Stop. Breathe.
Before you open a single web page, find a quiet space.
Get away from noise, distractions, and people asking you for things.
You need 100% of your brain power for this. One typo on these forms can set you back weeks.
If you're already ahead of the game, and have your ID, are registered to vote, and are registered with the selective service (if AMAB {born male}), you can skip this chapter.
If you don't already have your ID or driver's license, this would be your first step as an adult.
You will need your birth certificate and your social security card to start.
If this important document wasn't given to you already, you can obtain this by asking your caregivers.
If they can't find it (or are not willing to release it), go online to usa.gov and search for "get a copy of your birth certificate".
Then click on "birth certificate copies born in the US" (or your respective link if born abroad).
Now click on the state where you were born from the map. On the left-hand side, you will see "birth" and it will tell you the cost.
You can find a link to their official website. Look for a search bar and put "vital records" or "birth certificate" to find the application.
It will generally ask you who is requesting and why. Your reason can be "for obtaining identification."
It will ask for your date of birth, city of birth, your mom's name, and father's name. If you don't have your father's name, there is usually a box to check.
If you don’t know your mom’s name, and assuming you weren’t raised by wolves, your caregiver or state institution where you were raised can provide the necessary information.
There will most likely be a charge for this certificate (usually around $30).
If you need help obtaining it, contact your local Department of Human Resources (the welfare office). Be sure to give a reliable address for receiving your certificate in the mail.
Once you have the form filled out, the state needs proof that you aren't trying to steal someone's identity. To do this, you must take the form to a Notary Public—a person legally authorized to verify your identity and witness your signature.
If you are currently without a home, you can still receive your mail. Here is how to handle the "no ID to get your mail" problem:
The Identity Check
Once you have the form filled out, the state needs a legal witness to prove you are really the one signing it. You must take the paper to a Notary Public. They will look at your photo ID to make sure it matches your face, and then they will watch you sign the paper. This creates a legal record that it was really you, which prevents other people from stealing your identity.
Where to Find a Notary
You can find a Notary Public at most banks, The UPS Store, or public libraries.
The Signing Rule
DO NOT SIGN THE FORM UNTIL YOU ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE NOTARY! If you sign it early, they did not actually "witness" the act, so they legally cannot stamp it. You would have to print the whole thing and start over.
Now, go to ssa.gov and click on the three lines in the top right corner, commonly called the hamburger icon.
Scroll down and click on "social security number and cards" and then hit start and fill out the form. Your social security card is free.
The form will ask for your driver's license or ID number. If you don't have either your driver's license or state issued ID, click on "other form of ID" and fill out the form.
Hit submit and then take your birth certificate down to your local social security office to verify.
They will ask you for some of the same information that you answered in the form. Be sure to give them a reliable address to receive your social security card.
You should receive it in 7 to 10 days.
When dealing with customer service representatives in any facet of life, please do it with respect as that will get you much further than being demanding or sounding entitled.
Try to remember that most everyone you talk to is a human being, a human who has ups and downs in their life, just like you, and you don't know where they're at so please give everyone the respect you would wish upon yourself.
They may have just had a very mean customer and they are just trying to keep it together or worse, they may have accidently run over their own dog on their way out of the driveway but still must show a professional face.
You never know what has happened before you graced them with your presence, so make it worth it. Your kindness can change their life, if not just the day.
You can find your local office address at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213 between 8 am - 7 pm Monday through Friday your local time zone.
Once you have your birth certificate and your social security card, go to your local DMV office and apply for a state ID.
The online appointment calendar is available in some states. Walk-in appointments are available in some areas, please go online or call ahead to check for rules.
Because each state has its own website for DMV, I was unable to include links. Please search "DMV" and then add your state name in the search bar for your local DMV offices.
If you receive benefits from DHS, you can obtain an ID card from them for free. Contact your local Department of Human Resources office.
A REAL ID costs more but will allow you to travel. Filling out a pre-application online helps the process go quicker.
You will need to go into your local DMV office to finish the process. Put "application for state ID" in your search bar. DO NOT click on any link that has the "ad" mark. Only click on a ".gov"!
Word of Advice: The Scam Warning
There are companies that prey on the ignorant. They tell you it is a real hassle to get your ID/birth certificate/registration/etc. and they could do it for $XXX amount.
If you agree, they not only have made a bunch of money off you but also have access to ALL your private information.
It is important to confirm that the address in the address bar is the one you intended on after clicking on a .gov link to make sure you are not redirected to another look-alike scam website.
If you can't see the entire address, copy it and paste it in a note but don't click on it, just confirm it is the one you want.
Some people put so much care into securing their phones with fingerprint, face recognition and password/pin but then don't verify that a website is legit and that their information will be protected.
Not all companies that provide this service are shady but because it is easy to do yourself, why take the chance or spend the extra money? Being aware is half the battle when it comes to protecting yourself.
Now, back to the ID. You will be asked for basically the same information: name, date of birth, address, etc. Fill it out to the best of your knowledge. Submit.
You will then be directed to bring in your proofs of things in person. It may be advisable to make an appointment, if allowable. If not, be prepared to wait, sometimes for like 2 minutes, sometimes like 5 hours, depending on the area, time, day of week and day of month.
Pro Tip: Choosing a day like Tuesday or Wednesday around the 13th-20th of the month would get you through the quickest. People tend to go renew things at the end and beginning of the week and month. Go in after 2pm when most other DMV visitors are back at work.
No hats, headpieces, or glasses can be worn in your driver's license picture! Plan accordingly.
After filling out forms, paying the fee ($40-$75) and having your picture taken, you will be given a paper copy of your ID to use until your permanent ID get sent to you in the mail.
Do not lose, damage or discard this temporary ID. I have had to use it when I lost my plastic one. Glad I saved it. Be sure to have a reliable address to receive your ID.
If you know someone with a legal car you could use, and would prefer a driver's license, you will need to go to m.driving-tests.org.
Choose your state, fill out the application, bring in your birth certificate, social security card and proof of address to your local DMV office.
(A bill in your name or copy of rental lease will do. A letter from your shelter may also work if homeless.)
Important: If you are unable to click on the link, such as if this is in print, be sure to double check your spelling of the address. I accidentally forgot the "s" at the end of tests and ended up on a different website when writing this out.
Grab a free driver handbook and get to studying while you are waiting or feel free to take it with you and come back when you feel comfortable with your knowledge.
You will then need to pass a vision test. Your eyesight will be tested to confirm you can see well enough to drive.
If you wear glasses or lenses, bring them. (They just can't be worn in pic). If you fail the vision test you will be sent to a vision specialist.
Next, you will pay like $5 for a knowledge test fee, then will have to pass the knowledge test of 35 multiple choice questions about traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices.
Some rules are weird and are rarely followed or enforced but are still on the test so be sure to read through the handbook thoroughly. This is where studying the state driver handbook reveals its powers.
If you fail the test:
You must wait at least a whole day before retaking it AND you will have to pay to take it again.
You also have the option to get an instruction permit so that you can practice driving; supervised by a licensed driver over the age of 21. That fee is around $25.
Now you can schedule your drive test. If you have taken a driver education class and you have your hard plastic driver education certificate of completion card, your drive test will be waived. Congratulations.
If not, this is where I give some personal advice.
Schedule your physical driving test in a town that you are familiar with.
Trying to take your driver’s test is nerve wracking enough but to take the driver’s test in an unfamiliar area could result in mistakes that will make you fail the test or worse yet, have an accident.
If you fail your driver's test, not to worry, you can reschedule and pay the fee again.
If you are under 18: You can fail 5 times before being required to wait 12 months. Each time having to wait until the next available scheduling.
If you are over 18: You must wait a week the first fail and 2 weeks the second time. It's best to schedule the next test at least a week out ASAP and not wait for a week to reschedule.
Or better yet, don't fail. Study, practice if you can and be confident, but not overly so.
Also, as mentioned earlier, please remember to treat customer service representatives with the amount of respect you would prefer if your roles were reversed.
Putting yourself in the shoes of others can allow you to have compassion for them, and might anger them as you wrestle their shoes off their feet, so just do it metaphorically, okay?
Donning a driver’s license doesn’t give you the license to be a jerk behind the wheel.
When using a 4000-pound machine to get you from place to place, you MUST bring with you a sense of calm compassion because not everyone has that ability.
But you, dear reader, are different. You are reading this because you want to live a good life, not one filled with revenge and stagnant hospitality.
No, you know that kindness is catchy, and you want to spread it.
That includes while driving. It’s understandable that bumper-to-bumper traffic makes you frustrated. I mean, like, why does everyone have to be driving at the same time? If they were smart, they should have left earlier.
What happens when everyone thinks that? Then everyone is still together on the roads.
It’s a necessary evil when you work a “normal job” and an inconvenience to those who work from home but still need to procure groceries or make appointments on time.
What each individual driver can do to lessen the stress on the roads is to drive like every driver you see is your family member whom you care for deeply.
Another thing you can do is to stay in the right line on a multilane freeway. The reason is the left lane is for the faster drivers to get around the slower drivers.
When you need to go faster than the car in front of you, you turn on your left blinker, check for cars and get into the left lane until you have passed the slower car. Then you use your right blinker, check if you are far enough ahead, then get over.
Please do not get over right in front of the other driver. It is nerve wrecking to have someone pull right in front of you. (Please remember that when pulling out of driveways or cross streets as well.)
If you feel like driving in the fast lane, no problem, just move to the right lane if a car is coming up behind you. It means they are the faster driver at the time so please allow them to pass you on the left.
Don’t stay in the left lane if there is a vehicle behind you. Kindly get over so they don’t have to pass on the right.
Often, they think there is a vehicle you are trying to pass so they stay behind you only to realize later there was no other cars in front. Don’t be that driver.
These can be confusing if you don’t look at the big picture. It’s a well-greased wheel. It can have a seamless flow to it if all drivers cooperate.
When approaching a roundabout, be looking ahead to see how the traffic flow is. Do not wait till you get to the entrance and then turn to look.
If you have clear visibility as you are coming to the entrance, you will be able to use your break or gas to adjust speed so that you can just glide in without fully stopping.
Do fully stop if it’s just impossible because of heavy flow but don’t stop at all if a car is not right there. It's a yield, not a stop sign.
You don’t need your blinker going in, but you are supposed to use one coming out. If you are going to exit on the first street out of the roundabout, you can use your blinker going in as you will be making a somewhat normal right-hand turn.
Safety bubbles are important to respect. When traveling behind someone, it is recommended that you follow at one car length per 10 miles per hour.
For example, if you are on the freeway going 65 miles an hour, it is important to leave six and half car spaces between you and the car ahead of you. This is important due to the reaction time and velocity of matter and the ability to stop quickly.
If you prefer to not park your car in someone’s back seat, please leave plenty of space to react.
Four-way stop signs can cause a commotion when two or more drivers stop at the same time. The rule of thumb is, the one on the right goes first, like a board game. If all stop at once, which one on the right goes?
Well, this is where curtesy and compassion come in. You can wave at the driver on your right to go or the driver to your left may wave at you.
Either way, try not to get angry when everyone tries to go at the same time. Just smile and wave while mouthing thank you. It will leave a less stressful memory on your system and theirs.
In all you do in your vehicle, do it with grace. Grace for others and for yourself.
📚 Coming Up: Transportation Chapter
This chapter covered the basics of getting a driver's license and the importance of driver etiquette.
Chapter 4: Transportation will dive much deeper into advanced driving skills, vehicle safety, maintenance, and best practices for being a safe and responsible driver. If you need more comprehensive information about driving, you'll find it there!
Once you have your identification, go to vote.gov.
Choose your state (or territory) and then press "find out how to register". It will take you to a page that will have your state's voting registration link.
After clicking on the link, you will most likely be asked for your DMV number. That is the number you see on your state ID or driver's license. Some states have just numbers while others have a combination of letters and numbers.
It will also ask for your name and your date of birth. Fill that out, prove you're not a robot and click continue.
You'll be taken to the next page where it asks you to fill out the information from your ID card such as your entire name, date of birth, plus your phone number, email address, and political party.
[I chose "not a member of a political party" because I like to vote for the person who is best for the job, not the person who is attached to a certain party.]
It will then ask for your residential address (where you live) and mailing address (where you get your mail). Click any boxes that are relevant and then continue.
You will be directed to a page to review your registration. Make sure everything is spelled correctly and your birth date and address are correct and then hit submit.
Screenshot the next page or print it out. That is your registration receipt.
You are now registered to vote.
With great power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely.
If you were born male, you must register with the selective service within 30 days of turning 18.
Failure to do so could result in a $250,000 fine and or imprisonment for 5 years.
It is rare to be drafted but it is still necessary to register.
Why does this matter?
Aside from the fine, if you don't register, you could be denied Student Loans for college and banned from Government Jobs later in life.
Don't close those doors on yourself. Get it done.
Go to sss.gov/register and sign up today.