Driving Test

[Sheenar]

I passed the written test the first time (when I got my permit in high school), but I failed driver's ed because my mom would never take me out to practice (she was a nervous wreck when I drove, even though I'm a very safe driver). But I got my license my freshman year of college--my mom's friend took me out regularly to practice my driving --we practiced the parallel parking at the DPS office where I would take the test.
I passed the test the first time, though it took me 3 tries to successfully parallel park. And I stopped in front of railroad tracks (because one of my mom's friends told me to--and that it would get me extra points). I got fussed at and was told NEVER to stop in front of tracks, but slow down and look both ways.
In all, I got the passing score, but was told the following: "You're a good driver. Just slow." Well, I say I'm careful. I go the speed limit.
I don't currently have a car, so when I finally get one, I'll have to practice to get used to driving again--I haven't driven a car in more than a year...

[sharien chan]

But....my driving school told us to stop at railroad tracks, and check both ways.

[mechana2015]

But....my driving school told us to stop at railroad tracks, and check both ways.

The only time I've seen this apply is in two cases (at least in my state, check your own state laws in this case.) The first is if you're driving a bus, which has to stop and open the door before every set of train tracks by law (if I remember correctly). The second would be if it was an uncontrolled train crossing, without lights or guards to indicate that a train was coming, which are rare in my area but may exist in some of yours. I tend to watch the crossing guards on the one I cross and what I can see of the tracks in both directions and then gun it across the tracks, since I don't like being on them for very long.

[HiddenWoodchuck]

I love driving... I was shown how to drive by my Grandfather when I was 7, on an old dirt road. I got obsessed with driving apparently, because I had about every car related book ever released... haha. I used to read the state drivers manual when I was little and each new one they put out, so by the time I went to take the test, it was no problem at all. I was really scared too, that I wasn't gonna pass it, but I ended up doing great. I was in shock haha... the driving part was really easy for me, it was just the test that scared me, because of the random odd questions they pick... at least, that was what people told me they do... it wasn't so random or hard.

The parking was easy, because I practiced with an old junker vehicle I fixed up... I set up traffic cones and just kept doing it over the years, until I knew I had it down. The rest of the driving part was easy, even though the place I had to drive in was over crowded... and the dude made me drive a long time! I guess he really wanted me to make a mistake.(I'm not trying to make it sound like it is super easy and everyone should pass... I just did a lot of stuff that most people don't do, so it really helped me when I went to get my license)

Now the CDL license... I wouldn't advise anyone trying that one, without a lot of study and practice... not that anyone here is gonna be taking that, but just in case. :p I passed it, but it is pretty hard! I dunno how I did, but I had to take it, since the company I work for needs me to drive big vehicles sometimes.

(The easiest to get is the motorcycle license IMO)

[Warrior4Christ]

The only time I've seen this apply is in two cases (at least in my state, check your own state laws in this case.) The first is if you're driving a bus, which has to stop and open the door before every set of train tracks by law (if I remember correctly). The second would be if it was an uncontrolled train crossing, without lights or guards to indicate that a train was coming, which are rare in my area but may exist in some of yours. I tend to watch the crossing guards on the one I cross and what I can see of the tracks in both directions and then gun it across the tracks, since I don't like being on them for very long.

Interesting... I'm pretty sure the public buses here physically cannot drive while the door is open (I think it disengages the gear).

Ones without lights/boom gates have only a STOP sign here too, and they're pretty common on minor roads in the country.

In Japan, EVERY railway crossing is implicitly (or explicitly?) a stop sign. Each vehicle must stop before it crosses over the tracks.

[AsianBlossom]

I passed on the second try...I was driving a Neon, and there was this angled parking lot I was coming out of, and there was no stop sign, and no line on the ground that said "stop" or anything. I didn't see the car that was coming, and pulled out a little too far when I had to stop.

I was immediately disqualified.

And then I went home and cried for a long time. Thankfully, I passed on the next turn...and I was driving a minivan.

[mechana2015]

Interesting... I'm pretty sure the public buses here physically cannot drive while the door is open (I think it disengages the gear).

Thats the same here, actually. The bus stops, the door opens, closes, then the bus drives over the tracks.