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DMV renewal tests

NorCalBusa

NorCalBusa

Member #294
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Location
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Moto(s)
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Needed to switch up to ReaID, appointments were over two months out- so I booked an appointment and a backup appointment 2 weeks after. Yesterday comes around, so in I go.

My goal was RealID, Renew my Class C and Class M, and do a Notice of Sale. DMV online has a good page listing all the docs you need, first born child, blood-letting and all the rest- so that process was quick and easy. I did the Notice of transfer online already, so the clerk quickly found that and confirmed it was in the system

Last item was Renewing, it had been awhile (been renewing by simply paying the bill over the years- must have been >10 years since I did a DMV test, far enough back I don't even recall when, so this time I got to take the "written") DMV-speak for "online") test. Done in the lobby on one of their touchscreen terminals that also read you thumbprint. Once the login stuff is done- off to the races with 25 questions each, multiple choice.

Typical DMV stuff (I passed both) with the occasional poorly worded question that you simply "put on your DMV Hat" to answer. Some were out and out incorrect, but its not hard to divine and answer what they wanted, as always read the question carefully. What surprised me is there were many questions not on DMV's very own 6 online practice tests, so read the booklet and not simply do the online practicing.

In/out in less than 40 minutes, pretty happy about that. My DL didn't expire for another year, but by doing it now- I'm good for 4 years and don't have to fiddle.

Here's one I disagree with;
What's the most common cause of motorcycle accidents?
(Note: As "rear-ended by another car" is not one of the choices (and what I think is the correct answer), so you have to chose something else)

What caught your eye as a weird answer? What was weird on the real test and not on the study test?

Driver's
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clc2written?lang=en

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clc3written?lang=en

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clc4written?lang=en

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clc5written?lang=en

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clc6written?lang=en

Motorcycle
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clm1written

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clm2written
 
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I did my real id as my license was expiring and thankfully didn't have to do the written again, but I believe I had to answer them again on the last renewal... "remember to answer like the book" definitely applies sometimes!
 
What is your reasoning for thinking that getting rear ended is the most common cause for motorcycle accidents? Has it happened to you? More than once?

No doubt it sucks to have it happen and it can be deadly in some circumstances so actions should be taken to avoid its happening but I don't feel it's a major factor as far as number of occurrences goes.
 
I have to do this. We're moving, so we've been waiting for our new address and all. But my license expires next month, so we're going to just walk in, and endure the duration -- since the appointments are simply too far out to beat the expiration deadline.

I need to read up on the questions.
 
berth said:
I have to do this. We're moving, so we've been waiting for our new address and all. But my license expires next month, so we're going to just walk in, and endure the duration -- since the appointments are simply too far out to beat the expiration deadline.

I need to read up on the questions.
Click to expand...

Is one of these close enough to you to make it worth the trip?

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/fo/Driver_License_Processing_Centers?lang=en

I used the one in San Jose without an appointment and it was much faster than sitting at a general DMV office.
 
berth said:
I have to do this. We're moving, so we've been waiting for our new address and all. But my license expires next month, so we're going to just walk in, and endure the duration -- since the appointments are simply too far out to beat the expiration deadline.

I need to read up on the questions.
Click to expand...

And then some. The sample tests I posted above are NOT the same as the ones I had to take inside. Only a few were. So read the study guide deals to CYA.
 
Is there any way to know if your guna have to take a test? Do you have a clean record?

I would think moron pulling out not seeing you and driving into you would be #1.
 
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I am going though this now. This is the first time, that I can remember, that I have ever had to take the written test to renew my license. Decided to do the RealID while I was there.

Got a handbook and studied it. The day before my appointment it dawned on me that I might have to take the motorcycle test too. To late to study that one so when in and winged it, didn't pass.

Am now studying for the motorcycle test and hope to pass this time. If I don't I have one more chance.

The last time I took the motorcycle test was when I went in for my first M1 endorsement. Didn't have to take the riding test since the DMV guy didn't want to leave the office.

One of the questions that got me was "push the bar left, lean left, go left", I have never pushed on the bars knowingly to turn my bike ever on the road.

Any advice on studying besides reading the book? Any known websites that have the real test questions?

When I got to the DMV people were lined up outside. Didn't know that on Wednesdays the office doesn't open until 9:00. I was early for my appointment so was still on time to the first window. After that had to wait about 15 minutes to start the process. After the test I was told I don't need an appointment for the retest just come to the test window. All of the employees were friendly and answered questions readily. This was at the Vacaville office.

Getting old is the shits.
 
MaintMach said:
One of the questions that got me was "push the bar left, lean left, go left", I have never pushed on the bars knowingly to turn my bike ever on the road.
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Click to expand...

You should really take a safety course.

Countersteering is the only effective way to get the bike to move how you want it to move at higher speeds
 
That is motorcycle handling basics 101 push left look left roll on

I had to take a written test when I got my M1 they were like you get to take the C test and the M1. I wound up passing the normal one failing the written by 1.
 
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Just remember 'tis DMV, generally the most conservative/seemingly safe answer, not necessarily the correct one, is it.
 
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I had a California car and motorcycle license for 30 years and never had to take the written test after the first time. If they're making you do it regularly now, that's another thing I don't like about California. :x

:laughing

A year ago, after moving to Idaho, I just showed up at the Sheriff's office (only car registration is at the DMV) to take my tests and all the rest - no appointment. Had to wait almost 10 minutes before I got started. They do something that I like in their tests; if you don't like a question you can hit a button to move it to the back to deal with later. Once you've answered enough questions you're done. I missed one on the written driving test because I didn't want to put that one off. Didn't miss any on the motorcycle test.

I think the hardest part of the whole thing was coming up with documentation for the RealID stuff. They want things like utility bills for your current address - kind of tricky if you just moved there.

I've always recommended reading the handbook(s) before taking a DMV written test. That's a much better way to have experience with the wording that they'll use in the test.
 
I thought DUI was the top choice back when i took my license. I remember attributing it to probably more Harleys on the road over sprotbiles.
 
Top cause of deaths are single vehicle accidents which the top cause is failure to negotiate a curve.
If countersteering seems wrong you need more training
Next up is multi vehicle accidents which primarily occur at intersections
 
I didn't say countersteering was wrong, it's just not something that I am knowingly doing with I am riding. I think that is the reason that the question stumped me.

I am studying the handbook and high lighting areas that I think might be on the test. I will have my wife quiz me before going back in for the test.

Might take a refresher course after I get this test out of the way. Wasn't able to find any available in my area now and I don't travel to the bar area if there happens to be one available there.

Thanks for the advice.
 
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