Driving License – The final process (4)

Read part 3 here.
The examiner is happy you are happy, the examiner puts his signature on the paper and a seal. Now you are ready to apply for the license (Ridicky Prukaz) at Magistrat office, Kounicova 67 , Brno.
Take a token and go to the counter. At the counter the person would explain to you what are all the documents to be submitted. You would also be given a form which would make it easy at each office to explain.
1. Resident Permit Card
2. If the resident permit card is nearing expiry and you have submitted the documents at the foreign police, then provide your passport.
3. Your passport should have a bridge visa stamping
4. You would need to provide a verification letter from the insurance company. This is a 5mins work at the insurance office. If your insurance is with VZP, then go to their office Benesova near Grand Hotel. The letter is provided free of charge.
5. Check your house lease agreement, if it is older than 6months, you would need a signature from your house owner that you are indeed staying here. There would also need to be a statement mentioning the same.
6. If you are married then your wife/husband has to provide an authorized letter that she/he is residing with you. This verification is possible at Czech Point in Ceska Posta. I normally prefer the main office near Hlavni Nadrazi. The Czech Point is located in the first floor. The cost of getting it authorized is 60CZK and they would provide the stamping.
7. If you are married then marriage certificate is required.

Do remember all the documents should be in Czech language only. Take all the documents along with the form provided earlier and submit the same along with paper signed by the driving examiner.
Once submitted you pay a fee of 200CZK. They would give a receipt of payment and a small slip which mentions the date you had submitted the documents.
You could check online for on what date you would get the driving license. Usually the license should be available in the office within 10 days of submitting the documents. The maximum time limit is 21days. On the date mentioned in the website, take the following:
1. Resident permit card
2. Passport if in case required
3. Receipt of payment of 200CZK
4. The small slip they gave you at the counter after submitting the documents

They would verify the details and give you your driving license (Ridicky Prukaz). They would take your signature on the form which confirms that you have taken it.
Check your license verify the details for:
1. Your name
2. Your address
3. The license would be valid for 10years
4. Behind the license would be mentioned what all vehicle categories you could drive (AM, B, B1)

Now you are ready to drive. Happy driving.

 

Driving License – The Learning (2)

Read the initial process here. (Click the link)

The learning is the most important part especially for people from countries where the driving is on left side of the road, like in England.
The first step is to sit on the other side and to ensure driving on right side of road. One point I always kept in mind, now and before is that the while driving, the median on the road is always next to the hand on the door.
In Czech Republic like other countries in European Union, rules are very similar. Make sure to read the road signs and understand what they mean. On a junction if there is a sign board with letters “STOP” do stop for few seconds with best view of all directions.
Another most important is the speed limit in residential zone. Thirdly, beware of public transport. If there is a tram you give priority to the tram. Fourth is the bus, keep an eye for the indicator before overtaking when it is standing at the stop. Fifth is entering into and exit at circle/roundabout.
Maintain speed limit at all times on the road. Do not be smart if the road is empty! For all other rules, the instructor from driving school would teach you and also share the full content.
Learn to park the car.

Sometimes we may it is not required, but still learn the internals of the car like how to check engine oil, brake fluid, the water for windshield viper. Then the lights in the front and back. The breakdown kit and the tyre size and air volume to be filled.

I took couple of classes to get used to first looking at the signs on the side of the road. Later I started to recognize the sign boards and what they mean.
In my case since I took classes from AutoSkola Real, Brno, the instructor Rene Foral was very helpful and patiently explained the rules. He also ensured that rules are followed along with other tips.

By the rule, it is mandatory to take 14 classes before appearing for the exam. Each class would be 1.5hrs duration. If extra classes are required, the driving school would help in that.

Happy learning.

Expat in Brno – To be in a community or not?

After a week of stay in Brno and beginning work I decided to join an expat community. I felt it would be a great way to make new friends and share views and ideas. With that intention I found a website (click here). I registered myself and got an automated mail that they would process in 24hrs!

48hrs and am still waiting for their response! If they process in 24hrs at least by 36hrs there would be a mail if they want me in or not. Inter Nations, phew! 🙂