“Ask George”: Expert Answers to Common DMV Questions
January 28, 2011
Columnist
By George Valverde
Director, California Department of Motor Vehicles
Do you have questions about general driving related requirements like registration and insurance? Are you unclear about laws and restrictions related to driving? The California Department of Motor Vehicles has answers. “Save Time by Going Online,” at www.dmv.ca.gov.
Q: English is my mother’s second language. She is almost ready to take her driving exam, but is concerned that she will not be able to fully understand the DMV Driver’s Handbook. She listens to a lot of audio books in her downtime - does the DMV offer any similar options for the Driver’s Handbook in Spanish?
A: Yes! The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has added another feature to its growing list of Internet services. The California Driver’s Handbook 2008 is now available in MP3 audio format in both English and Spanish.
Customers may listen to the handbook directly from a personal computer or the audio files may be downloaded from their personal computers to an iPod or other MP3 player. The printed handbook is available in Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. Note: The audio California Driver’s Handbook 2008 is currently only available in English and Spanish.
This project has been a long-term goal for the Department because it not only provides a learning alternative for the public, but this new medium will improve traffic safety in California. To download go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/audio_hdbk_toc.htm
Q: My mother and my 17-year-old brother are coming to visit from New York next month for three weeks, but I’m worried that they won’t be able to drive themselves around when I am at work. She has a valid New York driver license and my brother has a valid New York instruction permit. Will this be enough for them to drive in California?
A: In your mother’s case, visitors over age 18 with a valid driver license from their home state or country will be allowed to drive without getting a California driver license. In your brother’s case, he will only be allowed to drive for the first 10 days of his visit using his New York instruction permit. After the 10-day period, he will need to get either a California driver license or a Nonresident Minor’s Certificate. This certificate is issued by the DMV to a minor who has provided proof of financial responsibility. Log on to www.dmv.ca.gov and click on the Online Services tab to make an appointment for your brother today! Save time. Go Online!
Q: Can I make payments to the DMV through my bank?
A: Yes. The DMV has the capability to accept fees for its online services, such as registration and driver license renewal fees, through online checking as long as you provide your bank with the license plate number of your vehicle. Contact your bank for details regarding your account allowances and limitations or for more information, visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/genfaq.htm.
Q: My father only speaks Spanish so I always try to make sure I help him with his DMV needs. A few months ago, when I was not available to help him, he tried to use the online appointment service on the Spanish DMV Web site and found that there was no Spanish version! Will this feature be added soon?
A: Yes. The DMV has recently gone live with the online appointment service on the Spanish DMV Web site. Now Spanish-speaking customers can log on to www.es.dmv.ca.gov to use the 24/7 appointment service to make appointments at any field office statewide. Like the English version, he will be able to make appointments for:
· Driving tests
· Vehicle Title and Registration services
· Driver License services and more
Stay tuned as the DMV continues to add more online services this coming year at www.dmv.ca.gov and www.es.dmv.ca.gov.
Q: Is it permissible to drive a golf cart on the sidewalk?
A: A golf cart is a motor vehicle and pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 21663, motor vehicles cannot be operated on sidewalks except to enter and exit adjacent property. Golf carts can only be operated on highways with speed limits of no more than 25 mph. For more information, go to: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21115.htm.
Q: Are there exceptions to the restrictions that minors must follow when they hold a provisional license?
A: The law makes the following exceptions when reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for a minor to drive. For all exceptions, a signed note must be kept in the minor’s possession at all times explaining the necessity and the date it will end.
· Medical necessity when there are no other reasonable forms of transportation. A note must be signed by a physician and explain the diagnosis and the probable date of recovery.
· Schooling or school-authorized activity. A note must be signed by the school principal, dean or his/her designee.
· Employment necessity. If a vehicle must be operated as part of employment, the note must be signed by the employer verifying employment.
· Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
· If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, emancipation must have already been declared and Proof of Financial Responsibility must have been provided to the DMV in lieu of guarantors’ signatures.
For more information about Provisional Driver Licenses please go to: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#duplicateID_DL
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.
