By George Valverde

Q:I recently got into a collision and my front license plate was damaged in the process. The plates on the back of my car are fine. Can I just remove the front plates or do I need to get a replacement plate?

A: The DMV requires that all license plates and registration stickers be replaced immediately when they are lost, stolen, mutilated or become illegible. Plates must be mounted to both the front and the rear of the vehicle (CVC 5200(a)).

There are two ways to obtain replacement plates for your vehicle – in person or by mail. Using the features available on the DMV Web site, this process can be expedited and you can save valuable time. If you’d like to visit the DMV in person and order your replacement plates, cut back on your wait time by making an appointment first using the new online appointment system (www.dmv.ca.gov/foAppt2/welcome.do). If your address information is current with the DMV and you are the registered owner of the vehicle, you can order your replacement plates by mail. To download the correct order form and for additional information regarding replacement license plates, visit www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr11.htm.

Q: Does the DMV offer any resources for senior drivers to help them pass their driving test?

A: Absolutely. The DMV has a Senior Driver Ombudsman and a senior-specific link to the department’s Web site designed to provide senior drivers with useful information pertaining to driver health and safety, safe driving practices and senior driver self-assessment tests.

The DMV wants senior drivers to maintain their driving independence for as long as they can drive safely. In fact, there are more than 5.5 million drivers over the age of 55 in California and more than 2.5 million over 70. Visit the DMV’s senior Web site at www.dmv.ca.gov/about/senior/senior_top.htm to access these resources.

Q: I just moved to California and I need to get a California driver license, but my birth certificate and Social Security card were lost during my move. Can I still get a driver license?

A: Good news: You can still obtain a driver license, but you must be able to furnish other proof of your birth date. The DMV accepts a variety of documentation as verification of your birth date, not just your birth certificate. To see a list of documents accepted by the DMV for birth-date verification, visit the DMV Web site at www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP. Remember, the document must be an original or a certified copy. Your Social Security number will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the DMV office. To save time, schedule an appointment online at www.DMV.ca.gov.

George Valverde has been the California Department of Motor Vehicles director since March 2006. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.