I got my license in Mississippi. I had to drive around the block and not hit anything. There were no parking tests, and the written test was extremely easy. To get my motorcycle endorsement, I had to drive down the street while the examiner watched. I know that in some other states and countries it is much harder to get. How easy(or hard) was it for you to get your license?
Harder than that, though still pretty easy. Learners permit involves two 20-question multiple choice tests: one on rules, one on signs. You have to get at least 16/20 on each section. Not difficult. An eye exam is also done there.
Driving test–basically, drive around the town for a half an hour, parallel park, but only going forward into two or more spaces; you don’t have to back in between two cars (as if such a space existed the time of day I took my test). Did have to back into a parking space. The instructor also quizzed me a bit before the test on hand signals and knowing where a few things were on the car.
That was Nova Scotia, BTW.
I got mine in Tennessee in '88 or '89. It was insanely easy.
I had to: back out of the parking spot. Turn right out of the parking lot, go to the stop sign, stop, turn right, go half a block, turn right back into the parking lot and back into a parking spot, which I was allowed to do by pulling into the spot across from it and backing straight up.
My driving test was a breeze. I drove about half a mile down the road, did a three point turn around, and went back to the DMV. The examiner said that mine was the first car that had air conditioning that day (a sweltering 95 degree day) and that he probably would have passed me on that count alone. I’m not quite sure that he wasn’t serious.
The written test was similarly simple.
Hard! It’s a 3 step process in Michigan, which is outlined here.
It’s basically 2 rounds of driver’s ed, with a probation period when you finally get your license. The driving test is pretty rigorous, but nothing out of the ordinary. It’s the parallel parking that will get you. If you hit 6 cones, you fail and have to come back later (and pay the $40 again) to retake the test.
I have taken two tests, one in the UK and one in Michigan.
The UK test lasted about half and hour. The vision test was done by reading the licence plate of a car down the street (I don’t recall the distance), then I had to drive around some residential streets wherever the tester directed me to go. I was marked on everything from looking in the rearview mirror to the speed I was going. I also had to do an emergency stop and not skid when the tester tapped the dashboard with his clipboard. There are three manouvers; a 3 point turn, parallel parking and reversing around a corner, and you are tested on two of them. At the end of the test I was asked about half a dozen questions. The test is quite difficult and it is not usual for people to fail a couple of times before passing. A couple of years after I passed, a written test was introduced as well. In the UK test they are very picky about how you drive; you must keep both hands on the wheel, look all around, not speed etc. Here is a link to more info to give you an idea of just what it entails (incase I have forgotten anything).
When I was in Michigan, the test was much easier. Part of that is due to the fact that I ahd been driving for several years, part of it is due to the fact that the test was not as strict. First there was the written test, which was about 30 questions, and I only got 1 wrong. Next, I had to reverse park and pull up to a marked off stop sign (making sure I did not go over the line). Next we went out and drove around the streets for about 20 minutes and that was it.
My wife said that her test in Tennessee (which she took in the 70s) was like the one desribed in the OP.
i failed my first road test. i was so nervous when i was supposed to back up in a straight line… i forgot to put in in reverse! second time around went a lot smoother i had to parellel park, back up straight, and do a three point turn. got my license in mass btw.
I did mine over twenty years ago here in NSW. There was an eyesight test. Then there was a written test (multiple choice). I think you had to get about 18 out of 20 to pass. Then there was a practical test, which lasted about 40 minutes, during which the instructor tested pretty much everything: reverse parking, three-point turns, hill starts, U turns, lots of lane changing, complicated intersections, changes in speed limits, overtaking etc. I failed the practical test the first time round.
Pasadena, CA for me. The test was surprisingly short, about ten minutes. You drive on a big city street for about a minute, turn into a residential area, and then you drive around there. Lots of turns and stop signs. Then you have to park alongside the curb, go in reverse, and then you make a three-point turn.
That being said, the Pasadena DMV has one of the hardest tests in the area. The instructors tell you to turn at the last minute, so you have to be on your guard. Not to mention they’re very picky about everything. Still, at least it’s not these forty minute tests everyone else is talking about!
I got my first one in Tennessee in 1998 and it was pretty easy. I answered 16/20 questions on the written right and then did a simple circle that probably wasn’t even a mile long on the driving. I almost ran onto the sidewalk when parking but still passed though.
About four months ago, I had to get a license for Oregon because my Tennessee one had been suspended (oops) and all I had to do for it was take a 30 question test. I failed it the first time but passed it with the maximum allowed errors the next time. Heh.
I think my license’s suspended again but I’m not sure. I seem to remember a letter telling me that anyone involved in a car accident has it revoked for a period of time but I could be imagining things. Doesn’t matter anyway… I don’t own a car and am homebound anyway.
Easy.
In 1979 I was 16 and I took the test in a smallish town in Central CA. The written test was harder than the driving and I passed both the first time I tried. Maybe 40 questions and you can miss maybe 7. No parallel parking, driving my mom’s '77 Ford LTD, backing up and driving around 6 blocks. Paid a 12 dollar fee and smiled for the camera.
I rode along on the Michigan test that RickQ described as “much easier” and thought it was hugely harder than my test in Tennessee. From what I can tell, getting a license in England is much, much harder than getting one in the U.S. Of course, it is also harder to drive there, so I guess that makes sense.
Another Tennessee.
Back out of the spot. Make a left onto the road. Right at the stop, another right at the stop, another one and yet another right. A left back into the parking lot and pull straight into the parking spot ahead of me. Oh what a challenge. All of this was on APSU’s campus where the speed limit is 20mph.
It really makes you think twice about driving around in Tennessee, doesn’t it?
Nashville, Tennessee in 1996.
I don’t recall how I did on the written part of the test. It was multiple choice, though, so probably not too bad. We (I and the DMV guy) walked out to the car. He had me test the various lights (brakes, blinker, etc.) to make sure they all worked. He asked me if I had a learners permit (yes), if I had driven there today (yes). Other than giving basic directions (turn right) the only other thing he said to me was “It would have been a good idea to use your turn signal when you changed lanes there, but I’m not gonna fail you for it.”
Driving Test:
Out of the parking space. A left out of the DMV onto a three lane. Change lanes for a quick right. Down the street a bit. Right turn into a parking lot to turn around. Left back onto the street. Left at the light. Right into the parking lot of the DMV. Park.
Maybe half a mile. I was kind of disappointed, since I know how to parallel park and all that groovy stuff.
Florida here. I had to take a computer test to get my learner’s permit (failed the first time, passed the 2nd time). Then I took a drivers ed class in high school, so I didn’t have to do the driving-in-car-with-instructor thing (except with my drivers ed teachers, but they were cool). I just had to pass the class, for which there was a written exam and a driving exam - but it was much easier and less nerve-wracking than I imagined the state-given tests to be.
I was so scared of driving at first, so the class really helped. I don’t think I’d have EVER gotten the courage up to drive if my teacher hadn’t forced me into it!
Kentucky, 2000.
Permit test was two parts: a vision test (look into the visor, identify objects, colors and letters.) The written test was 20 or 25 multiple choice questions, and you had to get at least 80%, I believe. The examiner (a state trooper) graded the test right in front of you, and if you passed handed you the paperwork you needed to get your permit.
The tests, both written and driving, were based in the American Legion building down the street from the courthouse, for some reason.
The driving test was: vehicle examination, parallel parking, followed by a 10-15 minute drive around side streets in a town of about 10,000 or so (for me, anyway.) The examiner rode in the passenger seat and graded you as you drove, then gave you his report after you finished the test. You needed at least an 80 on the driving portion to pass.
A friend of mine failed her first driving test after she backed over the curb doing a turnabout. That was an immediate fail.
Hampton, Virginia. 1975.
I took a six-week course of Driver’s Education in my high school which allowed me to apply for a learner’s permit.
When my parents gave the okay, I was allowed to apply for my license.
Written test (20 questions, as I recall) and a state-of-the-art driving test.
Nearly a quarter-block of roadway/parking/intersections all on the back-lot of the DMV. A sensor was attached to the front bumper of my car and I drove the course with no instructor in the passenger seat. A computer recorded my speed, parking ability, etc. Scored a 99% on the driving test!
That got you part “B” of your license; consisting of your picture and stats.
Part “A” (your license was not complete without both parts present) was a simple card with some more information on it that was kept in a pocket on the back of part “B”.
If you were over the age of eighteen, you’d receive both parts the day you passed the test.
If you were younger, you had to attend a session of juvenile traffic court and watch your peers get their asses chewed by a judge who often suspended driving privileges for several months to a few years. Some kids were taken to jail right after the gavel came down. And after the docket was cleared, he’d lecture us on the responsibility of being good drivers, respect for the laws and his court, etc.
Pretty intimidating for a fifteen-year-old kid. And then we were all called up individually to get our part “A”.
And, one more intimidating thing…
…that judge knew my Dad… they were lodge brothers…
I got a personal talking-to when he handed me the license saying something like “I don’t have to tell you that the punishment you’d receive from me is nothing compared to what your father will do.”
Many of you people had it easy. I’ve got four words of advice for you: Don’t drive in Quebec.
Back in '90, when I learned to drive, I had to take a written test similar to this in order to get my learner’s permit.
I then had to take mandatory driving lessons, (15 hours classroom, 10 hours on the road, IIRC. Definitely no one in car but me and instructor) and after that I could take the road test. Hard, hard road test in heavy traffic, with some of the most ridiculous roads you’ve ever seen, and an examiner who refused to speak, but only tapped the dash to indicate whether oI should turne right or left. Needless to say I failed that first time, but passed the second time (a point in my favour: when I let the car ahead of me get some distance away before I went forward at a green light, and my examiner questioned me. I said "I recognize the mustache on the passenger in the car ahead, so I’m expecting that driver to do something stupid. which happened about 30 seconds later).
I got my motorcycle license two years ago in BC. Got to skip the new graduated licensing stuff since I already had a car license, but I did have to take a written exam to get my motorcycle learner’s permit.
Took lessons (which weren’t mandatory, but I’m no idiot) then had a test where the examiner wired me up with a radio receiver so I could hear him, then he got chauffered around, while giving me instructions on where to go-- over train tracks, rough terrain, school zones, etc… Passed w/flying colours.
Please explain?