Originally Posted by Boiler

Failing a US driving test.

Originally Posted by materialcontroller

The evidence in this thread suggests you are wrong.

Originally Posted by materialcontroller

Wow. Don't you think that's a bit harsh and not a little arrogant?

Originally Posted by Bob

For anyone with experience, failing is pretty embarrassing or very unlucky and pretty rare.

Some spotty nosed 15 year old on the other hand, might be a different story.

Originally Posted by materialcontroller

Most drivers "with experience" have a multitude of bad habits.

Originally Posted by materialcontroller

Wow. Don't you think that's a bit harsh and not a little arrogant?

Originally Posted by fatbrit

It's more that you've never taken a US test.

Originally Posted by materialcontroller

Or a British one for that matter.

Originally Posted by fatbrit

I think many could pass a US test without ever having driven a vehicle. Maybe an hour beforehand would be enough.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

In fairness, I think the California test is a little more taxing than others I've read about on here.

Originally Posted by MoshiMoshi

Even in California, people seem to have very different experiences with tests.

I hear about examiners who want to chat about English castles or get coffee. It wasn't like that in my test. The examiner was polite but fairly distant, and it felt like a test.

I'm pretty sure that one consistent thing about the CA test is that it's done on the roads, not in a car park. I don't agree that you could automatically pass after spending only an hour in a car! Maybe in other states, but I think in CA you'd need a bit of experience in local traffic before passing.

It's a short and pretty simple test, yes, but I imagine that an examiner having a bad day could find issue with almost anyone's driving.

Originally Posted by materialcontroller

These are good points and I'm sure fatbrit is just being facetious.

Originally Posted by lansbury

Correct, but you make the assumption a US test examiner will mark you down for them, most of the time they don't. Most tests here are of very short duration and in some places don't even involve driving on public roads.

Originally Posted by MoshiMoshi

Even in California, people seem to have very different experiences with tests.

I hear about examiners who want to chat about English castles or get coffee. It wasn't like that in my test. The examiner was polite but fairly distant, and it felt like a test.

I'm pretty sure that one consistent thing about the CA test is that it's done on the roads, not in a car park. I don't agree that you could automatically pass after spending only an hour in a car! Maybe in other states, but I think in CA you'd need a bit of experience in local traffic before passing.

It's a short and pretty simple test, yes, but I imagine that an examiner having a bad day could find issue with almost anyone's driving, especially as you're having to interact with other road-users. I'm sure it's a lot harder to fail a test in a parking lot.

Originally Posted by GraemeCA

Hi.

First off, please no sarcastic replies to this, along the lines of how could I possibly have failed something so simple (yes, I've read similar threads elsewhere).

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, got my Green Card/SSN through the middle of last year. Accordingly I went through the process of applying for my California Drivers License.

I passed the written test, no problem, and then, based on my valid UK driver's license, I was issued a Temporary License on the understanding that I could drive on that up until I'd passed the 'Behind-the-Wheel' test. I work full-time so as the DMV only seems to be open during work hours (no weekends/evenings) I've found it difficult to find an opportunity to take the 'Behind-the-Wheel' test. This in itself wasn't a problem as I was told that I could just renew the temporary license if needs be up until the time I could take the test (I renewed it several times and have been driving without any problems/issues, for the last five months).

Finally, I found some time off work to take the test. Having read on this forum, plus elsewhere, that the driving test in the US is generally a lot easier compared to the UK, I took the test with a huge degree of confidence. I've been driving for over 25 years, never had one single accident, bump or scrape, nor citation. I consider myself to be an extremely sensible and confident driver and can't even recall ever doing anything dangerous on any road anywhere which provoked other drivers to sound their horns, raise their fists or anything similar. Whilst in the UK, I'm certain I was actually the only Brit in the entire country who obeyed speed limits. Bottom-line, my experience and driving history would suggest that I'm a perfectly adequate driver and certainly not a menace on the road.

Prior to the test, as implied, I'd also been driving around California for the best part of six months - again, no accidents, bumps, scrapes, near-misses, just good, standard, sensible driving - not even a horn blasted at me in anger as I got used to the roads. I'm honestly a decent driver.

Anyway, I took the test, drove for 15 minutes around the streets of San Mateo, then arrived back at the DMV confident that I'd passed. I was then surprised alarmed to hear that I'd failed because at one point I'd committed a 'critical error'. Apparently at one point I switched lane without looking over my shoulder. Yes, I'm aware that this is a big part of the test and that it's standard driving procedure here, whereas back in the UK careful and judicious use of all mirrors is generally sufficient. The incident in question, though worthy of a fail, wasn't even dangerous as the road in front and behind me was empty and I'd checked all mirrors several times before I moved. But, yes, technically it was a fault and I didn't contest it. I accepted the 'fail' manfully and respectfully, on the understanding that I'd be more vigilant when retested.

However, what shocked me happened next. The girl who examined me then started muttering something along the lines that my temporary license would be taken away and that I'd have to get an 'Instruction Permit' with which I can only drive if accompanied by a licensed California driver over 25 years of age (!!??) She then pretty much jumped out of the car before I had time to question her, leaving me aghast and slightly confused. If I'd have nearly caused an accident or forced her to take the wheel or something like that then fine, so be it. But the supposed misdemeanour happened five minutes into the exam - she then let me drive for a further 10 minutes, during which I committed no more errors. It's not as if she hastily got me to drive back to the DMV fearful for her own life!?

Anyway, I then, as requested, went back into the offices, handed over my test result and enquired about a retest. This is where things got very confusing. Still in a state of shock at the prospect of being reduced to the same level as a 16 year old learner driver I asked the guy behind the counter if I now needed to drive 'accompanied'. He said no and that all I had to do was to make an appointment for a retest, and try again. Ironically their computer system was down at the time so I couldn't fix the appointment there and then, but he said I could phone later or try again online in the evening. I reiterated to him that having now failed my test could I still drive home 'unaccompanied'. He kind of looked at me like I was stupid and said 'of course'.

So, bottom-line, I don't know what the hell's going on. Yes, I should re-contact the DMV to confirm what's happening. Trouble is my temporary license doesn't expire until the end of the month, my retest is early next week, so part of me is thinking that until I hear/receive something 'official' from the DMV changing my license status I should just ask no questions and turn up at the appointed time for the re-test.

Of course I aim to be uber-vigilant next time round and make sure I look over shoulders when necessary (I wasn't failed on any other error) - thus I'm confident that second time round I'll pass no problem. However, until then I desperately need use of my car to both get to work and drop my kids off at school. We live out in the styx and public transport is extremely limited - I simply can't get by without a car, plus my wife works so she can't 'accompany' me in the car and we have no other friends/relatives nearby who can help out.

So, has any one else had a similar experience? Namely a Temporary License reduced to a beginners/instruction permit after a drive exam fail?

Thanks for any help/advice/anecdotes.