LearnEnglishNow.com
Getting Your License Adv
Getting Your License Adv text -
mp3
Getting Your License Adv
Listening:
What are the steps involved in getting a US driver's license?
First of all, you should know that driving laws vary state to state.
The way it works in one state isn't necessarily true for another.
In most states, your home country license is valid until it expires.
In most states, you can drive legally with a current foreign license.
Always check out a state's driving laws before driving there.
You'll have to demonstrate good defensive driving techniques to get a license.
It's important to never follow too close.
You should always leave two car lengths between you and the car in front of you.
Always check your blind spot before changing lanes.
Never change lanes without looking around first.
Keep both hands on the wheel at ten and two.
Try to avoid distractions such as eating and putting on makeup.
Talking on your cell phone is a big distraction!
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous too.
Safe drivers avoid all distractions.
Watch out for drunk drivers, especially at night!
swerving
If you see someone swerving across the road, they're probably impaired.
It's best to stay behind drunk drivers, and out of their way.
If you see someone driving erratically, always call 911 right away.
Background Information:
911 is the United States' all-purpose emergency number. You can always call it no matter where you are and what your emergency is. A visibly intoxicated person on the road is considered an emergency, because it can be potentially deadly.Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a huge problem in the United States. Most residential areas in the US are very spread out, and public transportation systems are poorly-developed compared to those of more densely-populated countries. Therefore, when people go out to drink, they usually drive in cars. The worst time of the week for drunk driving is weekends (Friday and Saturday) after about 1 am. Most bars and clubs in the US close at 2 am, and that's when everyone gets behind the wheel to drive home. The drunk driving problem is exacerbated by the low driving age (16 years in most states), since many adolescents drink, and tend to know their limits less than adults. Drunk driving accidents are most prevalent in Texas, where drinking is extremely popular, and the massive size and rural condition of the state mean that in most cases the only way to get around is by car. California and Florida have the next highest prevalence of drunk driving accidents, probably due to their high populations.
Open Bottle Laws
In an effort to curb drunk driving, a slew of laws have been introduced in all 50 states. The most notable of these are the "open container" laws, which forbid the transportation of open containers of alcoholic beverages in your vehicle. It's legal to carry alcohol that has never been opened, such as a corked bottle of wine, but as soon as the bottle has been opened, it's no longer legal to carry it in your car, regardless of whether or not you've been drinking. It's also illegal for any passengers in your car to drink while you're driving. In most states however, it's acceptable to drive with open containers in the trunk of your car, since drivers can't access the trunk while they drive. multinote: field tests If a police officer notices any of the telltale signs of drunk driving, he will pull the driver over and begin to administer what are known as "field sobriety tests." These tests let the officer know instantly and conveniently whether or not the driver is sober. They aren't 100% accurate, but they allow the officer to rule out the possibility of drunk driving, if the driver clearly passes. These tests include: having the driver walk in a straight line, asking the driver to spread his arms out and touch his fingers to his nose in succession, asking the driver to follow a flashlight with his eyes as it swings back and forth, and other manners of gauging someone's motor skills and coordination. If the officer suspects that the driver is intoxicated, he'll make the driver blow into a "breathalyzer," which is a device that analyzes your breath, and then digitally displays your precise blood alcohol content. In most states, a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08% or above is enough to warrant a drunk driving charge.
MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, is an anti-drunk driving organization that was founded in 1980 in response to rising levels of drinking-related fatalities. A mother named Candy Lightner founded the organization after her young daughter was hit by a repeat drunk driver and paralyzed from the neck down. Today MADD has grown to become one of the nation's largest and most respected non-profit organizations, and remains very active in the public and political arenas. They publish magazines and annual reports detailing the current state of drunk driving offenses throughout the country. Members of their individual branches work closely with local law enforcement at the community level to help prevent and spread the word about drunk driving, especially among adolescents.
Drivers' Ed
Every American who wants to get a driver's license must first complete driver's education (commonly shortened to "driver's ed"). This is a series of classes, usually conducted on the weekend and lasting about four weeks, in which teens are taught all of the US traffic laws, along with the basics of vehicle operation, including some information on common car parts and their maintenance. Most American teens begin driver's education at the age of 15.
Learners' Permits
After completing driver's ed, the teen is issued a learner's permit. This permit allows the teen to drive, but ONLY with a licensed driver on board. In many states, the licensed driver must be over 21. Some states have laws that forbid a permit driver from transporting friends, even with a licensed driver on board. In most states, teens must practice driving accompanied by a licensed driver for a certain number of hours before they can take the driving test and get their license.
Written Test
Once a person has completed driver's education and done the required number of hours of driving practice, they have the option to take the written and driving tests (assuming they're at least 16, or the required age in their state). The written test usually comes first. The focus of the written test is the driving laws of your state. It contains a series of very specific and often tricky questions relating to traffic safety. Favorite "trick" questions relate to the use of child seats, driving in adverse weather conditions, and city versus highway driving protocol.
Driving Test
Unlike the written test, which focuses on knowledge of laws, the focus of the driving test is vehicle operation. Before you start driving, the tester will make sure you know how to do things like raise your car's hood, turn on the windshield wipers, and apply the emergency brake. Once you start driving, the tester will watch for indications of unsafe driving, such as whether or not you check your blind spot before changing lanes, and how long you remain stopped at a stop sign. Each motion has a certain point value assigned to it, and the tester will deduct points if you complete a motion unsafely. If your overall score falls below a certain number, you fail. On average, 50% of first-time test-takers fail the driving test.
