#40 Driver's license in the US: my experiences

Hey,

When I knew I would make an exchange year in the US, I started thinking about my driver's license and I definitely wanted to try to get it here. But it is not that easy and I wanted to tell you guys about my experiences. 

In South Carolina, you can drive as soon as you are 15 years old and have your Permit. To get your Permit, you study at home with Online tests, go to the DMV and answer 30 questions. At first I was really shocked because you don’t even need driving lessons (in Germany you have to be 17 to get your permit, with 18 you can drive alone after taking two very difficult tests, a ton of driving lessons and paying about 3,000$) and most people go to the DMV on their 15th birthday, get their permit and can drive. But your Permit is not your actual license because you can only drive with your parents. After 180 days you can go back to the DMV, take your driving test and then you can drive alone. So a lot of people here have their license with 15 ½ which is pretty crazy. 

Since I am here for a year I thought it would be as easy for me, I take my Permit test, wait for 180 days and get my license and it is so much cheaper!!

I took the test at my school and passed but because I am here on a Visa I had to show a lot of documents at the DMV. Not only my Visa, Passport, a letter from my school, I also had to drive to the Social Security Office so they give me a letter that says they can’t give me a Social Security Card etc. Altogether, it was very time consuming and I spent many hours in the DMV because you have to wait every time you come in. I even sacrificed days that I had no school just to go there. 

When I had all the documents, I was positive they would give it to me but the lady said someone has to sign for me and basically my parents have to give custody to my host parents so they can sign for me. Of course, we can’t do that and I noticed that everyone was overwhelmed with the situation and didn’t know what to do. I also asked if I can just send the paper to my parents to Germany so they can sign it and send it back but for some legal reasons, it is not possible. I know other exchange students who got their Permit here, but my DMV is super strict.

My parents also talked to driving schools in Germany and they said I have to repeat the test there. So it's not really worth it and I talked to a girl that stayed here last year, she got here license but said I shouldn’t do it because in the end you have to pay twice and it doesn’t benefit you. 

I was really hoping it would work out but my organization also says I can only drive with an instructor and not with my host family. But all of my friends are 15 or older and have their own cars so its fine.

I will get my license as soon as I’m in Germany!!

Sophie :)