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Protect Your Car from Theft

These days, most car thieves aren’t just dumb thrill seekers looking to have a joy ride in someone else’s car. Car thieves are much more sophisticated than you might think. They are in it for the money. If your car is popular with buyers, it may be popular with car thieves as well.

Here are some tips for Orange County drivers to make your car as theft-proof as possible.

Remember: Time is on your side. The longer it takes a thief to break in and steal your car, the less likely they will be to accomplish their mission.

1. Lock your car.

May sound simple, but half of all stolen cars are unlocked.

2. Take your keys with you.

Even if you’re parking in your very own home garage, don’t leave keys in the car.

3. Don’t hide spare keys in your car.

You’re not being clever – car thieves know ALL the hiding spots. If you’re prone to locking your keys in your car, come up with a better backup plan than a magnetic box on the underside of your bumper.

4. Don’t leave your car running unattended.

Auto theft is a crime of convenience. Leaving your car running at an ATM, gas station, or convenience store is not worth the risk. It won’t save you much time anyway. As nice as it is to hop into a toasty warm car on a cold morning, it’s also not wise to start your car a few minutes before leaving for work.

5. Close windows completely. 

Again, we’re trying to make your car less accessible.

6. Park in visibile, high-traffic areas.

Where possible, park in attended lots and garages. Parking areas with security personnel and attendants are less likely to be stolen. It’s worth the few extra bucks.

Park in well-lit areas and nearest the entrance to where you’re going. Witnesses are your friends!

7. Don’t leave money or valuables in plain view. 

Either take them with you, or store them in the trunk. If your sound system has a removable face plate, take it off and either take it with you, or store it in the trunk.

8. Park smart.

Many car thieves actually use tow trucks to steal cars. To make your car tougher to tow, follow these simple guidelines:

  • Park with wheels turned toward the curb (or sideways, if parking in a lot or driveway).
  • Always set your emergency brake.
  • If your car is rear-wheel drive, back into your spot or driveway and set the emergency brake.
  • If your car is front-wheel drive, park front-end first and set your emergency brake.

9. Have a garage? Use it!

Orange County doesn’t get much weather, so many drivers may feel it’s not necessary to park in the garage. But the less visible and accessible your car is, the less opportunity a thief has to steal it. Lock your garage’s side door, and don’t leave your car keys in the car.

10. Don’t leave title or registration in your car.

Title, registration, insurance information – basically anything with personal information or a home address. Store your car’s title at home in a file, and keep your registration and insurance info in your wallet (obviously you need those things with you if you get into an accident or get stopped by police).

11. Car alarm tips

Car alarms have become the proverbial “boy who cried wolf.” People don’t pay much attention to the sound of a car alarm sounding these days, except to remark at how annoying it sounds. Here are some tips for making your car alarm effective:

  • Purchase a car alarm with a pager installed that notifies you when the alarm is activated.
  • Have your car alarm installed by a professional car alarm installer, as opposed to a retail chain. These guys know more about what it takes to make your car elusive to crooks.
  • Don’t display decals that show what alarm system you have. Car thieves have different techniques for disabling alarm systems depending on the brand or style. (That goes for sound systems too.)
  • Consider purchasing a hood lock cable to protect your battery and/or car alarm mechanism from being tampered with.

Protect yourself and your car by using these simple techniques! Safety 1st is committed to making Orange County a better place – one safe driver at a time!

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Step 1. Complete our online driver’s education course

Register for our online driver education course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we will then send you the DMV Certificate of Completion (DL387) that you can take to the DMV when you are ready to take the written test for your learner’s permit.

Our online driver ed course is available to all California residents. You can take our course at your own pace, in your own home in your own time.

Step 2. Study for the DMV written test

You will need to study for the DMV written permit test by reading through the DMV California Driver Handbook. It will benefit you if you take your time and study the handbook so you are comfortable with the information that will be on the test.

Take your time, you don’t want to have to go back to retake the test.

Step 3. Make an appointment at the DMV to take the written exam

It is important that you call ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the local DMV so you can go in and take the written test.

The lines at the DMV are usually very long so you don’t want to waste your time waiting in line. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment.

Most DMV’s are open Mondays through Fridays until 5 pm; Some are also open on Saturdays for a few hours so call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you.

Step 4. Bring necessary documents to the DMV office

  • Complete the application form DL 44, remember the DMV always requires An original to be submitted. Copies will not be accepted in any form, so make sure you have exactly what you need. You can get this form from your local DMV.
  • Have your parents or guardians sign the application form DL 44.
  • Give your right thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Provide your social security #
  • Verify your birth date and legal residence
  • Submit the proper form(s) for Driver Education and/or Driver Training (see below for details)
  • Pay the $28.00 application fee (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
  • Pass a vision exam, if you need glasses, wear them.
  • Pass a written test, there are 46 questions on the test.
  • You need a passing score of at least 39 correct answers.
  • You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.

 

Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements:

If you are 15  years of age, you will need to bring with you:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education) with form DL 391 (Driver Training Enrollment ) if your school has a contract with a driving school.

OR

  • Form DL 356 or forms OL 237 and OL 238 (Completion of both Driver Education and Driver Training)

OR

  • Submit form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 15 but under 18 years of age, you will need to submit:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education)

OR

  • Form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 17  but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit. You can be issued a permit at age 15, but you cannot take the driving test or be issued a driver’s license until you are 16 years of age.

A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver’s license, must be with you when you drive. They must sit in a position that allows them to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.

Before being eligible to take the driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed driver education
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver’s license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

 

If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of-state school or a letter on the out-of-state school’s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California’s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable

Step 5. Complete behind the wheel training

When you pass the written exam:

  • You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
  •  You may start behind the wheel training with your parent/guardian or other licensed drivers who are 25 years of age or older.
  •  You must further complete four (4) more hours of driving school instruction.
  • Complete fifty (50) additional hours of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years old or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify that you’ve had the 50 hours of practice. It is required that 10 of the 50 hours of training is done in the evening.

Step 6. Take the driving test at the DMV

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed a driver education course
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
  • You will also need to show registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
  •  If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
    • Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee is $6.00.
    • Motorcycle driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee $6.00.

 

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect.

If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

Step 7. Receive provisional license upon passing the driving test

After you pass the Driving Test, you will be issued a provisional license. Your license will have the following restrictions for the next year: During the first 12 months, you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.