When I worked as Driver License Trooper back in 82 I actually had that happen on a driving test. Applicant lost control, slid sideways striking a curb and rolling up on my side in these people’s yard. He looked at me with sad eyes: “Did I fail this test????”I being the professional, unflappable Trooper with nerves of steel said: “Yes, but as a stunt driver you passed.”I have more stories than that. Wrong way drivers, stop sign blowers, red light runners, going into a panic attack and passing out (while driving), holding me hostage unless I passed them (not a good idea as I have a gun), totally ignoring where to turn just a Sunday drive, cars that made silly Far East music while they went down the road (it was not the radio it was a musical device that played whenever the car was in gear some magic stuff for good luck I was told), having a Voodoo priestess do “things” to the car and me before the test. Been there done that. Working the road chasing bad guys was much less interesting in the long run.
It was quite entertaining at times. We would get 15 minutes for you to prove you can operate this 4,000 pound piece of steel safely. MINIMUM standards only. I have handed them the new DL watch them back out and have an accident. I got one while in patrol doing a 115mph. The driver was a new teen driver 15yoa with a newly issued permit. (It had been issued 30 minutes before I stopped him). Dad was in the front seat with mom and 3 other younger siblings in the back. I asked dad to step back with his son. I asked dad if he knew how fast they were going. He replied “Yes, I am teaching my kid to drive.”I (somewhat smartly) said “Is he in training for the Indy 500?” Dad never changed his expression and said “No, I am teaching him to drive fast so he knows how to handle a vehicle.”I said okay. Please sign here firmly as it has 4 copies. Go see Judge so and so and explain it to her. I just gave up. It was no changing his opinion.
I had one driving test where the applicant screamed loudly any time I told her to turn here or there. I would say in a calm voice "At the next corner turn left (or right depending). Suddenly out of her came this ear piercing scream, jerked the wheel left and right, going around the corner at some bizarre angle, then settling down going straight. At the next corner the whole routine repeated itself and could she scream. We got back and of course she did not pass due to making bad turns. I asked what was that about. She blamed her mom teaching her. I said how? She said anytime mom told me to turn she would begin screaming and I just picked up the habit. I went Okay, come back tomorrow and you can retry the test. I just made sure it was not me next time. I don’t know if she ever passed.
Linguist about 11 years ago
These are the types of days,when you think seriously about a career change….
Say What Now‽ Premium Member about 11 years ago
How many instructors has she gone through?
LeoAutodidact about 11 years ago
Ah, How right Bob Newhart was.The Bravest and least appreciated profession of them all!
J Short about 11 years ago
My brother flipped a car upside down. He didn’t get hurt till he clicked his seatbelt and came crashing down on the ceiling.
Simon_Jester about 11 years ago
“No Ma’am. this is NOT how you flip off other drivers.”
jack fairbanks about 11 years ago
new poignance added to the concept of paranoid parking.
Vet Premium Member about 11 years ago
When I worked as Driver License Trooper back in 82 I actually had that happen on a driving test. Applicant lost control, slid sideways striking a curb and rolling up on my side in these people’s yard. He looked at me with sad eyes: “Did I fail this test????”I being the professional, unflappable Trooper with nerves of steel said: “Yes, but as a stunt driver you passed.”I have more stories than that. Wrong way drivers, stop sign blowers, red light runners, going into a panic attack and passing out (while driving), holding me hostage unless I passed them (not a good idea as I have a gun), totally ignoring where to turn just a Sunday drive, cars that made silly Far East music while they went down the road (it was not the radio it was a musical device that played whenever the car was in gear some magic stuff for good luck I was told), having a Voodoo priestess do “things” to the car and me before the test. Been there done that. Working the road chasing bad guys was much less interesting in the long run.
Vet Premium Member about 11 years ago
It was quite entertaining at times. We would get 15 minutes for you to prove you can operate this 4,000 pound piece of steel safely. MINIMUM standards only. I have handed them the new DL watch them back out and have an accident. I got one while in patrol doing a 115mph. The driver was a new teen driver 15yoa with a newly issued permit. (It had been issued 30 minutes before I stopped him). Dad was in the front seat with mom and 3 other younger siblings in the back. I asked dad to step back with his son. I asked dad if he knew how fast they were going. He replied “Yes, I am teaching my kid to drive.”I (somewhat smartly) said “Is he in training for the Indy 500?” Dad never changed his expression and said “No, I am teaching him to drive fast so he knows how to handle a vehicle.”I said okay. Please sign here firmly as it has 4 copies. Go see Judge so and so and explain it to her. I just gave up. It was no changing his opinion.
Vet Premium Member about 11 years ago
I had one driving test where the applicant screamed loudly any time I told her to turn here or there. I would say in a calm voice "At the next corner turn left (or right depending). Suddenly out of her came this ear piercing scream, jerked the wheel left and right, going around the corner at some bizarre angle, then settling down going straight. At the next corner the whole routine repeated itself and could she scream. We got back and of course she did not pass due to making bad turns. I asked what was that about. She blamed her mom teaching her. I said how? She said anytime mom told me to turn she would begin screaming and I just picked up the habit. I went Okay, come back tomorrow and you can retry the test. I just made sure it was not me next time. I don’t know if she ever passed.
gene1969 about 11 years ago
My driving instructor never wore a tux.
shyrobb about 11 years ago
True story…My Mom took Drivers Ed twice. The first instructor quit. The second took an early retirement.