HOW DID I PASS THE BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TEST AT DMV

I was in the shower and thinking that I should share my experience.
If you want to know the REQUIREMENTS for obtaining a Leaner's Permit, on my previous post.. just click here.


After I got my combo card (EAD/AP). I gave myself a week to review the dmv practice test online. I use the manual for my reference..I didn't read the whole thing. When I feel that I'm ready to take the test, we went to DMV San Marcos, Descanso Branch which is closing in a month. Yeyyy.. I passed it. (third week of March, 2016)I didn't practice right away. I have nobody to go with me or practice me. My husband is working overseas. Yes its hard. He told me to get a lesson and I did. I paid for 2 hour lesson for $109. I told him that I drove before at the US Base but here is totally different. We only have 2 lanes there. No stoplight, only 25pmh and I didn't drove for a year. He told me about the rules but really didn't registered in my small mind hehe., and then we drove... ohh boy! a lot of things to know. I'm stopping when I changed lane which is a big NO NO... and more errors. He did tell what what I need to work on. SMOG/SMOS ( Signal, Mirror, Over-the-shoulder, Go/Stop) everytime you change lane or turning.. Watch for pedestrian and traffic so on so fort. I realized this aint gonna work for me.. I need somebody to practice with me. One lesson will not going to help me. He also advised me that...Since my husband is not here..I tried to text my retired bro-in-law coz Mother-in-law dont like me drive. And I was happy when he said SURE. After couple practice him, I am confident to take my first behind-the-wheel (BTW).
April 28, 2016----I went inside the dmv and lined-up to the BTW appointment lane. lady told me to go on the testing with my bro-in-law inside the truck. (yes, I am driving a pick-up truck haha Imagine that, with the big tool box at the back)We were there. The examiner asked my bro to off the car.
Examiner told me to show everything what she will ask.

PRE-DRIVE CHECKLIST (this is whats on the score sheet)

Driver Window - didn't ask for this
Windshield -  didn't ask for thi
Rearview Mirrors -  didn't ask for thi
Turn Signals F/B - she had me turn it to left then right while checking on the lights outside the truck
Brake Lights - asked me to step on the break
Tires -  didn't ask for thi
Foot Brake - I just showed her where
Horn - asked to honk it
Emergency/Parking Brake - i pointed it to her
Arm Signals --yes! you should know this.. Hand-up means RIGHT, straight your arms means LEFT
                      and arms down is STOP
Windshield Wipers - point it to her
Defroster - I don't know this but good thing I asked my bro in law..yes i point this too
Emergency Flasher..showed where it is
Headlights - showed this too
Passenger door -  didn't ask for this
Glove box -  didn't ask for thi
Seat belts - very important that when your examiner go inside make sure you have yours buckled and check on your examiner too.

When she get in, She told me that I will be score base on my performance. She will asked me to change lane so on..dont mind her scoring me. Drive safe hehe

I FAILED on the first try. I was nervous, nerve wrecking. Really different when a DMV person is in the passenger seat. I have a critical error ' DANGEROUS MANEUVER'. I know I failed. I don't look much on my mirrors, I just eyeballing it and DMV don't like it.. YOU should show them that you really looking but moving your head checking your blindspot..Show your eyebrow looking on the rearview mirror.. Keep your eyes moving....Make it EXAGGERATED.
I don't Smog/Smos, specially when merging to a bike lane. She explained everything.. what I need to work on. It was totally a disappointment. but hey, I still have 2 chances hehe.

So, I need more practice. I had chance to practice once a week. Imagine that. Sometimes its every 2 weeks. Atleast 2 hrs in those practice. So if I have that  chance, I make sure I remember everything. and correcting those errors. I made my habit making it exaggerated. my husband told me to get lesson and he doesn't care if it cost $100/aday... Omg! big money. I don't want to spend much on this coz I know I can make it and trying to tell him that I just need to practice more as I need what to work on. He still insist it. I went online and read reviews on the good driving school..those have good reviews hehe.. I found one..very good reviews lol.. This is a different driving school from my first one and this is just evaluation for an hour cost $99. The lady came 15minutes late. Okay, its alright. She apologized. Oh men! she's a talker. really don't stop talking.  She gave me lesson which I already know. I was like (in my mind)..Cmon! lets go driving geezzzzz... She's terrible. I really didn't felt I am driving. She has the gas and brake on her side. I just have the steering wheel. I can feel I wasn't driving. What drives me crazy when she steps on the brake really hard and hurt my chest. I was like throwing on the windshield. My confidence was thrown too when she told me I need more lesson. Whatttttttt??????? You kidding?. Ofcourse I didn't say that.. I'm nice lol.. I just say Okay, I guess You are right. I will call your office to get 2 more lesson then.. but of course I didn't lol.  I am helpless, down, no confident...I need to gain it again. texted my Bro in law for a practice. yes, once a week again. Till I scheduled my second BTW test

June 8, 2016 - I did my best here. My examiner almost felt sleep on my driving.. I made it really exaggerated. Freaking Roundabout failed me. Okay, we didn't practice this. I don't know the rules. We were trying to find wheres the roundabout at San Marcos but we didn't find it. I wish I googled earth it. I was really disappointed and devastated... hopeless....down...world was falling apart.... I had the worst examiner lol.. . I was really mad.

Okay here's what happen. We approached the roundabout near the school but that time theres no kids walking. 25mph on the school zone but in the roundabout is 15mph.  i slow down. Then car came on the other side. We're on the same position. I didn't stop or yield. she yelled...STOP STOP! he has the right-of-way. She is freaking mad. haha. I stopped. takenote, Im inside the roundabout, yet she yelled stop. I don't know the rules that time. Then, she said GO STRAIGHT, GO STRAIGHT. which is actually RIGHT TURN freaking b*tch... I googled it..THERE'S NO STOPPING ON THE ROUNDABOUT unless to avoid collision'. I didn't contest. I failed on my second time. critical error again 'INTERVENTION BY EXAMINER'.

Okay time is ticking... we will be leaving to join my husband in US Base. I need to pass the test. I scheduled it right away for my last chance which is JUNE 17, 1:30 hehe. Then my husband pushing me to get a lesson again haha spend his money lol. yes I did schedule a lesson again with the first school that I had. He said he was surprised he saw my name on the list. Asked me what happen. I was shocked that he told me that DMV San Marcos is difficult and they are mean  hehe try different DMV which is Poway or Oceanside. It shocked me more when he told me we will go on the FREEWAY. I was like.. I haven't drive on the freeway yet. I told him. he asked me about my lane changing. I said I think I am okay with lane change. and i know the basic when merging and exiting. He said he will show me the route there. Omg! I like the freeway than the intersection hahahaha. He told me I did great on my driving and I gain my confidence again... Yes, Poway has an easy route and no roundabout haha. Then afterwards, he told me to show him the San Marcos route that I had. Drove on the freeway again and showed him. But its too late for me to change the appointment and maybe I would not get the date that I want since we will be leaving on the 23rd. I did take the risk at San Marcos again. What will be will be. If I failed here, then next time I will try different DMV.

On my third and last chance...I had a guy examiner. I saw the b*tch there and I was praying hard not her this time..please Lord not her. A guy approached me and he's like from India hehe or more from Syria haha

Here's what happen: Did the same thing on the pre checklist, He didn't asked anything about my past failure lol. He said he will ask me to change lane..blah blah.. then drive safely. I don't understand what he was saying so I confirm it to him but very polite. I kinda repeat what he said. He was kinda pissed. He had me  do curb parking and 50 yards backing. I was told focused on the side mirror. Duh! because Im afraid I hit the curb and its a critical error. I do check other mirrors once in awhile. I think He wants me do rotate by head to my back like exorcism. After that, the freaking roundabout haha.. I made sure I yield on the cars that comes first. Pretty good in that this time haha.. Then, asked to go right. Okay. Rules of turning right, you are permitted to turn (unless posted) after a complete stop and check for all traffic coming.  If its safe, you can proceed. I think it was 7 cars and light is still red. didn't noticed that there's one more coming and fast. Okay! I failed this. Thats what I think right away. I messed up hehe. He asked me to change lane on the way to dmv.. left right.. Asked to park on the testing parking. I know I failed again. Then he told me everything to work on. About that right turn...I was down again..but was very happy when he told me I PASSED..

I would say..keep practicing. Remember all the rules. Make a habit on how to drive defensively. I would suggest get a lesson before taking the BTW so You will know what you need to work on.

REQUIREMENTS ON GETTING LEARNER'S PERMIT at DMV

Not so lucky on my first try. They said I should get my I-94 extended first or something that states I could stay longer. They need atleast 30-60 days before it expires. Also, I was told to wait for I-797 for my AOS or EAD....to which I Just sent out Yesterday (12/10/2015).  SO let's see....I might get that in Month or so...

Update:  3/24/16
After I got my combo card last March 21, next thing in my mind is getting a learner's permit. I gave myself to review for 2 days. I didn't read the new book. I just went to their practice test online here http://www.dmv-written-test.com which helps a lot to me... What I did is I answered every test over and over until i got it perfect score. I strongly recommend to take the paper test instead of the computer, so you would time to skip more questions and also can review your answers.

Requirements:

In California, here's the list 

How to apply for a driver license if you are over 18

If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid.

If you become a California resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents.

To apply for an original driver license if you are over 18, you will need to do the following:

• Make an appointment before visiting a DMV office (walk-ins are only accepted at our Driver License Processing Centers). I DONT HAVE APPOINTMENT AS WHEN I TRIED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO THE BRANCH I WANT TO GO, ITS JUST SAY "NOT AVAILABLE" SO I DID WALK-IN AND IT WAS FAST
• Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.) YOU WILL GET THIS FROM THERE, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP
• Give a thumb print YOU WILL DO 5 THUMBPRINT ON THE FIRST WINDOW....THEN JUST ONE AT THE PICTURE WINDOW
• Have your picture taken YUP
• Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office. THEY DO VERIFY IT..SO YOU BETTER HAVE SSN FIRST
• Verify your birth date and legal presence If your current name no longer matches the name on your birth data/legal presence document, see "True Full Name" and "How to Change Your Name" for more information.HE DIDNT ASK ME ON THIS AS HE HAS MY COMBO CARD..THATS ALL I PRESENT TO HIM/DMV PERSONNEL
• Provide your true full name FROM THE COMBO CARD
• Pay the application fee $33
• Pass a vision exam YUP
• Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 36 questions on the test. You have three chances to pass.. YES THIS IS IMPORTANT...YOU HAVE 3 CHANCES TO PASS THE EXAM

GOODLUCK!