Sinaporean getting a california (US) drivers license

This guide probably doesn't apply exactly if you are trying to get a license in other states of the USA. It is heavily skewed towards that of California.

This is what I did in my initial days here in California:

Getting a license in California is fairly easy here in San Francisco and actually a lot less hassle than in Pennsylvenia. There is no medical examination required, no proof of residence required. So essentially, you can get your permit/driving license on the 1st day you are here if need be.

Here are the steps in general (for learners permit/driving license):

1. Print your I-94 for registration of learners permit. The federal government done away with the white slip of paper call I-94 which was handed to you when you first enter the country and taken back each time you leave. But they have since do away with that and you basically need to go http://www.cbp.gov/i94 to print it out. And you need this in case you get pulled over by the police.

2. Get your SSN from an SSN office in the USA. This will take a few weeks and probably proof of residence etc.

3. Find the nearest DMV (you can do so by googling for DMV San Mateo, DMV Daly City, DMV Santa Clara). I did this on google maps.

3. Study for your Written Test. Trust me, you really need to read this. Do you know if you can actually cross the bicycle lane while driving/turning? Which freezes faster? Intersection or bridges? Better start studying if you want that learners permit on first try.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/

Common Questions

1. I have a driving license in Singapore and have been driving for ten years, do I need to take the drivers test all over again (including written + behind the wheel?)
- Sadly, this is not recognised. So yes, you have to take the test all over again - as if you do not know how to drive.

2. I have an out of state license (e.g. PA, NY etc) which has expire, do I actually need to sit for the test all over again?
- California state allows non out of State Drivers License (eventhough they have expired) to be exchanged for a California license. However, you are expected to take the written test before the license will be issued to you.

3. Do I need an IDP (International Drivers Permit) to drive in the USA?
No you do not. Not for the USA.

4. So what should I get a california driver's license?
If you are interested to buy a car, or get insurance for your car (its cheaper if you have a california license).

5. What proof of identity do I need to buy a car in California?
All you need is your checkbook and a valid california drivers license. Was told that you could actually register a car even if its just a drivers permit.
 

Buying Brake Pads and Disc Rotors

Been buying brake pads and brake disc (rotors) lately for my Lexus and my wife's BMW - learnt quite a bit and thought I should note this down for future reference. Here are some random things I learnt from this rather 'painful ordeal':


1. Do you have to change disc rotors often?
From past experience, you probably only change the disc rotors after changing the brake pads 3-4 times. Generally, disc rotors lasts for a while. Of course, entirely dependent on how you drive but you generally do not need to change the disc rotor each time you change your brake pads

2. How much does a Disc Rotor cost? Brake Pads?
Depending on cars, for mercedes, a Disc Rotor cost about $85 (from Golden Link Auto - Stockists for Mercedes) per side. And about $130 for a pair of brake pads (front pads are typically more expensive than rear pads). Plus a sensor ($6), you are looking at a cost of about S$438 (as of Jun 2013) just for the parts.

3. What about manpower cost?
It depends on the place you change. It can range from as low as $60 to as high as about $120. Have seen both extremes. If you are willing to bring your car across the border, you can probably get away with getting it done for about MYR$120 (~S$50). However, if you want to save time, you can pretty much get it done in Singapore for a very reasonable price.

SPC Balestier for instance, can get it done for $60. The important thing is to call them during their lull period i.e. they are free anyhow, so they will be more than glad to get it done for you rather than staying idle. If they refuse to give you $60, just call the next SPC Speedycare.

I got mine done (front and rear brake pads) + front disc rotors for about $90 at Zen Auto (30 Kaki Bukit Ave 3). Highly recommended. The team is rather professional and the cars (mostly mercedes and BMWs) gave me quite a bit of comfort too.

4. Tips on how you should go about the entire changing of disc rotors:

• Find out if your disc rotor is single wall, or double wall. The thickness of the disc rotor matters i.e. the size. And the least you can do at least visually, without taking the disc rotor out, is to visually check the wall of your disc rotor. A rotor that is too thick will not fit into the calliper of the car
• Get hold of your chasis number, forget about number plate, that is entirely inaccurate. The chasis number will give the stockist a better idea of which parts you really need
• Agree on a price before allowing the mechanic to touch the car. They tend to work on the car before the price is even negotiated. Remember, if the price is not correct, just walk!
• After getting your parts, bring it to a mechanic of your choice. One thing to note is that most brand new disc rotors come 'waxed' i.e. a thin layer of gray paint light material will cover the entire disc rotor. But some mechanics will tend to shave that wax off before even taking the wheel down to test if the disc rotors can fit the car! Take note, this is extremely wrong, because:
• The wax doesn't need to be removed, the brake bad will get rid of the wax after some driving
• In the event that the wax is worn/shaved off, it can't be exchanged/refund with the stockist - which means you would have wasted monies buying the disc rotors!

• In short summary do this; 
• Buy the parts from the stockist
• Find a good mechanic online (after reading reviews)
• Agree on a price before allowing them to jack the car
• If they attempt to take the wax off, tell them not to politely
• If the part doesn't fit, take note of the number on the Disc rotor (on Mercedes, it will be something like W169 412 00 12) and go back to the stockist with the part in its original condition
• Test the brakes by driving and stopping around. 
• Drive back home happily :)

Adding a windows (networked) printer on a Mac

1. Share the printer from Windows. Take note of the IP address and the name of the printer that is being shared.

2. Go to the mac, go to System Preference > Printers

3. Right click on the topbar and click 'customize toolbar' and drag 'Advance Options' to the toolbar

4. Click on Advance Options

5. Select "windows"

6. In the SMB path put the following:
smb://Aaron%20Tan:@/

Where Aaron%20Tan - is basically your windows username (replace space with %20 if there is space)
- is your password on windows
- as described e.g. 192.168.0.105
- as described in your shared settings on WINDOWS, e.g. Deskjet

7. Save. and try to print.. probably should also install the driver on the mac so that you can select the right type of device.

page_content.php
areas.php

Modify these two files to add new 'areas' for layout

Running Crontab

/usr/bin/php /Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/htdocs/XXXX/crawl.php

Example :

cd /etc

crontab -e

Inside the crontab document:
48 * * * * /usr/bin/php /Applications/XAMPP/xamppfiles/htdocs/carmart/crawl-delta.php