drivers license

Mike: Get a valid Michigan license! Trust me on this one. You do NOT want to take the road test here if you can help it. With your valid license, you go to DMV and get a book to study, sign up a time to take the written test...I think this one is in the archives here, check back...

What does the road test consist of. I am not in a position to get a license here so it looks like I will have to go through the driving test. Any additional information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. I just want to know what the process is like and wheter or not I am able to get a license in the Virgin Islands. Are there any major differences in driving laws rather than you drive on the opposite side of the road. Any Information would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

Hello Mike (and anyone else who has license question)

If you have a current license you; take the written test, fill out the medical form and trade in your license.

If you have no license to turn in; then you have to get the medical form filled out (medical form consist of mostly a visual acuitity test, blood type and questions concerning diseases you might have, and a section on if you ever had a license and if it was revoked and why, personal info and thats it... doctor has to sign it, get a drivers permit, take the written test and the road test. I suppose if you had an expired drivers license then the permit would not be necessary but the road test and written would still be.

The road test consist of reversing into a spot that has cones... you can't touch the cones and have to do the reversing in x or less amount of moves... I don't remember what x was.. maybe 3 reverse in, drive forward to straighten up and then reverse back in... then you go on the road... the officier observes whether you adjusted your mirrors, seat, seatbelt before starting out, then on the road they have you drive, park, drive in reverse (thats to see if you reverse in the same lane you are in or if you do it the right way and go in the other lane... meaning you are in reverse but in the right direction of the traffic.)... make you drive through school zone - see if you observe speed limit, try to get you to turn into one way roads to see if you do or not... stuff like that. Almost everyone I know failed it at least once before passing, some 2 or 3 times... some didn't even get passed the cones thats the first step - and if you touch one of the cones reversing in or coming back out you fail. Anyhow I didn't think it was that bad, just observe EVERY road rule (stop signs, traffic, indicators, hand signals, speed limit, intersection right of ways, mirrors... everything)

--Islander

Here is the details of my situation. I recieved my second drunk driving two and a half years ago in Michigan and have not yet got my license back. My license was revoked for a year. I have not had any need for a license for the past two years. I am now moving to the St. Thomas in November and I was wondering if it is going to be possible to get a license there. Michigan in particular makes it nearly impossible to get your license back and with the move ahead of me, I am hoping that I can start over fresh and recieve a license there. I really appreciate the information that you have given and I hope that someone might have some additional insight to my particular situation. Thanks again.

Mike

Mike,

Apply for a license the long way... get the permit, take the road test and the written test..... not likely that your drivers record will follow you to the USVI in terms of getting a license, they usually check just locally to see if you have tickets... when you register a car, perhaps auto insurance might be affected if they do a check for tickets... but not certain about that. Do start fresh here though in terms of not getting busted for bad driving - all the best with your moving plans!!

--Islander

No, do start fresh there and quit driving while intoxicated. It isn't enough to just not get busted.

I'm a state trooper in PA and don't understand why you cannot get your Michigan license if you are telling us all the whole story.

If you were revoked for a year, then you were revoked for a year. It is two and a half years later.

You should be able to pay your restoration fee and get your license back, according to what you stated above.

It has been my experience that most people who get more than one DUI tend to keep getting them. People usually change after the first one if they are going to. I hope that you're an exception to the norm and you really have become a 'safe' driver (although it seemed like there were many sober 'unsafe' drivers while I was on STT!)

Chris

Chris,

Unfortunately it is not as easy as going and paying your resoration fee in Michigan. In Michigan you have to go through an appeal process just to get your license back to a restricted status at which point they install a interlock breathalizer system on your steering column for another year after that. Long story short I have changed my ways but have not went through the extremely tough process of reapplying. I appreciate all of your input and hope what islander says is true in regards to being able to apply the long way without much problems besides the driving test. If anyone else has any furhter information it would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

Well, I hear Islander, but I still think you ought to consider seeing if you can get a stateside license in another state...

You may also have a problem with insurance. I'd do some checking.

Hi Islander,
I have a good drivers license but the info I am concerned about is the cost of insurance. Do you have any knowledge about costs or whom I can contact for rates,etc? Your input is very valuable. Thanks!

Hello,

I would suggest you call Guardian Insurance and get rates... Try (340)776-8050

--Islander

I spoke with someone on Friday from Guardian.
I have a 2003 Ford Ranger. The quote for full coverage with 2 drivers over the age of 26 and a $500 deductible was $1015 for one year. 35% is due at the time if all cannot be paid at once.

~S