out of state?

[Winterfall]

I'm sorry if this question has been asked before, I tried doing a search but most of it was about insurance.
Anyways my question is, I'm in the military and just got here from Texas a couple of months ago, and I will be attending the MSF course in a couple of weeks. I'm a little concerned about what I have to do exactly in order to get my motorcycle license. I've been told that I have to take a shortened version of the CA driving test before getting my motorcycle permit? It's all a little unclear :confused
Thanks for any info you can give me =)

[Tom2]

I think this covers it:




ADULTS' PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

If you are 18 years old, meet the application requirements, and pass the tests, you may be issued a California driver license. There is no upper age limit.

If you want to obtain professional driver education and driver training, see here for more information.

You must have an instruction permit while learning to drive. Your accompanying driver must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid California driver license. The person must be with you in the vehicle, close enough to take control of it at any time. An instruction permit does not permit to you drive alone not even to a DMV office to take the driving test.

If you have an M1 or M2 permit, you cannot carry passengers, you must ride during daylight hours only, and you cannot ride on the freeway.

To get a permit, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Complete the application requirements.
Pass a traffic laws and road signs test.
ADULTS' LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

If you have never had any driver license, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Complete all the steps required for a permit.
Pass a behind-the-wheel driving test. If you fail the first driving test, you must pay a $5 retest fee for a second or third attempt and wait until the next day or the next available appointment before you are tested again.
If you have an out-of-state, or out-of-country license, or you are renewing a California driver license, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Complete all the steps required for a permit. (A temporary license will not be issued if your visual acuity is worse than 20/ 70 in both eyes together.)
Surrender your valid out-of country driver license. Out-of-state licenses will be
invalidated and returned.
NOTE: Driving tests for holders of out-of-state or U.S. territory licenses are normally waived. However, the department may require a driving test for any type of application. Driving tests are required for out-of-country license holders.

THE EXAMINATION PROCESS

Where To Take The Tests

You may take the written, vision, and driving tests at any DMV office which provides driver license services. Written and vision tests are required when you apply for an original or upgrade to a different class of license. Written tests may be required for a license renewal. Driving tests are usually waived for the class of license you currently have. However, the department may require a driving test for any type of application. Appointments are available for all DMV services. An appointment is usually required to take any driving test.

DMV Wants You To Pass

DMV wants you to pass your test. There are law exams in many different languages. However, you must have the ability to read traffic signs in English. If the language you read is not available, you may take the exam with the help of an interpreter. Audio exams and an English exam in large print are also available. If you have difficulty with an exam, tell the DMV employee. You can be more successful by following these suggestions:

Read this handbook. Take a few days to review the information.
Ask a family member or a friend to test your knowledge.
Read the test questions carefully. Don’t read anything extra into the question. There is only one correct answer.
All test questions are based on this handbook. If you miss a question, the DMV employee can tell you where to find the correct answer.
Review the sample test questions at the back of the handbook. Sample questions are also available online. DMV’s website: www.dmv.ca.gov.
DMV's Examinations

Your driver license examinations include:

A vision test. If you need glasses or corrective contact lenses to pass this test, you must wear them. Your license will show that you must wear “corrective lenses” while driving. If you do not pass the vision test, you will be referred to your vision specialist. A driving test may be required.
A test of traffic laws, road signs, and driving safety rules (written or audio) to find out if you know how to legally drive your vehicle.
A driving test, if required. This test is usually given by appointment only. For the driving test, bring
your old license or instruction permit, if you have one.
a licensed driver.
a vehicle that is safe to drive, currently and properly registered, and displays a front and rear license plate. The vehicle’s brake lights, horn, parking brake, and electric signals must work properly and the vehicle cannot have bald tires. The driver’s side window must roll down. The windshield must allow a full unobstructed field of vision and there must be two rear view mirrors (one on the left outside of the vehicle).
You will be asked to locate the controls for the vehicle’s headlights, windshield wipers,
defroster, and emergency flashers. You must demonstrate how to use the parking brake. You must show that your car is properly insured. If you use a rental car for the driving test, the driver’s name must show on the contract as the insured. You must also wear your seat belt.
NOTE: The driving test will be postponed if the vehicle does not meet the above requirements or
if you refuse to use your seat belt during the driving test.

The Driving Test

The driving test is your chance to show that you can drive safely. Only you and the examiner (or other DMV personnel) can be in the vehicle. No animal may be in the vehicle. The examiner will give you directions and will not trick you or ask you to do anything illegal. The driving test is only given after all the application requirements have been met.

You will be asked to show the arm signals. However, during the test, you must use the vehicle’s turn signal lights.

During the driving test, the examiner will note:

How you start your vehicle. When leaving the curb, do you use your mirrors and turn your
head and look back for passing cars? Do you signal, and wait until it is safe before entering traffic?
How you control your vehicle. Do you use the gas pedal, brake, steering wheel (hands on opposite sides), and other controls correctly?
How you drive in traffic. Do you use the proper lane? Do you signal, turn your head and look back before pulling away from the curb or when you change lanes? Do you signal the proper distance before turning? Do you follow other vehicles at a safe distance?
How you obey the traffic signals and posted signs (such as speed limit signs).
How you drive through blind or crowded intersections. Do you scan carefully for signs, signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles? Do you yield and take the right of way correctly?
How you steer your vehicle. Do you turn from the proper lane into the proper lane. Is your turn too wide or too sharp?
How you stop. Do you stop smoothly and at the limit line or at the corner? Can you stop quickly and safely in an emergency? In a vehicle with a manual transmission, do you keep the vehicle in gear or push the clutch in and coast to a stop?
How you back up. Do you look over your right shoulder while backing? Can you back in a straight line? Do you have complete control of the vehicle?
How you change your speed to suit the number and speed of nearby traffic, the people crossing the street, road conditions, weather, the amount of light, and the distance you can see ahead.
How you respect the rights of others. Are you courteous to other drivers and pedestrians?
Whether you pay full attention to the job of driving.
At the end of the driving test, the examiner will discuss the results with you and give you a copy of your score sheet. If you pass the driving test, you will be issued a 60-day interim license.

MISCELLANEOUS LICENSING INFORMATION

License Refusal

DMV takes the strongest action possible against anyone who alters or otherwise attempts to falsify a driver license. DMV may also refuse to issue you a license if you:

Have a history of alcohol or drug abuse.
Have used the license illegally or lied on your application or cheated on any license examination.
Do not understand traffic laws or signs.
Do not have the skill to drive or have a health problem that makes your driving unsafe.
Have an outstanding court action.
Impersonate an applicant or allow someone else to impersonate you to fraudulently qualify for a license.
Submit a fraudulent birth date/legal presence document or social security document.
Refuse to sign the certification on the application form (DL 44) or give a thumb print.
Also see Actions That Result In Loss Of License

Limited Term Licenses

Drivers with physical or medical conditions may need to be reexamined from time to time by a physician or be retested more often than every five years (limited term license status) by a DMV examiner. See the Health & Safety Section for more information.

License Extension

If you are away from California (up to one year), you may request a free one-year extension before your driver license expires. Limited term drivers are not eligible for this extension.

Mail your request to

DMV,
P.O. Box 942890,
Sacramento, CA 94290-0001.

Include your name, driver license number, birth date, California residence address, and your out-of-state address.

License in Your Possession

You must always have your driver license with you when you drive. Show it to any police officer who asks to see it. If you are in an accident, you must show it to the other driver(s) involved. (More information).

Unlicensed Drivers

It is against the law to loan your vehicle to a person who is unlicensed or whose driving privilege has been suspended. If the person is caught driving, your vehicle may be impounded for 30 days. (VC §14602.6)

No person of any age may drive on a highway or in a public parking facility unless the person has a valid driver license or permit. The law also states that you must not employ, permit, or authorize any unlicensed person to drive your vehicle on a public street or highway unless the person is licensed to drive that class of vehicle.

Renewal by Mail or Internet

If you have not already received two consecutive five-year extensions, you may be eligible to renew by mail, without taking a law test, if:

Your current license expires before age 70.
You do not have a probationary license. (VC §14250)
You have not violated a written promise to appear in court within the last two years.
You are not suspended for driving with an illegal blood alcohol content (BAC) level, or for refusing, or for failing to complete, a chemical or preliminary alcohol screening test within the last two years.
You do not have a total violation point count greater than one.
NOTE: You may renew by Internet if your renewal-by-mail notice includes a Renewal Identification Number (RIN).

Medical Information Card

Call 1-800-777-0133 and ask for a free card (DL 390) to list your blood type, allergies, name of your physician, and other medical information. It can be carried along with your DL/ID card.

Organ Donation

If you are at least 18 years old, you may donate your body, body parts, or a pacemaker for medical transplantation, research, or both after your death. Donors should share their decision with family members. For information about the donor program go online at: www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl.htm.

Navigate to the Donate Life California Organ and Tissue Donor Registry

You may also contact these organizations for organ/tissue donations or monetary donations:

California Transplant Donor Network, 1-888-540-9400
Golden State Donor Services, 916-567-1600
Lifesharing, 619-521-1983
OneLegacy, 1-800-786-4077

[Brash47]

Ok, here is the way to get your license....forget california! lol, i looked it up for you on the Texas DMV website, which I will post now:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/search/searchresults.asp?type=cache&q=cache:http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/faq/answers_dl_id.htm+motorcycle+license&output=xml_no_dtd&site=ER&ie=UTF-8&client=DPSInternet&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=DPSInternet

and the last sentence on the page is relevent to you:

6) I am currently out-of-state and want to add a motorcycle classification to my Texas license. How can this be done?

Applicants must:

Complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course (MSB). Be advised that the MSC must be approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. If a military member, an MSB course may be offered on base. If not, you can complete a course through a local college or university.

Submit a copy of the graded written exam or a letter from the instructor stating the exam taken and grade given, and the MSB-8 completion certificate. Texas Transportation Code 521.143.

Submit the required fee in the form of a check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank, payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas Transportation Code 521.421.

I know Travis Airforce Base has the classes now if that makes it easy, but it seems that you already have a course set up...so take it.

Just follow the instructions above and man, you are set!

brash

ENJOY california motorcycling and be safe!

[arnoha]

You know...this may be a good choice for a sticky in this forum... it'd need a title change, though.

[Wild1]

I just did this on Friday. I had an out of state lisence from KY (military dep). I took the written drivers and the motorcycle test at the same time. Make an appt or you will wait forever.

It wasn't hard. Just look over the practice tests on the DMV website to get an idea of what they are going to ask. The drivers test has 36 questions and the motocycle test has 25. You are allowed to miss 6 on the drivers and 4 on the moto test and still pass.

I'm going to take the motorcycle class here on Travis and skip the DMV class.

[Winterfall]

Cool thanks guys =) If I buy a motorcycle here in CA and have it registered here though can I still have a TX license? Sorry if I seem noobish but I've never had to deal with stuff like this before ^.^

[Wild1]

I think you can keep your Texas license if you complete their requirements for adding motorcycle operation to your existing license. You will have to call your home state to get the details. I thought it was just easier to run down to the DMV and do everything here. And even if you do get a CA license, you don't have to change your state residency. You can keep that Texas or whatever.

[Brash47]

I posted exactly how to do that.

brash

[Winterfall]

hmm... I'll probably have it added to my texas license then, but it seems that I'm going to have to fax (or snail mail) my certificates that I passed the msf and written test, but... how would they handle my temp permit while I waited on my new license? Would the dmv here in CA print one out for me? I don't want to ride without anything at all =. Any input?

[Brash47]

Unfortunately, you cannot have a license in both states. The minute you get a permit here, they will take your license, punch it, and mail some info to texas about you getting a license here.

brash

[Winterfall]

I don't want a license in both states, I was just wondering how I'd ride while waiting for my license from Texas to get here...? Would I just have to wait for it in the mail? (That would suck >.<)

[2nsane]

Just go to Texas or look on line and call some shops for the bike you want and get it in Texas and Reg and lisc it there that way you get a 49 state bike and not a Ca model. it is completely legal for you to get a bike and reg it in your home of record. and when you get transfered to another state say Verginia for what ever reason you wont have to reg it again just keep it Tx and do everything via mail. saves you on Yearly Reg fee's cal has and you wont have to pay the high sales tax and lisc fees.

selling a 49st bike is alot easier than selling a Ca model in any state other than Ca. and I am sure you will be getting transfered again in 3-4 years.

[Wild1]

Even if you buy a bike or car in CA, you can get a military exemption on the reg renewal since you will be active duty and not a CA resident. I think the exemption rate is like 29.00 or 39.00 for the year.

[2nsane]

Originally posted by Wild1
Even if you buy a bike or car in CA, you can get a military exemption on the reg renewal since you will be active duty and not a CA resident. I think the exemption rate is like 29.00 or 39.00 for the year.
NO SHIT:wow when I went looking for a bike the dealers didn't care if I was mil or not they were charging me full reg fee's, Damn, well that being said mabey it might be worth it to get a bike here,

[Wild1]

You'll pay the regular fee at the dealership but next year when you get the reg renewal you can take that to the DMV and they will lower the fee for you. They don't advertise it so most people just mail in the full amount.