Passing your driving test and getting your driver license is an important part of becoming an adult in today’s age. While not everybody is able to drive (perhaps due to medical or other reasons), a majority of people are, so as long as you are able, you should definitely take the steps to get your license to drive.
Driving is one of the simplest forms of travel that we have. Unlike public transportation, driving yourself opens up many more possibilities in where you want to go, when you want to go there, and when you want to go back home. This form of autonomy cannot be understated. Even with ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft, and the more traditional taxi services available, the cost of those can be significantly greater than the investment of having your own personal transportation.
Taking Your First Driving Test
Your first driving test can be a little daunting or nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t have to be. Hopefully you have a seasoned driver available to you to help you with the ins and outs of learning how to drive. Having a vehicle to practice with is also something you want to look into, even if you aren’t able to actually have one of your own for the time being.
The most important thing to remember when learning is to stay calm. You will want to practice somewhere with no other traffic, like an empty lot or other deserted area. Listen to the person helping you, and do not be afraid to ask questions. The only bad question is one you don’t ask.
You will also want to learn all of the functions of the car. This includes acceleration, braking, turn signals, windshield wipers, headlights, mirrors, even the air conditioning system and other functions of the car you might not initially think are important.
Study Materials For Your Driving Test
Depending on your state, you will likely have a driver handbook specific to your state which will include local driving laws and regulations. Not every state has the same driving regulations, so make sure you are using the correct material. You can usually find it either online or at your local DMV.
It is important to study this guidebook carefully. It will have lots of information on how to safely operate a motor vehicle in your state. There are certain situations that might not come up very often (such as multiple cars arriving at a Stop sign at the same time; who has the right of way?), but you should still know how to act in those situations.
Another important thing to know is that not everybody else on the road will follow the rules. You will come across distracted drivers and drivers that either don’t know or don’t care about road rules. You will want to learn to drive defensively and always be aware of other vehicles on the road.
Watching videos is also a great learning tool, especially for uncommon situations. Being able to visually see what is happening and how to react can go a long way in your learning. This is also good if there is not much traffic in the area you’ll be driving, so it will be a good chance to see other driving situations and scenarios.
Commercial Driving Tests
A commercial driving test is required to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This is different from a standard Driver’s License as it is used when conducting business and driving large vehicles like trucks or vehicles carrying dangerous or hazardous materials.
Seeing as how driving a CDL vehicle is tied to business, there are a few more regulations involved. A vision exam along with other medical records will need to be submitted, including a Medical Examination Report and Medical Examiner’s Certificate. These will ensure that you are physically and medically capable of handling the rigorous requirements of driving commercial vehicles.
There are class A, class B, and Class C CDL licenses. Class A licenses are for vehicles over 26,000 lbs. towing a vehicle over 10,000 lbs., Class B licenses are for vehicles over 26,000 lbs. towing a vehicle under 10,000 lbs., and Class C licenses are for passenger transport vehicles of 16 or more persons and for vehicles transporting hazardous materials.