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Plano Driver License Office in 2109 West Parker Road, Ste. 224

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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

The first driver instructors were the car dealers, family members, friends, or organizations like the YMCA. Around 1930, a lot of High Schools offered vial education.

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A hardship license for minors is different than a hardship license given to the drivers whose licenses had been revoked or suspended.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

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.

Some States have additional classifications. I.e. Hawaii counts with a special license for motorcycle drivers, and other States count for other separated categories for snow bikes and all terrain vehicles. South Carolina and Georgia issue different versions of commercial licenses for agrobusiness.

Foreing government officials and diplomats.

The licenses issued by OFM are equal to a regular license issued by the State. This is one of a kind exemption to the states and territories who issue driver's licenses, the Office of Foreign Missions from the State Department issue driver's licenses for those government officials and diplomatis regardless of the State where they live.

Driver license laws.

The federal law establishes that the minimum age to drive an interstate commercial vehicle is 21 years old, as a result, the minimum age to apply for a full drivers license is 21.

To be able to drive a School bus it is mandatory to count with a CDL, however, the minimum age to drive a School bus could be older, around 25 years old. Some States issue some restricted interstate drivers licenses, only valid to drive commercial vehicles from that State, oriented to drivers of 18 years of age or older.

The professional drivers between 18 and 21 years old generally are not allowed to drive trailers, Dangerous goods or School buses.

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

When an interested person applies for a Real ID, as a new applicant or to revenew an old one, he or she must present a citizen document (american passport, birth certificate, Social Security Number, Change of name certificate - if apply- and two proofs of residence on the State). The State will check the documents and will keep a copy. It is not permitted to have more than one Real ID at the time.

A Real ID can be easily identified depending on the State. These nes have a gold or black star on the upper right corner of the card. From October 2011, Connecticut also issued them. From January 2013, Ohia is issuing the Real ID under the name "Safe Identification Card".

California began to issue real IDs in 2018.

Improved Driver’s licenses

Some States, generally the ones that share an international border line, issue improved drivers licenses and ID cards. The Improved Licenses combine the standard driver license with the specifications of the federal passport.

Therefore, apart from the driving privileges, we also have proof of american citizenship and we can cross borders into Canada and Mexico by highway, railroad or sea, even though if we want to cross the border by aeroplane, that will still require a passport. The improved licenses are compatible with the Real IDs.

Digital drivers licences.

Delaware, Iowa and California made a proposition for digital driver licenses as an Identification card. The license will be available as an app by MorphoTrust USA and installed on the mobile phone of the titular. There are some revisions of this because of the privacy policy, as if an officer needs to check the license, he or she will have access to the mobile phone of that person.

In 2016, Louisiana approved the project of law 481, that then became the Law 625, turning Louisiana as the first State to count with digital driver licenses accepted by LA wallet, an application created by Envoc released in July 2018.

This law allows all Louisiana residents to present a digital Id using the LA Wallet to the petition of any police officer, parish or municipality.

Tips for an excellent road test in 2109 West Parker Road, Ste. 224:

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 adjust your mirrors, your seat position, steering wheel position and of course fasten your seatbelt.

Proper 9 and 3 hand position

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. 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.

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

Now if you're going over multiple Lanes ( For example you're on a four-lane road ) always go from one lane to the next, pause for a little bit, 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.

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. To prevent that there is a technique that some people used that is 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

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

Keep your eyes always in movement

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

Always be as smooth as possible. It means smooth braking, smooth steering inputs, smooth acceleration, etc. 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 not the next F1 star. Prove that on the racetrack.

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 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 an excellent road test in 2109 West Parker Road, Ste. 224:

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.

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.

9 and 3 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.

Proper lane changing

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.

When changing multiple lanes

Now if you're going over multiple Lanes ( For example you're on a four-lane road ) always go from one lane to the next, pause for a little bit, 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 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.

Stoping on a stop sing or red light propertly

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.

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. 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.

Be 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, not aggressively

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 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 one sample of a 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 and off.
• Turn the windshield wipers on and off.
• 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 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 make ask you to honk the horn.

CDL Written

In the USA there is a law called "Commercial Vehicles Security law", that establishes the requirements that a State must comply when issuing a commercial License. There are 3 different type of licenses:

Class A, for those vehicles that pass the 10.000 pounds of weight.

Class B, for those vehicles that has less than 10.000 òunds of weight.

Class C, for those vehicles that do not comply with the weights in class A or B but are designed to carry 16 passengers or more, or to carry dangerous goods materials.

The minimum age to apply for this license is 18 years old, except some exceptions in some States. Nevertheless, in case of interstate commerce it is essential that who applies counts with no less than 21 years of age. Previous to 1992, the year where this license was implemented, the requirements varied according to the State, as the commercial vehicles required special skills and knowledge.

The applicant wasn't always ready for this, and that led to a lot of accidents. From this year forward, after this law was released, the Federal HighWay administration (FHWA) developed some standard tests for those who wanted this special license, only those who successfully passed the written and the practice test could access the license.

The written test counts with a minimum of 30 questions about vial safety and parts of a trailer truck, to passmark is stated in 80 percent.

CDL Driving

The driving test that every applicant must pass to access to the Commercial Drivers License may vary according to the State where it is issued. In general, the applicant must have practice hours that can be obtained through a program focused on teaching special abilities and maneuvers to trailer truck drivers.

This way, the operation of this vehicle becomes safer, and apart from this, the driver learns how to read maps and how to plan trips among other information. This type of vial education is a lot more completed and advanced than the one required for a regular drivers license. Actually, there are a large number of CDL Schools in the States, and also, a lot of truck companies own their own schools.

The driving test also requires the performance of some maneuvers that the driver must perform in the vehicle he or she wants to drive or a similar one with all the same equipment.

The drivers of commercial vehicles must prove that they are eligible at a physical level to drive these kind of vehicles, therefore, after the test is passed, he or she will have to be examined by a certified doctor from the Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, who will enable the driver before the Motorized Vehicles Office.

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