DMV taking virus precautions for behind-the-wheel road test

Q

Our teen daughter is finally going to take her behind-the-wheel driving test.

But I remain concerned about her being in a car with an instructor who may have been exposed to the virus. What precautions will the DMV take?

— Linda Collins, Fremont

A

All behind-the-wheel drive test applicants will be required to wear a face covering, answer screening questions before the drive and soon all applicants statewide will have their temperatures checked.

DMV examiners will wear protective equipment — face coverings and gloves — and place plastic covers on the passenger seat and floorboard.

At least two windows need to be lowered for increased ventilation. Examiners will conduct more of the test outside of the vehicle, such as pretest instructions.

The DMV is shortening the testing route in many locations and expanding hours when tests are conducted, including Saturday service for tests in some locations.

Q

I am ready to get an instructional permit to learn to drive. Can I just go to DMV to take the test or do I have to make an appointment to schedule the test?

— Jenny Mak

A

You can do this in person at a DMV office without an appointment by using the DMV Express service online.

Q

I was reading about the girl whose license appointment was rescheduled to a date that was not possible for the parents. After reading this, I decided to see if you could possibly help me. I turned 16 in April and had an appointment for April 15 that was canceled.

It is very important to both of my full-time working parents that I could drive myself to swim practice and school. I have practice every day at 5:30 a.m. My mom is a pediatrician and is seeing newborns every day at Good Samaritan Hospital. She has been working very hard lately and it would make her so happy to get a break from the early mornings.

The DMV rescheduled my appointment to July 29 at Los Banos. However, friends who had original appointments in the spring scheduled over a month after mine are getting appointments only a week after my new appointment.

I do not see why my appointment was shifted back that much in comparison to others whose appointments were originally scheduled around the same time as mine. I am unable to carpool due to COVID-19 and my mother has been getting up each morning to drive me before her long, grueling day at the hospital.

— Robert Griswold, Cupertino

A

I sympathize with her. When Ann-ethe-Roadshow daughter swam at the Santa Clara Swim Club, I made countless drives for those 5:30 a.m. practices. Alas, there are so many backed up tests that finding an earlier date is unlikely.

Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat at noon Wednesdays at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Find Gary at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.