OT - just for yucks -driver training

[Ron Mummert]

Since my '92 with its 4WS, twin turbos, & 980hp engine is just hummin' along perfectly, I'm bored with all this SVX self-destruct chat that seems to prevail on this site. When I was visiting my long lost cousin in Houston last week, we got to talking about old times. "You never forget yer first woman", occupied a lot of our conversation. And, just like you never forgot where you were when Kennedy was shot (old timers), or when Madonna had her love child (young timers), you also never forgot the car you took your driver's license test in. (Yes, Larryiii, this ain't poifect grammer). I took the test back in 1957 with my father's '51 Buick Roadmaster that weighed more than an SVX with Rosie O'Donnell at the wheel, eating a bag of Wendy's triple burgers. NO POWER STEERING either. After the test, I was accused of taking the four right turns around the block "on two wheels", not signaling properly, taking 30 minutes to parallel park, and having a snotty attitude. I'll admit to the snotty attitude part, hell, I was 16, but the rest was BS. Nonetheless, I passed, without knowing why. So... Anyone else got a quaint rememberance of that magic day of passage into man/womenhood? Tsu.
P.S. if you "had" your first woman/mate DURING the driver test, you get extra credit, but please start another thread to begin that discussion.

[Aredubjay]

Yes, the snotty attitude is still there, as evidenced by the first line of your post. However, I'll play along.

I took my driver's test in 1971 in my Grandfather's Mercury Marquis MX Brougham, a sizeable "Land Yacht." It took me about five minutes to fail the test -- backing over the curb during parallel parking. It was no wonder. The only thing I'd driven up until that point was my cousin's VW Beetle -- who just happened to be out of town the day I took the test.

I fared better the SECOND time around, but, not much better. I secured my Mom's friend's VW Beetle to take the test in. Trouble is, it was equipped with that "new fangled" automatic stick shift. I kept stomping the floor where there was supposed to be a clutch. Luckily, the trooper ignored the thuds and at the end of the run informed me, "Well, you passed . . . barely." I just don't think he wanted to deal with me again. He told me I was a "brave" driver, "I don't see that many people who like to drive that close to the center line."

[LarryIII]

Ok Ron, I'll bite. Growing up in Neu Yoik City (Purrfict grandma); the rite of passage is turning 18 years old. On that day you can legally consume "alkyhall", get a draft card (it's not for beer) and obtain a driver's license The bane of all teen age driving testees (no jokes Randy) is parallel parking or "How do I get this boat into that little space without pushing on the two cars surrounding the parking spot ?" My morning started at 10:00 AM when I sauntered into the local barrrrh and legally ordered a shot of whiskey. Then I went down to the draft board to register. A nice old lady there tried to tell me that I had hazel colored eyes and brown hair. My eyes have always been brown ( because I am completely full of ....). My hair was black then, as opposed to scalp colored today. The test was scheduled for 1:00 PM. ". In those days the closest testing area was Spanish Harlem. My dad drove me up to the test . He had one of those 1962 land yachts with the quaint French name, "Sedan de Ville. I'll bet he just loved bringing his pride and joy ( not me, the car) into that neighborhood. My dad's car was the only new one in a line of junkers with teenagers waiting to take the test. All of us looked like Stallone in the "Amboy Dukes". Most of them were eyeing the Caddy . My Dad was not what you would call a religous man but I think I heard him praying under his breath. My turn came . The tester and I got in. I adjusted the mirrors and smartly pulled away. Well I only lurched three times. The test is conducted on NYC streets in traffic. There is no separate course. He had me make rights and lefts on different streets . Then he directed me to pull a U-turn and finally execute the dreaded parallel parking manuver. Needless to say I only tapped the car in the rear of the spot once, and I actually parked 6 inches from the curb. When I came back to the test area my Dad walked around his car 3 times, inspecting it. Then he asked me how I did. I passed it first time out. My Dad drove us home. I went and celebrated in another barrrh with another shot of whiskey. So ends this amazing tale of "How I got my License".

Larry III
PS: There will be no posts on "My first Time."

[eddycat2000]

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
Since my '92 with its 4WS, twin turbos, & 980hp engine is just hummin' along perfectly, I'm bored with all this SVX self-destruct chat that seems to prevail on this site.

Sayyyy....You didn't buy your car on e-bay didja?

[Ron Mummert]

E-Bay? Don't be absurd Eddy. I bought it from a guy named Peppe at a yard sale.

[Mr. Pockets]

...in January of 1994, almost a year late. I can't remember why I didn't have my license right when I turned 16, but I think it was because I was lazy and didn't get around to taking the school's drivers ed. course.

The test itself was uneventful but the girl I was infatuated with (sshhh - it wasn't my wife) was also taking her test that day at the same DMV office. Hers was a little more interesting because she witnessed an accident involving a school bus.

I took my test in a 1991 Ford Escort wagon. I drove that car until I got my truck, and I was NOT kind to it.

[eddycat2000]

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
E-Bay? Don't be absurd Eddy. I bought it from a guy named Peppe at a yard sale.

Yeah, wonder what happened to ol' Peppe? Seems to have vanished now that the date for his "proof" has come and gone. I haven't been over to the yahoo site in a long time, so maybe he's back.

I'm really curious as to why he had to make such an outlandish claim?? He possibly could have gotten by with 400 HP or something (MAYBE). But 980, c'mon, but I guess if you have to tell a whopper, make it a good one. Even the 14 year old brochure totin' kid had a plausible story, he just claimed that he was on his fourth tranny and X number of wheel "barings".

[SVXphile]

...and no, I didn't pull Eddy's finger! Just from reading all these wonderful stories. What a hoot!

Before I forget it...I got this trick engine off ebay; read all about in on the "1/4 mile" thread...

I took the standard drivers ed course at Bluff City High. The only time my instructor yelled at me was when I pulled out in front of a big rig. He made me pull over and then he go out a kissed the ground for some reason. Anyway, when the "big day came" , the instructor and 3 of us drove to the Highway Patrol office where we did our paperwork. They asked me to look into some eye-chart machine and read the letters without my glasses....I looked in and asked them when the letters were supposed to appear....the lady seemed annoyed and told me to put my glasses on and try again. The trooper and the 3 of us got into the Ford LTD. Each of us took turns driving on the trip down the road a few miles and back. The following was my driving test:
(1) get out of back seat and replace guy who just drove. (2)adjust mirrors (3) restart engine (4) put it in gear (5) checking behind, pull out onto the road (6) drive for 2 miles straight ahead (7) indicate left turn (8) turn into Highway Patrol parking lot (9) drive straight into a parking spot, put it in Park, parking brake, and turn off the engine. (9) get out.
That was it. When the license was finally in my hot little hand, it said I didn't need my glasses to drive! Oh who needs to read road signs anyway...
I REALLY learned how to drive, when I got my first car, a bright YELLOW A/H Sprite (not bugeye), but that is another story... Don

[1994SubaruSVX]

1993 in a plymouth minivan. i too got my licencse when i was 17. no parallel parking. i just drove around the block, used my turn signal twice and then parked. they have made it much easier to get a license now.

[eddycat2000]

Originally posted by 1994SubaruSVX
1993 in a plymouth minivan. i too got my licencse when i was 17. no parallel parking. i just drove around the block, used my turn signal twice and then parked. they have made it much easier to get a license now.

And that is a *good* thing?!?!?

[1994SubaruSVX]

i did not question the driving portion of their test. i practiced parallel parking because i thought they were going to make me do it. but hey that was fine with me that i didnt have to, i remember being really nervous.

[Seraph]

The first one was in Jordan. (Once you learn how to drive in the middle east, you can drive anywhere in the world). My trainer told trained to to || park for a day and half. Damn I learn that well. Give me any car, I will park it in any spot in a single shot -- I kid you not. Anyways. back to the test... Stick shift VW Golf -- drove around the block and || parked and what not. Then back to the test center, the guy told me to stop on the entrance hill. Then told me without holding on the parking breaks, stop the car. Then he told me to move on. I nearly stall the car. Anyways, I passed.

When I got the the states, I have to retake the damn test. I took my friend's civic and this fattest woman sat beside me. I swear, she did not fit in the front seat of the civic. Then she told me to make a 3 point turn. When I put the car in reverse, I had to tell her to move a little since her leg was in my way. I don't think she found it funny and she told me I fail cause I ran over the curb by an inch. I said no. She said I am telling you. I came back next day, took it with a guy. Passed with flying colours.


That's my story
Lwin

[jscorse]

Took it twice. First was in my dad's 80's Caprice Classic wagon. The test guy almost growled when he got in the car. I was 16 and scared to pieces. I drove away almost in the center of the road. He barked RIGHT TURN! I put my directional on and STOPPED at the sign - in the center of the road.

Made my right and moved over the the correct lane. RIGHT TURN! I did, but not without hitting the curb. Badly. The end.

Fast forward 2 years later, after some college and now needing a car for my new job hanging insulation across town. Now I have a new to me '84 Buick Skyhawk, standard. No problem. Parallel parked behind one car on a WIDE open quiet road. "stopped" on a hill without the brake too. Dad taught me that trick very carefully. Done deal. Much nicer examiner.

Now ask me about my pilot's test. Two hours of EXTREMELY nerve racking shaking. I HAD to pass. My dad was footing the bill. I aimed the plane 180degrees the wrong way while under the hood (sim. IFR) but then caught it just in time. I passed, barely.

Anybody wanna go up sometime?

[nvrmore100]

I went for the license 2 weeks after my 16th b-day. In Alberta you can "learn" to drive at age 14, which of course I got my license and my 50cc scooter the same day (as you could drive alone with a 50cc or less motorcycle).

Oh don't deny it...I was so cool.

Anyways seeing that I had been driving for two years already. I took my test at the hardest place I could (the AMA). Well I had to wait behind this one girl. She had obviously never driven in her life, and yet she was testing with them??!?!?

She managed to fail horribly and even run into the back end of the tester's car in the parking lot! Oh crap, I'm next! Believe me this woman was the worlds definition of PMS. To top it off...she's all pee'd off about her car! Ack!

Well I did really well on the test....however here comes my fatal flaw (which I've finally got really good at)....the parallel park! The most feared by the average new driver...including myself at the time. Well I performed it flawlessy....well sort of.

My technique was wonderful, however I was more than the required 25cm from the curb. I was 28cm...and yes she actually got out with a measuring tape to prove me wrong.

Well seeing that was a "manouver" as they put it into their test....bam! Instant fail!

Well, $50 and two hours later...I'm back in the car again. This time on a mission to pass or at the very minimum, cause a huge accident in where this b!tch was going to get hurt! (jk)

Well parking sucessfully completed. I passed with one deduction for stopping for a pedestrian that was jaywalking! How stupid is that...what did she want me to do...run his a$$ over??

Oh well....she's long gone and my license is still valid (knock on wood).

Ryan

[Red SVX 92]

Ah, my driving test was plenty of fun. I took the test in a 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT, my first mistake. Then I decided that I was going to take the test at a DMV Center in a not-so-great part of town. Nice car + ghetto location = big problems.

The lady I took the test with seemed to have a chip on her shoulder... very arrogant. While taking the test, I drove VERY slowly. At the stop signs, I would even stop for a full three seconds, braking very lightly so that it was hard to feel it. Then I took off as lightly as I could too. I swear, I drove the best I ever could that day.

After the test, the lady smiled at me, and told me, that, basically, I failed the test miserably. She pointed out all my mistakes in 30 seconds, including not stopping completely at a stop sign (That seriously pissed me off, because I had made so much of an effort to stop, and I know I did). She didn't explain how I messed those things up, and I know I didn't do at least of what she said. Of course, I wasn't crazy enough to argue with her, there was no way I could, because she was determined to fail me.

My final score was a 44/100. She still smiled while she told me this, just to try and get a rise out of me. Then she left.

The next time I tried the test, I wised up, and borrowed a family friend's Chevy Cavalier. I took it at the same place, and I was relieved that I didn't get the same lady this time. My evaluator this time was very friendly, and I took the test again. Imagine my surprise when I got a 91/100, more than doubling my score from last time. The only mistakes I made were taking too long at a right turn (I was being OVERLY cautious, I guess), and putting the wrong signal on during a 3-point turn. Needless to say, I was relieved

I was amused for some reason that the lady in front of me was a double taker as well. She had scored 69/100 last time, just barely below passing, then she scored a 71/100 the second time.

Um, yeah, something like that