coming to a stop sign or an stop or red light is important to stop before the white line in the road. That mean, when you're coming to a full stop, you should still be able to see the white line in front of the hood of your car ( This is important ). Then, if it's a blind turn, once you come to a full start, now you can start creeping out a little bit further and further so you can see the flow of traffic and make your right or left turn. Always use a safe following distance between yourself and the car is in front of you. The higher the speed limit is, the more the following distance because, if the person in front of you breaks all the sudden, you want to give yourself enough time to react.

Before you break

Also, before you break, always check your rearview mirror. If you come onto a stop abruptly and there's a car right behind you, they could run into you. Obviously if it's an emergency situation this isn't always possible, but in the ideal case always check your mirror before braking.

Keep your eyes moving

Always keep your eyes constantly scanning the road for pedestrian, any obstacles or turns that are coming up. That means checking your mirrors constantly: Your rearview mirror, your side mirrors, looking over your shoulder. Being attentive and showing that you're paying attention is going to make a great impression to pass your road test.

When making turns

When making protective left turns people often cut corners. Passing over a double yellow or a white line is a great way to fail your driver's test so make sure to take it wide enough, stay in the guidelines when you're making left turns and not cut any corners.

Drive as smooth as possible

Be as smooth as possible in your movements. It means smooth braking, smooth acceleration, smooth steering inputs, etc. Being jerky is not going to go well.

Drive defensively

Drive defensively not aggressively. This day is about proving that you are a safe driver.

Please, don't speed

Obviously don't speed. This is more difficult than it sounds. In general people are used to going 5 miles an hour over the speed limit or so when driving in a daily situation but for the test you cannot do that. Speed limit or below is required.

Also having a radar detector in your car for the test if won't be a great idea.

Pre-drive test

The DMV wants to check if you are proficient with all the controls on the inside the car before you start the driver test.

Here's a sample of the pre Drive checklist:

• The DMV will tell you to turn the car on, but don't start it.
• Turn the turn signal on to the left and then the right.
• Turn the headlights on.
• Turn the headlights off.
• Turn the windshield wipers on.
• Turn on the emergency flashers in the morning.
• The examiner may ask you, if you come out in the morning and there's frost on your front window, how do you defrost your front window? You selected froster, turn the fan on to number 2 or higher and select the “Heat”.
• Any other examiner will ask you to show them your defrosters: Where are they located?
• The Examiner will then ask you to disengage the emergency parking brake and then, engage the emergency parking brake.
• They will then ask you to honk the horn.

Registration

There are different options to renovate the driving license. The first option is to do it via Internet, to do it online, the applicant must possess the plates license and the last five digits of the vehicle Identification Number; in case of a vessel or boat you will need the Hull Identification Number, and the smog certification; last, you will need to have the renewal notice with your current home address.

At the moment of the renewal the applicant must not have any doubt or infraction. Once the applicant has processed the renewal, he or she will receive a sticker within the next 5 days with the renovated plate.

The second option is through a DMV auto service terminal (Department of Motorized Vehicles), there you can have the new sticker instantly. Apart from the registry renewal, you can operate other formalities from there, like paying the restitutio fare for suspension of the vehicle plate, present or renew the affidavit of a non-used vehicle, among others.

These kinds of terminals help to avoid waiting lines and to make more efficient and fast transactions, you may use these terminals for all kinds of vehicles,pickups, motorcycles, house trailers and commercial vehicles that don't need a commercial plate.

The last option for registry renewal is through the BPA (Business Partners Automatization program). The DMV allows that business partners have the chance to process and issue license plates, enabling decals and plates among others.

Titling

The titling of a vehicle establishes an individual person or a business, as a legal operator of the Vehicle, and every State of USA possesses different procedures to obtain this kind of certification.

When a sale/purchase of a vehicle happens, the titling of it must be transferred to the new owner, unless there is a financed purchase, in which case, the owner remains the same until the payment is complete, that way, the titling is transferred to the new owner. When this documentation is lost, the owner can apply for a copy in the State where the title had been issued.

The data that we can find in this documentation are: Identification Number, brand of the vehicle, year of production, plate number, owner details and, in case there is a doubt at the moment, the data of the person to whom the money is owed.

Plates

In the States, the plates or vehicle plates generally possess between 5 to 7 characters, depending on the State where the plate is being issued you can find different alphanumeric combinations.

These are usually assigned in ascending order except some exemptions, therefore, someone who is familiarized with this can determine approximately in what moment the plate was issued.

In some States, the last two digits of the plate inform its expiration date.

Right now, the style of these plates may vary according to the State, but most of them show the name and the design from the State where it was issued, and the alphanumeric code over a reflective plate.

There are also different Special diplomatic plates, issued by the State Department to those who are entitled for it. Those plates can count with a letter (that represents the State where it is issued), two more letters (that represent the country code), and then, three or four random numbers. Or well, four numbers, two letters to identify the country and another letter to identify the State where it is issued.

This is the case for the identification of plates issued for the ONU vehicles.

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