Q: I just moved to California and I need to get a California driver license, but my birth certificate and social security card were lost during my move. Can I still get a driver license?
A: Good news! You can still obtain a driver license, but must be able to furnish other proof of your birth date. The DMV accepts a variety of documentation as verification of your birth date, not just your birth certificate. To see a list of documents acceptable by the DMV for birth date verification, log on to the DMV Web site at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htmBDLP. Remember, the document must be an original or a certified copy. Your social security number will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the DMV office. To save time, schedule an appointment online at www.DMV.ca.gov.
Q: What are the most current teen driving rules?
A: New laws and regulations can be confusing for teens and their parents when obtaining a driver permit or provisional license. The DMV has provided teens with an online resource for information about the driver license process, driver safety and even insurance requirements. The site even includes practice tests for teens and can be found at www.DMV.ca.gov/teenweb. Additionally, parents can download and review the Parent-Teen Training Guide to help their teens be better prepared for safe driving on the road. The guide can be downloaded at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl603/dl603.pdf.
Q: Are senior citizens required to re-take a driver's road test at a certain age?
A: The DMV does not take away driver licenses when a person reaches a certain age. The mental and/or physical condition or a person's inability to follow traffic laws and rules, regardless of age, determines whether or not a license is renewed, restricted, suspended or revoked. However, the DMV does require that all persons over the age of 70 renew their driver license in person at a DMV office. There you will be asked to take a vision test using the wall chart. Individuals may be asked to retake a driving test if they have either failed the DMV vision test or have been referred to a Driver Safety office because of a physical or mental condition, sometimes made by a law enforcement officer or a concerned family member. If you or someone you know is an elderly citizen that faces the prospect of retaking a driving test, it is a great idea to practice his or her driving skills by taking a driver education or training class specifically developed for older persons. A list of approved mature driving courses is available online at the DMV's Web site here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/md_programs.htm. To better prepare seniors to renew their license, the DMV has created a senior-specific Web site that can be found here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior_top.htm.
"Save Time by Going Online" with the DMV at www.dmv.ca.gov. The DMV is a department under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Dale E. Bonner. The DMV licenses drivers, maintains driving records, registers and tracks official ownership of vehicles and vessels, investigates auto and identity-related fraud, and licenses car dealers, driving schools, and traffic violator schools. For more information about the DMV, visit www.dmv.ca.gov.