Watch out!

[ms.read]

I went driving with an instructor today. ( it was my last of three lessons) he finally deemed me ready to send out for my driver's test. Woohoo!

In celebration, I am looking for:

• 
  Some good advice on what to ( or not to) do at a driver's exam.
  Ideas on where to travel to( for a weekend) if/when I get my license.
  what the best car to get for a first timer.
  Your opinion on car insurance

 

[Saucy_Sage]

I went driving with an instructor today. ( it was my last of three lessons) he finally deemed me ready to send out for my driver's test. Woohoo!

In celebration, I am looking for:

• 
  Some good advice on what to ( or not to) do at a driver's exam.
  Ideas on where to travel to( for a weekend) if/when I get my license.
  what the best car to get for a first timer.
  Your opinion on car insurance

Good advice? Don't think about 2, 3, and 4 until after you've finished 1. Good luck!!!!

Seriously, like I told my first boyfriend, try not to hyperventilate before you pull out.

 

[ms.read]

most embarrasing thing person has done during a driver's test (as told to me by driving instructor)

1. Woman had never encountered a round about/ rotary and drove right over the circle through traffic on her driver's exam.
2. Teen drove car to test ALONE.
3.Man arrived at testing area DRUNK!

 

[oggbashan]

most embarrasing thing person has done during a driver's test (as told to me by driving instructor)

1. Woman had never encountered a round about/ rotary and drove right over the circle through traffic on her driver's exam.
2. Teen drove car to test ALONE.
3.Man arrived at testing area DRUNK!

UK examples:

1. Woman drove off the quay into the harbour during her test.

2. Man hit a parked police car, which had its flashers on, while pulling away at the start of the test.

Og's own, on motorcycle tests:

1st attempt. Couldn't restart motorcycle. Test abandoned.
2nd attempt. Fell off motorcycle during emergency stop. Automatic fail.
3rd attempt. (taken with motorcycle and sidecar). 5 minutes into the test the clutch cable broke. The examiner was sitting in the open sports sidecar. I continued, doing clutchless changes, for another ten minutes until he asked me to demonstrate a hill start. Without a clutch I couldn't do that, so I admitted that the clutch cable had broken. He passed me, then helped me to fit a solderless nipple to the clutch cable so that we could return to the test centre.

One of Og's friends:

1st attempt. Stopped by Police for speeding during the test.
2nd to 13th attempt. Failed repeatedly for exceeding 30mph limit, and other dangerous manoeuvres including passing traffic lights when red and not stopping when pedestrians were on a zebra crossing.
14th attempt. Brought down concrete lamp post during 3-point turn.
15th attempt. Failed for driving too slowly.
16th attempt. Passed. I think the examiner didn't want to see him again.

Og

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

DONT ALLOW ANYONE TO RUSH YOU.
gET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
EAT A LIGHT BREKFAST SO YOURE NOT DROWSY OR HUNGRY.
PEE BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR.
PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON. IT FAILS MORE PEOPLE THAN ANYTHING.
MAKE THE EXAMINER BUCKLE UP, TOO.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

My driver's test was the easiest thing ever. I don't think the person testing me wanted to be there, and had me skip over the basic road competency portion of the test. All he tested me on were parallel parking, backing up, and signalling. I think.

He threatened the driving school that took me with a fine for not having a rubber pad on one of the brake pedals.

 

[YoursSINSerely]

I remember being nervous. I turned to look out the back window to back up out of the parking space, stepped on the gas and then said to the DMV guy, "Why won't it go?" I had forgotten to put the car in reverse. I got my license. My Dad knew the DMV guy. Hope you have the same kind of good luck as me. Now that I think about this some 40 years later after that test, I have never had a moving forward car accident, but this summer, I did back into a truck in a parking lot, saying, "Why won't the car move and stepped on the gas even harder?" I guess I'm only meant to move forward. LOL

 

[TE999]

I went driving with an instructor today. ( it was my last of three lessons) he finally deemed me ready to send out for my driver's test. Woohoo!

In celebration, I am looking for:

• 
  Some good advice on what to ( or not to) do at a driver's exam.
  Ideas on where to travel to( for a weekend) if/when I get my license.
  what the best car to get for a first timer.
  Your opinion on car insurance

Never drive more than one block on a sidewalk. Even less if there are people on it.
Never say to the examiner "Wanna see me burn rubber?"
Never wear a NASCAR cap and jacket to the exam.
Borrow Aunt Bessie's Buick to take the exam. That earns you 30 points right there.

The nearest bar to celebrate and/or a B&B in either Key West or Myrtle Beach.

A ZR-1 Corvette or a Dodge Viper are excellent cars for the new driver.

Never buy insurance from the car trunk of a guy named Swifty. The deductibles are too high. Avoid all reptiles too.

 

[RunningJib]

Why not rent

A big ass Lincoln or Cadillac . . . we could go parking and make like teenagers in the back seat.

 

[ms.read]

A big ass Lincoln or Cadillac . . . we could go parking and make like teenagers in the back seat.

my husband would object to that, But thanks for the nice thought

Never drive more than one block on a sidewalk. Even less if there are people on it.
Never say to the examiner "Wanna see me burn rubber?"
Never wear a NASCAR cap and jacket to the exam.
Borrow Aunt Bessie's Buick to take the exam. That earns you 30 points right there.

The nearest bar to celebrate and/or a B&B in either Key West or Myrtle Beach.

A ZR-1 Corvette or a Dodge Viper are excellent cars for the new driver.

Never buy insurance from the car trunk of a guy named Swifty. The deductibles are too high. Avoid all reptiles too.

Including the GECKO?! Shit, I knew he was up to something...keeps sending me lovenotes in the mail.

I remember being nervous. I turned to look out the back window to back up out of the parking space, stepped on the gas and then said to the DMV guy, "Why won't it go?" I had forgotten to put the car in reverse. I got my license. My Dad knew the DMV guy. Hope you have the same kind of good luck as me. Now that I think about this some 40 years later after that test, I have never had a moving forward car accident, but this summer, I did back into a truck in a parking lot, saying, "Why won't the car move and stepped on the gas even harder?" I guess I'm only meant to move forward. LOL

I'm going to have you sub for me to get my license.

My driver's test was the easiest thing ever. I don't think the person testing me wanted to be there, and had me skip over the basic road competency portion of the test. All he tested me on were parallel parking, backing up, and signalling. I think.

He threatened the driving school that took me with a fine for not having a rubber pad on one of the brake pedals.

With my luck he's going to test me on everything. PLEASE NOTE THREE POINT TURNS ARE ILLEGAL IN MAINE, (good thing I learned that in Massachusetts lol)

DONT ALLOW ANYONE TO RUSH YOU.
gET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
EAT A LIGHT BREKFAST SO YOURE NOT DROWSY OR HUNGRY.
PEE BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR.
PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON. IT FAILS MORE PEOPLE THAN ANYTHING.
MAKE THE EXAMINER BUCKLE UP, TOO.

Good advice JbJ (psst... I won't tell them that I'm allergic to Air Conditioning... I immediately fall asleep when it's on. I just hope its a cold day that day. Or rainy. I'm beginning to love rainy weather.)

UK examples:

1. Woman drove off the quay into the harbour during her test. her name was ms.read

2. Man hit a parked police car, which had its flashers on, while pulling away at the start of the test.That was ms.read's blind husband driving. he tried pulling the wool over the cop's eyes.

Og's own, on motorcycle tests:

1st attempt. Couldn't restart motorcycle. Test abandoned.
2nd attempt. Fell off motorcycle during emergency stop. Automatic fail.
3rd attempt. (taken with motorcycle and sidecar). 5 minutes into the test the clutch cable broke. The examiner was sitting in the open sports sidecar. I continued, doing clutchless changes, for another ten minutes until he asked me to demonstrate a hill start. Without a clutch I couldn't do that, so I admitted that the clutch cable had broken. He passed me, then helped me to fit a solderless nipple to the clutch cable so that we could return to the test centre.must be related to my masterful brother, who could talk his way out of any problem. Also helps when you are excellent with your hands.

One of Og's friends:

1st attempt. Stopped by Police for speeding during the test.
2nd to 13th attempt. Failed repeatedly for exceeding 30mph limit, and other dangerous manoeuvres including passing traffic lights when red and not stopping when pedestrians were on a zebra crossing.
14th attempt. Brought down concrete lamp post during 3-point turn.
15th attempt. Failed for driving too slowly.
16th attempt. Passed. I think the examiner didn't want to see him again.

Og

Seriously, I think your friend is related to my family.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I went driving with an instructor today. ( it was my last of three lessons) he finally deemed me ready to send out for my driver's test. Woohoo!

In celebration, I am looking for:

• 
  Some good advice on what to ( or not to) do at a driver's exam.
  Ideas on where to travel to( for a weekend) if/when I get my license.
  what the best car to get for a first timer.
  Your opinion on car insurance

If you can, take the test in a car that is familiar to you. The first thing you do, before you even start the vehicle, is fasten your seat belt and see that the examiner's is also fastened. After you start the engine, check the mirrors and fiddle with them, whether they need adjustment or not.

Stay under the speed limit. Don't think you can get away with driving five miles over it, because you can't, when taking the test. When you pull out of the DMV parking lot, be sure to follow any posted instructions.

Don't run over any pedestrians or hit any parked cars.

Good luck!

 

[Austin8]

My top ten redneck tips

1. As soon as you arrive, announce in a loud voice: “I’m here to kick some DMV ass, baby!”
2. Make sure and rest your right hand on the instructors left knee (shows you care)
3. offer the instructor a cold beer, hey, it’s hot out there!
4. Wear a short skirt... instant passing grade
5. remember when approaching a four way stop the vehicle with the biggest tires always goes first.
6. always use cute pet names when talking to the instructor.
7. remember curbs are made for jumping, just ask my x!
8. more is better, when making your emergency exit finish with a do-nut.
9. if the car over heats make sure and fan yourself, let the instructor know that your heating up
too.
10. and last but not least, relax ms. thang, you’ll do just fine!

Good Luck!

 

[ms.read]

Awesome tips Austin and Boxlicker!

Wear short skirt (check)

Wear Seatbelt (check)

Wear out brakes on first test... (check?) lol

 

[Handley_Page]

Awesome tips Austin and Boxlicker!

Wear short skirt (check)

Wear Seatbelt (check)

Wear out brakes on first test... (check?) lol

try not to change lanes going into a roundabout.
Don't smoke, eat or drink whilst driving

Good Luck

 

[R. Richard]

Two things that could conceivably happen.

1) I had to renew my drivers license out in the boondocks. Luckily I got a tip off before I went in for the driving test. There was an alleyway, with a six foot noise wall. I stopped, with signal, sounded my horn and then proceeded. PASS!

2) If you drive a stick shift. I taed to a guy who failed his driving test because he did all of the test in second gear (of four), since there was no need to use any other gear. Once I got out of the parking lot, I did most of my driving in second gear, since that was where I needed to be for my highly modified two liter engine. On a downhill, I did shift into third,just to shift. PASS!

 

[tanru]

Taking the UK driving test was perhaps the most nerve-wracking experience of my life. I don't remember the last time my hands were so sweaty and my heart beat so hard (well —*okay, but not that way). For what it's worth, as you're in Maine, not Oxfordshire:

- The most important thing I did (and my wife inspired me with her exemplary dedication as she studied for her exam) was to go driving (with a licensed driver along, of course) throughout the area in which the driving test would be administered. That way, you would know your way around quite thoroughly, and be used to navigating any narrow roads, roundabouts, one-way streets, etc.

- Practice, practice, practice the parking and turning manoeuvres.

- As suggested above, adjust all your mirrors before you start off.

- Check your mirrors regularly as you drive.

- Check before you signal, signal, check again, then make your turn.

- Always check your blind spot directly; don't depend on the mirror. In town, watch for cyclists.

- Always keep both hands on the wheel except when changing gears (if you have an automatic, this is much easier, of course).

Best of luck!

 

[tanru]

Oh, yes — don't panic! Work your way calmly out of any minor mistake.

If you can keep your head when all about you / are losing theirs, and all that.

 

[Handley_Page]

If you can keep your head when all about you / are losing theirs . . . . . .

You have no clue as to what's happening

 

[tanru]

Strange, I don't remember that being what Kipling wrote....

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I got my drivers' license about 44 years ago. I had to take a driving test at that time. I don't believe that I've taken a physical driving test more than once since. Okay, maybe twice. If I ever have to take a test that requires parallel parking, I'm in trouble!

 

[tanru]

If I ever have to take a test that requires parallel parking, I'm in trouble!

Yes, what is it about that? We all do it well enough to pass the test (I was in spectacular form when I did mine, I must say), but within a few years we're rubbish. It's not as though we don't have to parallel park after the test is over, and yet we never seem to get better at it, we always get worse.

Or, at least, some of us do.

 

[TE999]

I got my drivers' license about 44 years ago. I had to take a driving test at that time. I don't believe that I've taken a physical driving test more than once since. Okay, maybe twice. If I ever have to take a test that requires parallel parking, I'm in trouble!

No wonder you havent been tested that often in 44 years. What examiner has the guts to say "I'm sorry Mr. Bear. You didn't pass your test...ARRRGH!" *crunch* *gobble* *burp*

 

[Boxlicker101]

Yes, what is it about that? We all do it well enough to pass the test (I was in spectacular form when I did mine, I must say), but within a few years we're rubbish. It's not as though we don't have to parallel park after the test is over, and yet we never seem to get better at it, we always get worse.

Or, at least, some of us do.

I think it's a prideful thing. You want to do it perfectly, with one swing and, if you don't, you get flustered and it takes longer. And, the longer it takes, the more embarassed y9u get, even if nobody is watching.

I've only taken the driving test once, and that was long ago. Parallel parking was not part of it, although I could have done it okay.

 

[oggbashan]

My parents took their driving tests when they were in their 50s - in Gibraltar.

Hill starts were mandatory. There were very few roads in Gibraltar that didn't require a hill start.

At the time there was only one tester for driving. He was also the only driving instructor. If you insisted on taking a test when he didn't think you were ready, he had a secret weapon.

There was a short level street that had high walls narrowing along the length of the road. Even at the start of the street a five-point turn was needed.

If he thought you weren't ready for the test he would ask you to turn the car further down the road where a seven, nine, eleven or thirteen point turn was necessary. If you touched a wall he would fail you...

For the rest of their driving lives my parents were expert at hill starts, three point turns and parking in restricted spaces. All those skills were essential in Gibraltar.

Og

 

[ms.read]

Update

On September 15th, I will be taking the road test. YAY!
On a side note, the person I was supposed to be taking the test with is currently two states away and his car broke. Umm not totalled, but not running kind of broke. So. Plan B is to do Driving school rent the car for the 2 hrs. (to get me to the test, do the test, and take me home)

Cost of Test: $20
Cost of Rental: $200
Cost of Having Freedom to TRAVEL: Priceless.









I'm soo nervous! What if I fuck up and end up having to take $10 taxi's to work all winter?!!!
What if I am never able to drive? AAHHH!!!