(949) 250-7001

Making Orange County and Los Angeles County a better place - one safe driver at a time!

What to Do if Someone Tries to Carjack You

What to Do if Someone Tries to Carjack YouCarjacking has become one of the world’s most prevalent crimes. Just last Monday, two cars were stolen in a string of carjackings and attempted carjackings that have occurred in Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Tustin.

The aggressor was a 20-something Latina woman, approximately 5’2″, 130 lbs, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans. 

Read about the recent Orange County carjackings here.

Carjacking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. A carjacking can happen anywhere, at anytime. According to the U.S. Department of State, most carjackings occur for the sole purpose of stealing the car (not to target the individual driving, though they can become dangerous). It doesn’t really matter who you are, how old you are, what you look like; if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could be a target for carjacking.

Preparation and awareness of one’s surroundings are crucial to preventing a carjacking. Here are some tips on how to prevent a carjacking, and what to do if someone tries to carjack your vehicle.

For Starters…

Avoid these areas, as they are the most likely places for a carjacking:

  • High crime areas
  • Lesser traveled roads (rural areas)
  • Intersections where you must stop
  • Isolated areas in parking lots
  • Residential driveways and gates
  • Traffic jams or congested areas

(source: U.S. Dept. of State)

Well, that pretty much covers everywhere, doesn’t it? Since you can’t avoid all those places – especially traffic jams or congestion in Orange County – the #1 precaution you can take is to know how carjackers operate (knowledge is power!) and to be aware of your surroundings.

What Carjackers Do

Carjackers don’t always just approach your window and say “Get out of the car!” Though that does happen, they actually have a few different sneaky methods you need to be aware of.

1. Accidents and Car Trouble

The Bump: Sometimes a carjacker will bump you from behind in a simulated “fender bender”. Once you get out of the car to assess the damage and exchange insurance information, the carjacker will steal your car.

If you are bumped from behind, drive to a safe, public place before getting out. Hang on to your keys, stay near your car, keep your phone with you, and be alert for any signs that the person is up to no good. Note: Your gut instincts are often right.

The Good Samaritan/The Ruse: Alternatively, a carjacker may stage their own accident or car trouble. They may appear stranded on the side of the road next to their car and flag you down for help. It is sad to say, but in this day and age it may be wiser to call for assistance rather than to get out of your car and help a stranded driver.

2. Following You Home

The Trap: The carjacker will follow you home, and when you pull into your driveway (or are waiting for your gate to open) they will approach you and attempt to steal your car. Always check your rear view mirrors and note if the same car has been behind you for a while. Wait until your gate is fully open before pulling into the driveway and potentially getting trapped.

3. Other Methods

Setting up roadblocks (that look official) and impersonating police officers or other authorities are also methods carjackers use, though they are more common in other countries than the U.S. So if you travel outside the country often, be aware of these common carjacking methods.

How to Avoid a Carjacking

  1. Keep your doors locked and your windows up. A carjacker may be discouraged by this and move on.
  2. Look for ways of escape when stopped. Leave some distance between you and the car in front of you in case you need to maneuver out of a dangerous situation. (A good rule of thumb is that you should always be able to see the rear tires of the car in front of you.)
  3. Keep your radio low, so you can hear someone approaching or any commotion outside your car (for instance, if the carjacker tried unsuccessfully to carjack someone else before you).
  4. Heads up! Do NOT focus on your phone or reading when stopped at a traffic light or in stop-and-go traffic. Use your side and rear-view mirrors to check your surroundings.
  5. Keep your cell phone handy to call 911 and/or to take with you if you need to exit the vehicle.

What to Do if You are Being Carjacked

If someone tries to carjack you, you need to assess the situation quickly. Is the aggressor confrontational? Do they have a weapon? Are there one or more than one of them? What is their mental state?

According to the U.S. Department of State, non-confrontation is the best response to a carjacker. “The objective is not to thwart the criminal but to survive!”  

According to mainesecurity.com, your three options are to escape, confront, or comply. We encourage you to read more about it and think through different scenarios. The more you know and plan what you would do in the event of a carjacking, the more likely you will be to remain calm and take the appropriate action.

One thing’s for sure: If you have children in the car, alert the aggressor immediately. That could alter their plans and keep the children safe.

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.