Obtaining a Driver's License

Once you have obtained your learner's permit, you will be able to apply for your driver's license. This involves taking a driving skills test. You will be required to drive for a certain amount of time, to show your ability to drive safely with traffic. In some states, this will involve driving on the highway or freeway.

The instructor will sit next to you in the car and will tell you where to drive and when to turn. They will be looking for things such as: whether you drive safely and respect your fellow drivers, whether you observe the road signs and whether you look in your rear mirrors when you are changing lanes. Other typical skills observed and graded during the on-the-road driving test include:

• driving posture
• stopping, starting, and parking
• approaches to intersections, traffic signals and stop signs
• yielding right-of-way to pedestrians and other vehicles
• turning
• turn signals and use of the horn
• three point turnabout
• passing and being passed
• backing
• use of lanes
• quick stops - stopping quickly and safely as possible when told to do so
• shifting to a lower gear on a downgrade
• use of the clutch (in vehicles with standard transmissions)

If you pass the exam, you will be given a document that will allow you to legally drive. The license itself will be mailed to you within 90 days.