Driving Test Question?
 

At long last I'm finally going to arrange to take my driving test here in CA.

I was driving in the UK, but when it came to parking I was the typical woman! I would drive another mile, rather than park somewhere more convenient if the only space available wasn't big enough to drive straight into. lol

My husband has told me that parallel parking is one of the requirements to pass the driving test here and that freaks me out. Try as I might, I can't get the hang of parking backwards, especially when I can park quite safely without endangering other motorists in my own way!

The booklet I have does not mention parallel parking as part of the test, so I'm wondering whether my husband has it wrong or is just trying to force me to park in the more acceptable way (yes, I know it's supposed to be easier!) - has anyone here taken a test in CA and know if it's part of the test or not?

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And if anyone has taken a test in CA .... how long does it take? How does it compare to the UK test?

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Try here first.

Then when you've got the hang of it, go and find an empty parking lot with some cones and try it there.

Ain't difficult. You'll do it!

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Parallel park, it's a doddle, and if they do test for it, it's usually parking behind one parked car, not between them...but chances are, you won't do it, test is only a few mins...

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I guess the test varies according to location and examiner. My husband and I both took our tests in CA. He was merely asked to drive around the block a couple of times. My test lasted about 10 minutes; nothing arduous though. The most difficult thing I was asked to do was reversing in a straight line for about 20 yards - no parallel parking :)

I wouldn't worry about it - once they know you've driven X # of years in Blighty they are unlikely to fail you (at least that's what my examiner hinted...)

Good luck!

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I took my test at the Santa Monica DMV back in November. I didn't have to do any maneuvers, other than parking head on into a parking space and I also almost managed to hit another car, which sped up behind me! The one that did get me was the hand signals for a right turn and stop, so you might wanna look them up before you go! Other than that it was a piece of pi$$!

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In NY I failed the parallel park but I still passed.

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Just as long as you don't speed, stop at the stop signs, and actually look out the sides rather than just use the mirrors, should be all set...

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I took my driving test in LA, you don't have to do a parallel park, the only thing I was asked to do was reverse in a straight line for about 20 yards, the rest of the test lasted for no longer than 10 minutes, I literally drove round the block and that was it, when I told my examiner I had been driving in England for several years, he actually siad, "oh god, don't worry about this then, its really easy!" I definately think its helps if you tell them you've already been driving back in the UK.

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I took my test in CA and it will only take about 10 min and you usually just go around the block. I didn't need to do parallel parking but had to reverse back along the side of the curb. I was told to pull into a space between two cars in the car park. I had my test in the afternoon so by the time the examiner got to me I think she had had enough. So try and get a mid morning appointment. Good Luck I am sure you will do fine

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Took it in CA - its a joke - 10 mins max - tell them you have driven in UK (pretend you thought they needed to see your UK license) On the reverse in a straight line I ended up 5ft from the kerb and she still passed me !
The written part was the hardest as you can only get five wrong but can take it 3 times in day. We just got lots of copies of the old papers as they recycle the questions .... dont worry turn up sober and dont hit anything - you'll pass

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When taking your test don't mention parallel parking (or anything else you don't want to do on your test), otherwise you will find yourself doing some parallel parking.

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I've never been able to parallel park in my life. I was dreading that too when it came to my test.

But when I was asked to do it, I did it with no problem.

Just don't worry too much about it. The more you worry, the more you'll mess it up. Just pretend you do it all the time and you'll walk the test.

From my own experience and from those I've read by fellow expats, you have to screw up BIG TIME to fail the US test.

Best of luck.

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You say that...but when I went for my theory, a kid had failed it 3 times already in the day and had failed it 5 times previously...he wanted to take it again, but his dad had run out of patience and had to get back to work, nae pleased *lol*

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Maybe he just forgot to take his Ritalin that day ;)

For those Expats that have been driving for a while, the written part is mostly common sense with some law thrown in.

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I went out of my way to take my test in Mesa instead of Scottsdale, because they don't test you on Parrallel parking. All I had to do was a three point turn.

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naaa...he was probably as thick as shi....anyway...special :D

But yeah, theory test is a bugger for the penalty points and drink laws, but that's about it...was a doddle really though.

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It really is mostly common sense. Just make sure you know the obvious abbreviations.

I got two wrong - one because I didn't know what CHP stood for...

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I had to parallel park for my test here in MD - I'd never done it before in my life, (took my original driving test in Cyprus, not the UK) and managed it well enough.

I just can't believe that they test kids on these closed courses - that shows driving skills how? :confused:

No wonder people around here can't drive properly... :rolleyes:

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Thank you to all of you have replied! It's kind of put my mind at rest - if I passed the UK driving test first time, then I should be able to pass the US driving test.

I seem to remember that my UK test lasted about 45 minutes; reversing round a corner and a three point turn didn't cause me a problem, but if they had asked me to parallel park I would have failed!

Rincewind: Am I glad to hear that I'm not the only one who can't parallel park! :)

Fatbrit: Thanks for the link - I just tried it - and failed miserably. Off now to have another go .... :D

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Myself and my hubby have to take our tests in Florida and we both passed first time in the UK in the same year and its my mission not to let him beat me LOL I just have this fear that he will so Im reading all the books I can secretly just so he doesnt get the edge, well I thought I was being cleaver until I found him reading in secret LOL. So I guess I have him worried :D

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I failed my UK driving test 3 times! Slight problem with not seeing little old ladies, they have this habit of jumping out in front of me :o

Anyway, i took my test in Delaware and as soon as the tester found out i had a UK license he just asked me to reverse for about 5 meters and do a parallel park. I managed the reverse but hit the curb on the parking.......he still passed me though :D I think it has to be really really awful for them to fail you on it.

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no pressure then Guelder Rose :D

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oooops - sorry (keeps fingers crossed for Guelder Rose)

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I have a UK HGV licence and decided to get a US CDL equivalent so I could "do a few runs" in the summer to be paid to see somemore of the country.
I was slightly bemused to find that prospective truck drivers have to learn all the mechanics and workings of the air brake system of tractor/trailors to get a NY CDL.
I thought just knowing where the brake was and when to use it was the important factor.