I'll say right away, dear reader, that I will post a separate video about this process and explain everything in even more detail. But here I will leave the most important parts.
I remember how, back in Russia, I dreamed of getting an American driver's license. In America, this thought never left me, so I gathered a package of documents: SSN, I-94, DS-2019, ID, my Russian license, and went to the DMV.
The first time I didn't make it because I arrived late, the second time I didn't bring all the documents, the third time I encountered an incompetent employee who said I didn't have the right to take the exam, and the fourth time, in another city, everything went well. I arrive at the DMV, wait about 2.5 hours, and get called to the window. I hand over all the documents; the employee, clearly having never dealt with international applicants, reads the instructions for a long time and finally says, "let’s take a picture." I smile. After that, I read letters to prove I have good vision. In reality, I was just wearing contacts, but that doesn't violate the rules. They give me a paper and say, "take any computer and take the theory test." I pay $15.
I approach the computer by the window, scan my finger, and start the test. In English. Everything goes wrong immediately. The app on my phone, where I prepared for the exam, was nothing like what I saw on the monitor screen. 5 mistakes - failed.
Soaked and angry, I run outside, look at the lake, and calm down. I go back.
Second (out of three) attempt, this time I choose Russian. Everything becomes much easier immediately. I pass the main test. And also the additional one (if the language is not Spanish or English, you have to take two tests). Passed! They give me a paper with which I can sign up for the practical test.
The appointment is in two weeks. During this time, I am already traveling, so I have to take the test in Los Angeles, one of the most difficult cities for traffic.
LA, everything is not going well as usual. It turns out you can't take the test in a rental car because the company has to give you an official letter of permission, which is, of course, almost impossible. A driving school costs $150, which is also very expensive. I am saved by the "Turo" app, with which I find a "private owner" who agrees to rent me a car, as well as insurance (since it's a private individual, you can take the test, but you need original insurance, which almost no one wants to provide).
The day before, by the way, I prepared hard, watched videos, thanks to which I understood how different the rules for passing the test are in Russia and the USA.
Well, 11 a.m., I gathered my courage, standing in a line of cars, like at McDonald's for coffee. My turn. The instructor approaches and checks the documents, asks me to show the main parts of the car, and sits next to me. He turns on the air conditioning and reclines the seat. Let's go.
We drove for about twenty minutes; even though I have a lot of driving experience for my age, I was a nervous wreck. We return to the DMV. I park. The instructor pats me on the shoulder and says: "One more mistake and you wouldn't have passed, but I congratulate you. You are the first person in my history to pass on the first try."
I tumble out of the car and go inside. Joyful.
I get a temporary license, and I will go for the permanent one this summer, as I left the country while the license was being processed.
