Doesn’t matter why. It was irresponsible. Looking back over your shoulder to check the car behind you while driving down the street is a safety hazard. Or so I was taught.
You think maybe the tester wanted to see if you’d take the time to adjust the mirrors so you could use them?
I’m amazed he’d let you drive, let alone pass you, without doing so.
Brings to mind Bob Newhart’s classic driving instructor ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pee0bVsXXcY has audio, http://www.wepsite.de/driving_instructor.htm has words) routine.
In 1973 you say? Lots of strange stuff happening in those years what with the flower power kids waking up (the ones that survived) and the vets coming home from Nam.
In NY, my first examiner had it out for me the minute I stepped out the car. Took points off immediately just because I was the one who drove to the site (my friend didn’t know how to get there). During the test, I slowed down at an intersection and another car decided he didn’t need to stop at his STOP sign and barged through, almost hitting us. More points off because I had to press hard on the brakes (as opposed to letting him crash into us). Failed that first test.
Second test 2 weeks later, had the SAME EXACT EXAMINER (what were the odds?). Had made sure I wasn’t the one driving before we got there. Was a rainy day and I went extra slow just to be more careful. At the end of the test, he turned to me and said “Did I test you before?” I said yes and he smiled and said “Well you did MUCH better this time. You passed!”
I think he just had a bad day the first time and I paid for it….
Brings to mind a local car dealer by the name of Les Bacon and Sons who would show off the car on the ads by driving the car to the end of the driveway and smoking the tires getting into traffic. What does this have to do with taking a drivers’ license exam? I dunno, I just wanted to talk about Les Bacon and Sons car dealers.
My driver’s test examiner was the local highway patrolman. “See that lone truck parked on this block? I want you to parallel park behind it.” Yes! An entire half-block of maneuvering room! My brother was totally bummed a few years later when they decided to send out an examiner instead of the having the patrolman do it. She was a witch, spelled with a b, and refused to test him because he had one of our pickups licensed in the next state over. He wanted to go home and get one of our grain trucks to do the test, and he could have parallel parked it too! Even without a half block to do it in. She flunked his friend for turning too slow on ice. I figure if he didn’t lose traction or slide around, he was at exactly the right speed.
Evirtinkelbell, I was 16 the summer of 1977, too! Took my license test (in central Illinois) just a couple of weeks after turning 16. Had to drive a Buick LeSabre - what a boat!
Plods with ...™ almost 14 years ago
Just….Shiver UUUggglllleeeee
Coyoty Premium Member almost 14 years ago
Maybe he didn’t want you to rely on mirrors to look for cars around you, and forced you to look back to your blind spots.
remiles51 almost 14 years ago
Doesn’t matter why. It was irresponsible. Looking back over your shoulder to check the car behind you while driving down the street is a safety hazard. Or so I was taught.
Plods with ...™ almost 14 years ago
The one on the right side doesn’t work anyway. Says so right on it.
Donna Haag almost 14 years ago
Hey, at least he didn’t move the gun to his lap and tell you what happens if you fail.
mabrndt Premium Member almost 14 years ago
You think maybe the tester wanted to see if you’d take the time to adjust the mirrors so you could use them?
I’m amazed he’d let you drive, let alone pass you, without doing so.
Brings to mind Bob Newhart’s classic driving instructor ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pee0bVsXXcY has audio, http://www.wepsite.de/driving_instructor.htm has words) routine.
battycomic Premium Member almost 14 years ago
IIIIIIIII don’t think so!
odeliasimone almost 14 years ago
In 1973 you say? Lots of strange stuff happening in those years what with the flower power kids waking up (the ones that survived) and the vets coming home from Nam.
starlilies almost 14 years ago
In NY, my first examiner had it out for me the minute I stepped out the car. Took points off immediately just because I was the one who drove to the site (my friend didn’t know how to get there). During the test, I slowed down at an intersection and another car decided he didn’t need to stop at his STOP sign and barged through, almost hitting us. More points off because I had to press hard on the brakes (as opposed to letting him crash into us). Failed that first test.
Second test 2 weeks later, had the SAME EXACT EXAMINER (what were the odds?). Had made sure I wasn’t the one driving before we got there. Was a rainy day and I went extra slow just to be more careful. At the end of the test, he turned to me and said “Did I test you before?” I said yes and he smiled and said “Well you did MUCH better this time. You passed!”
I think he just had a bad day the first time and I paid for it….
SaunaBeach almost 14 years ago
Brings to mind a local car dealer by the name of Les Bacon and Sons who would show off the car on the ads by driving the car to the end of the driveway and smoking the tires getting into traffic. What does this have to do with taking a drivers’ license exam? I dunno, I just wanted to talk about Les Bacon and Sons car dealers.
Evirtinkelbell almost 14 years ago
I was 16 the summer of 1977 in Phoenix, AZ. The examiner was so happy that I had AC in the car he passed me even after I ran a stop sign!!!
k_sera almost 14 years ago
My driver’s test examiner was the local highway patrolman. “See that lone truck parked on this block? I want you to parallel park behind it.” Yes! An entire half-block of maneuvering room! My brother was totally bummed a few years later when they decided to send out an examiner instead of the having the patrolman do it. She was a witch, spelled with a b, and refused to test him because he had one of our pickups licensed in the next state over. He wanted to go home and get one of our grain trucks to do the test, and he could have parallel parked it too! Even without a half block to do it in. She flunked his friend for turning too slow on ice. I figure if he didn’t lose traction or slide around, he was at exactly the right speed.
cdward almost 14 years ago
Evirtinkelbell, I was 16 the summer of 1977, too! Took my license test (in central Illinois) just a couple of weeks after turning 16. Had to drive a Buick LeSabre - what a boat!
ted.hering almost 14 years ago
Maybe the examiner is just showing his battle scars from riding with bad drivers?