The Newport News
The Only Weekly Newspaper Exclusively for the Newport Area
February 1, 2013
“Ask George” Expert Answers to Common DMV Questions
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: My mother is in her 70s and insists on driving herself everywhere she goes! Twice, when I’ve been in the car with her, I’ve had to remind her to put her seat belt on. Does the DMV have some sort of test she can take to see if she is still okay to drive? A: Most definitely. Visit the DMV
Web site at www.DMV.ca.gov and click on the “Seniors” tab located near the top of the homepage. There you will find a Senior Driver Self-Assessment test (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ about/senior/senior_self_ess.html) that you can take with your mother. Q: I am planning on riding my bike to work. I did a test run of my route and found that some parts of the street didn’t have a shoulder or bicycle lane and the traffic lane was very narrow. Can I take the traffic lane and still be safe? A: When you are faced with these conditions on the road, you can use the traffic lane, but make sure you ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent motorists from dangerously attempting to squeeze past you when there is not enough room. You should also take the traffic lane when you are traveling at the same speed as the traffic around you. This will keep you out of the motorist’s blind spots and reduce conflicts with rightturning traffic. For more safety tips for bicyclists and motorists go to http:// www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/ fast_facts/ffdl37.htm. Q: I am interested in preparing to qualify for a Commercial Drivers
License. Is there a driver handbook I can review? A: Yes. You can log on to the DMV Web site to get an online version at www.dmv.ca.gov , or just click on http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/comlhdbk/comlhdbk.pdf. You will learn about driving safety for commercial drivers, transporting cargo safely, air brakes, transporting passenger and much, much more. Q: I know you have the California Driver Handbook available in English and Spanish. Are there any other languages available? I need an Armenian version. A: Absolutely! You can go onto the DMV’s Web site http://www.dmv. ca.gov/pubs/pubs.htm to find PDF versions of each handbook. Other languages available are Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese. You may also obtain the handbooks at any of the department’s field offices or by calling the department’s Telephone Service Center at (800) 777-0133. Q: Are there any tips on what kinds of clothing to wear when riding a motorcycle so that I can make sure people will see me? A: Most crashes occur in broad
daylight. However, it is advisable to wear brightly-colored clothing such as a bright orange, yellow or green jacket or vest to increase your chances of being seen at night. Brightly colored helmets can also help others see you. Reflective materials on a vest and on the sides of your helmet can be an option as well. For more information, check out the California Motorcycle Handbook on the DMV Web site http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ pubs/pubs.htm. Q: I’m disabled and have a service animal with me at all times. Is my dog allowed to come with me into the DMV office? A: Yes, absolutely they are allowed. Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Animals which meet this definition are considered service animals whether or not they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
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