Driving Test

[dazzleman]

And test difficulty, at least the driving part, it very dependent on the tester and the specific location.

Yes, that's true, though some states could have generally higher standards than others.

There are also a decent number of very bad drivers who never actually passed a road test, but bribed the state inspector.  The inspector who gave me my road test was later arrested for taking large numbers of bribes on an ongoing basis that were facilitated by driving schools for their students who were unable to pass that joke of a test.

[Galaxy]

Do you know what the rationale is for accepting some states and not others?

It doesn't really make sense because licenses are generally interchangable among states, so even if one state has higher standards than another, if they accept another state's license without retesting, there's no guarantee the higher standards are met.

I got my license in a state that Germany doesn't accept at all (New York), and when I transferred it to Connecticut (a state they partially accept), both the written and road test were waived.  So I'm not really sure what the difference is from the German perspective.

The way I understand it you have to prove in which state you took your drivers education and the required test. So someone which a Texas licences would still be accepted if he can prove he took his test in Arizona.

[the Teuton]

I have to mention this:

I was one point away from failing both the written test and the driving test (I scored 76% on both of them), and I've never had an accident.  In fact, I'd say I am a better driver than most people on the road.

[93JC]

Everybody thinks they're a better driver than most other people on the road...

[dazzleman]

The way I understand it you have to prove in which state you took your drivers education and the required test. So someone which a Texas licences would still be accepted if he can prove he took his test in Arizona.

Interesting.  I don't know how anybody would prove the original state of their license.  Who keeps that kind of paperwork?  I have no paperwork whatsoever that would indicate I ever had a New York license.  I surrendered the license itself when I switched to a Connecticut license.

[dazzleman]

Everybody thinks they're a better driver than most other people on the road...

That's for sure, and the law of averages says they can't possibly be right.

I think I'm an average driver.  Not bad, but not perfect either.  I think my driving skills have declined over time since most of the driving I do now is very easy driving.  I drive mostly on wide roads, rarely have to parallel park, and I only drive 8,000 miles per year.  I don't think I'm a bad driver, but I'm not sure how well I'd be able to handle an extreme driving situation.

[93JC]

I also think I'm fairly average. I can't park very well (although that's also a function of the huge turning radius on my car), I speed, I tend to cut people off once in a while...

I had a really weird experience Tuesday night which made me momentarily question my driving skills. I made a lane change in front of a guy in an Accord. I shoulder-checked and everything, made sure he was a couple car lengths back. About five seconds after I complete the change he flies past me on the right, gives me a honk and starts flicking on his turn signals, presumably trying to convey the message "Hey asshole, use your signals!" But I'm 99.99999% sure I DID signal my lane change, although I probably checked my mirror, checked my shoulder then signalled instead of signalling first.

[TBR]

I also think I'm fairly average. I can't park very well (although that's also a function of the huge turning radius on my car), I speed, I tend to cut people off once in a while...

I had a really weird experience Tuesday night which made me momentarily question my driving skills. I made a lane change in front of a guy in an Accord. I shoulder-checked and everything, made sure he was a couple car lengths back. About five seconds after I complete the change he flies past me on the right, gives me a honk and starts flicking on his turn signals, presumably trying to convey the message "Hey asshole, use your signals!" But I'm 99.99999% sure I DID signal my lane change, although I probably checked my mirror, checked my shoulder then signalled instead of signalling first.

Perhaps you have a bulb out?

[93JC]

I considered that, and believe it or not have yet to bother checking.

[NomisR]

I considered that, and believe it or not have yet to bother checking.

Does your blinkers blink extra fast? 

[the Teuton]

Have you checked the blinker fluid lately?

[Rupert]

I think it's pretty hard to come up with a metric to define an "average" driver or a "good" driver. By some respects, I'm a terrible driver. I speed, California stop, drive somewhat aggressively at times, get impatient with slow people in the way, etc. In other ways, I'm a great driver. I can control the car in most slippery situations, I have a lot of experience on a wide variety of roads, I try to be courteous to other drivers and not get in their way, I've never been in a real accident, etc.

[Raza]

I'm pretty certain that I'm the best driver who has ever lived.  Well, Senna may have been better.  #2 ain't bad though.

[2o6]

I just took the temporary permit test.


35/40 questions.

[Cookie Monster]

I just took the temporary permit test.


35/40 questions.

Permit test =/= driving test.

[dazzleman]

I just took the temporary permit test.


35/40 questions.

Is that a passing grade?  If so, congratulations.

With all the time you've had to prepare, I'm surprised you didn't get 40/40.

[2o6]

Is that a passing grade?  If so, congratulations.

With all the time you've had to prepare, I'm surprised you didn't get 40/40.

30/40 is passing. (75%)

One question I wasn't paying attention and clicked and confirmed the wrong answer. The others had to do with the BAC for a person under the age of 21.

[dazzleman]

30/40 is passing. (75%)

One question I wasn't paying attention and clicked and confirmed the wrong answer. The others had to do with the BAC for a person under the age of 21.

Congratulations, man. 

I know you waited a long time for this, and have had a lot of false starts and frustrations along the way.  That should only make this moment sweeter.

Best of luck in learning to drive, getting your license, and keeping safe out on the road.

[Xer0]

I remember taking my driving test and it being a complete joke.  I went around the block, parked in a parking lot, and got asked a few questions.  5 minutes later I walked out with a brand spankin new Illinois license.  But then again I had been driving pretty regularly since like 14 (my dad loved to take me out and have me drive which I didn't mind in the least) so I was pretty ready for it.

[2o6]

Congratulations, man. 

I know you waited a long time for this, and have had a lot of false starts and frustrations along the way.  That should only make this moment sweeter.

Best of luck in learning to drive, getting your license, and keeping safe out on the road.

Thanks. 

[hotrodalex]

The others had to do with the BAC for a person under the age of 21.

What did you put?

[2o6]

What did you put?

I put the lowest choice: .00 but under .05.


The actual answer was: More than .02 but less than .08.


The second choice and you will be considered "under the influence" if you are under the age of 21.

[hotrodalex]

I put the lowest choice: .00 but under .05.


The actual answer was: More than .02 but less than .08.


The second choice and you will be considered "under the influence" if you are under the age of 21.

I would think since it's illegal to drink under 21, it would be .00 

[2o6]

I would think since it's illegal to drink under 21, it would be .00 

That's what I thought too.

[Rupert]

Some medications have alcohol.

[Cookie Monster]

Some medications have alcohol.

Do you actually take those in enough quantity to actually raise your BAC?

[Rupert]

Yes. Well, I don't, but some people conceivably would.

[BimmerM3]

Do you actually take those in enough quantity to actually raise your BAC?

Yes. I've heard of people blowing over .02 right after they used mouth wash too.