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| - | Procedures and regulations governing driving licenses vary from country to country and state to state. In general, issuance of a valid license involves passing a written test and a driving test in order to prove the required qualification and competence. In some countries, such as the United States, obtaining a license is fairly simple and easy, whereas in other countries, such as Germany or Dubai, getting a license may either be very costly and may require several attempts. While visitors are advised to carry an '''International Driving License''' before they travel abroad, the validity of such a license also varies by country.
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| - | ==Applying for a License in the U.S.== | + | This wiki has moved to <font style="font-size:150%">'''http://www.foreignliving.info'''</font>. Please update your bookmarks. |
| - | Each state has it's own driving regulations, but most of them are very similar. When preparing for a driving test, be sure to use the handbook for your particular state.
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| - | It is advisable to obtain a driving license as soon as possible, even if you do not plan on driving or even have a car, for the following reasons:
| + | You can locate the current page under the same categories on the new site. In case of problems, email help[[image:at_black.png]]foreignliving.info. |
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| - | * The driving license serves as the primary means of identification at most places in the United States. Although it is possible to obtain a state ID (which is a non-driving photo-id), most of the times it is more convenient if you simply have a driving license.
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| - | * The older your driving license, lesser the insurance premium you will have to pay (assuming you haven't been going around crashing cars in the meantime). Therefore, the earlier you obtain a license, the better.
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| - | ===The Driving Test===
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| - | The driving test consists of two parts: the written examination and road test. The written examination consists of multiple choice questions based on content from the driving handbook. As of January 2007, the test consists of 30 questions, of which 21 must be answered correctly in order to pass. The fee (in Texas) is $24 for the written test, which includes up to three tries in case you do not manage to pass in your first and second attempts. The test itself is fairly easy given basic familiarity with the handbook and it is rare for people not to pass in their first attempt. The main emphasis of the test is on:
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| - | * '''Road Signs''': The meaning of road-signs, including
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| - | ** the meaning of particular signs
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| - | ** which shapes and colors denote what type of signs
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| - | ** what should the driver's response be to a particular type of a road-sign
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| - | * '''Alcohol and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)''': This section involves several numbers and quantities, which unfortunately have to be committed to memory. Questions include
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| - | ** minimum acceptable blood alcohol-level
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| - | ** the maximum fines for 1st, 2nd and subsequent DWI offenses, intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.
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| - | ** the minimum and maximum license suspension terms for 1st, 2nd and subsequent DWI offense, intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.
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| - | ** the minimum and maximum confinement/imprisonment for the 1st, 2nd and subsequent DWI offenses, intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.
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| - | ** the minimum and maximum penalties as a result of non-driving incidents.
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| - | * '''Speed and Speed Limits'''. Typically, there is a question on how many feet it takes your car to come to a halt if you are driving at a particular speed. Such information is usually summarized on a single page in the handbook and is easy to miss. In the Texas Driver's Handbook, it is given in ''Chapter 8 - Speed and Speed Limits'' (page 8-1)
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| - | For a better idea of the kind of questions to expect on the actual test, take a look at the [http://www.virtualdriveoftexas.com/lp_quiz/lpquiz_content.html sample test] (this one is for Texas). Practice tests for other states can be found at [http://virtualdriveofamerica.com/ Virtual Driver Ed of America].
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| - | ===The Road Test===
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| - | * Your vehicle will be inspected for all lights, indicators, brakes, valid insurance etc so make sure that your vehicle is in perfect shape for the test.
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| - | * Preferably take the test on a small sized car rather than a van or SUV.It is easier to park a small car in marked space for parallel and reverse parking.
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| - | * Practice on the same vehicle which you are using for the test.
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| - | * The major difference in driving is switching from right hand driving to left hand driving. One should keep reminding himself during the test that he has to keep to the right side of the road.
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| - | * The stop signs are very important, any violation of these will straight away lead to failure.
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| - | * The test includes parallel parking which we don't do very often so it needs to be practiced before undertaking test.
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| - | MORE POINTS CAN BE ADDED TO ROAD TEST HERE
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| - | ===Defensive Driving===
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| - | Participants who successfully complete the class will be issued a certificate for insurance reduction. The class usually lasts the whole day, e.g. from 9 am to 4 pm. The fee (in Texas) is $25.
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| - | For more information, take a look at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_driving wikipedia article on defensive driving].
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| - | (Wanted: more information from someone who has attended such a session).
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| - | ===International Driving License===
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| - | (Info wanted: how is the pakistan-issued int'l license treated in the US? for how long is it valid before getting a local one? is tehre a disadvantage/advantage to using an int'l license in the US?)
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| - | ==Applying for a License in Germany==
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| - | * General information: http://www.fahrschule-haege.de/English_informations/english_informations.html
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| - | ==Applying for a License in Country XYZ==
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| - | Add content here.
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| - | ==Links==
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| - | * Parallel Parking Game: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pparkgame.html
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| - | * Virtual Driver Ed of America: http://virtualdriveofamerica.com/
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You can locate the current page under the same categories on the new site. In case of problems, email help
foreignliving.info.
foreignliving.info.
