I renewed my driver’s license on Friday. The new Connecticut licenses are sparkly and my picture is surprisingly accurate, even on the alluring “Man, what a cute driver-girl” side. But never mind that, since I’m ‘Under 21 until February 10th, 2005’ and my whole license is oriented vertically for immediate identification. The thick red stripe wasn’t distinct enough? Didn’t they notice, no one has to card me to know that I’m under 21! They did let me walk away with my old license though, a keepsake.
I think going in for the new one was even better than the first time back in junior year. It was completely anxiety free, but I still felt all that excitement because it brought back the positive memories of a virgin driver. Like lucking out with a great photo, putting that card in my wallet for the first time, listening to Nelly Furtado in my 1988 Honda Accord on the way to school, the RHS parking lot dynamic, rolling the windows all the way down after school, melting Gap lipshines on the dashboard and sticking Everyday Kolor in the windows. We took ourselves so seriously in our cars back then.
Of course, all that stuff was a million times sweeter for me because I was so devastated when I failed my driving test the first time. Hey, I needed some extra practice. I took myself a little too seriously and I needed to get a hold of my driving ego before I got that stamp of approval from the government! In honor of proving myself with three successful years as a licensed driver (well, except for pushing the car into chelsea’s tree on the first day of senior year and that one minor court incident), here is the article I wrote for ‘The Voice’ after the whole experience:
How to Fail Your Driving Test
On the day of my driver’s license test at the Danbury DMV, my greatest concern was the condition of my hair. I certainly did not want it to appear anything less than shiny, voluminous and strawberry blonde in my license picture! Little did I know how much I would have preferred the stereotypically unpleasant picture to no license at all, which is what I had in my wallet on the way home on that October afternoon.
There were three major moments during my testing experience on October 19th, 2000, that hinted at my imminent fate. First, when I asked the clerk who took my forms if I would need them again that day, he joked that I would not, “Until you come back.†He though it was quite funny. I shrugged it off, oblivious to the possibility of my failure. Secondly, once I had completed the written portion of the test (I missed two—whoops) the police officer attempted to scare me by saying, “Well, you failed,†as he looked at my score. At this point, I grew somewhat nervous.
Finally, while sitting in the DMV parking lot after executing a back-in parking job, I thought to myself, these exact words: “I, from this moment forward, am a licensed driver!â€
Not only did these coincidental events foreshadow the trauma to come, they made it all the more disappointing. Although the 12 minutes on the road are a blur in my memory, I know from my evaluation sheet that I failed because: A) When I was, “told to go left, [I] activated [my] right turn signal,†B) I used “no signal out of East Pembroke Road, and C) because the “operator [that was yours truly] approached junctions and made no effort to slow, stop, or check site line before proceeding.â€
Never mind that this government official, besides being rude, abrupt, and completely devoid of human emotion, misspelled “sight line.â€
In my defense…I was extremely nervous. In anticipating a right turn, after practicing routes during Driver’s Ed practice, I put on my right turn signal momentarily when the instructor spoke. At East Pembroke Road, I put on the correct turn signal, but the dramatic angle of the intersection caused the signal to automatically deactivate just before I turned. Finally, I was told during my final hours of Ridgefield High School’s Driver’s Ed that if I made any indication that I planned to stop my car at a place where there was no stop sign, I would fail the test. Therefore, when I approached these stop sign-less ‘junctions,’ I went against my driver’s instincts and maintained my speed to show that I wasn’t trying to stop. What else was I to do?
“So,†the inspector said after he had described my mistakes in agonizing detail, “You’re going to have to come back.†All this while standing next to the cone I had tipped over on it’s edge while parking. I didn’t think it could get any worse, until I fainted right there on the pavement. No matter how nervous you are on the day of your test, eat something before you go.
I made technical mistakes, but my errors before the test may have been even more destructive. First of all, I told far too many people that I was taking my test. I went so far as to carry a cellophane balloon from one of my friends through the halls the day before my appointment. This hurt my pride afterward, when I had to take the bus to school and break the news to everyone when they asked me excitedly, “Can I see your license?†Secondly, at 6 PM, the Danbury roads are busy and confusing enough for those who are familiar with them. An appointment at a less hectic time and a little touring and practice would have been in my best interest.
But most importantly, I did not trust my instincts. The DMV officers want to see that you know the rules, but their top priority is that you are a safe, observant driver. Had I relaxed, listened to instructions, and followed my own instincts, I would not have had to wait another two months to achieve the rights to the road.
Going back to the DMV on December 12th was a day to remember. This appointment took place at 2 PM – a much better time of day for mini-road trips in the greater Danbury area. I didn’t have to retake the written test, since I had passed it the first time. My road test lasted a long 25 minutes, but the inspector had checked off all the sections before we got in the car, and he skimmed a newspaper as we drove.
So, when your time comes, relax, but take it seriously. Listen to that voice in your head – it’s your “inner-driver,†and it usually has your best interest in heart. Be a cautious driver. But most importantly, don’t let yourself think that your lifetime as a driver depends on this one drive. Even I got behind the wheel again.
Quote of the day: “I looked above the other day, because I think that i’m good and ready for a change, and I live my life by the moon” – Nelly Furtado
***
October 30, 2009
Addendum:
Responses to this entry are most welcome! However, please note that comments submitted by readers since January 31, 2004 and in the future do not reflect the opinions of EmLocke. I do not endorse advice posted by readers, except where expressly stated otherwise. I am not, nor have I ever been an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
November 2, 2010 at 8:20 AM
This made me feel tons better… Like another girl above, I’m an honors student and overachiever in pretty much everything I do. And, I failed my driving test. All of my other friends passed on their first tries, so I’m feeling pretty dumb. I didn’t do anything dangerous or terrible; at two intersections I wasn’t sure which lane was for going straight (at one, it was the right lane, and at the other, it was the left). I was all teary when I got back to school and probably spent about a half hour in the bathroom trying to calm down. Fortunately, in PA, I can take the test again next week. I should probably just take this as a sign that I’m not quite ready for it. My instructor was nice, but I just wasn’t familiar with the roads on the test. I’m afraid other people will think I’m a reckless driver when they know I didn’t pass this time.
December 13, 2010 at 10:29 AM
i failed today within 30 seconds of starting the test. It was an automatic fail. I pulled out fine but didnt realize that the test starts right at a stop sign and drove by it like it wasn’t even there…feel like an idiot for sucha a small mistake. Watch out for stop signs!!!
January 20, 2011 at 12:05 AM
so… I took my road test today. I was so ready for it even though it was snowing and there was ice all over the road. After my test the instructor said you did amazing. He said the way I controlled the vehicle even when slipping on ice was very impressive. At this point I’m thrilled because I’m thinking I passed. But he said “despite how great of a driver you are… you failed!” He said it was because the tint on the windows of the car I was using for the test was 2% below where the law requires them to be. So, I failed not because I’m a bad driver but because the tint was too dark. Any defective equipment is an automatic failure. I don’t understand why he even took me on the road if the tint was too dark. SO MAD! I have another appointment next Tuesday… I’ll be using a different car with NO tint at all.
April 23, 2011 at 2:29 PM
@jacob I failed my test in the first 30 secs too…I was so nervous about the test, I forgot to look left before taking a left turn *facepalm* :(
July 28, 2011 at 6:54 PM
I failed mine today, I was super confident that I passed. People tell me its cuz it was my first time, and its a money scheme cuz they make like $200 each time for a re-test. Maybe its true, but I was sooooo depressed when I failed. The guy who handed me my paper said sorry like it was some kinda personal choice. But reading this made me feel much better to see that everyone felt kinda worthless after failing the first time. All I can really say is, to those who passed first time, good for you. Don’t be a douche and show off to other’s cause we might just jump you. And to those who have failed, I know its a horrible horrible feeling, to know that those 3-10 mins could have made things so much better now if you could redo them. But you know what, life goes on, its really not a big deal. Keep calm and carry on. Good luck eveybody
August 1, 2011 at 3:02 AM
I am so nervous on taking test, I know I will make a supper stupid mistake or Whatever, just do something dumb, I hope I can make through the test
September 10, 2011 at 8:32 PM
I failed my first road test today and I spent the rest of the day crying my eyes out. My tester was relatively nice, but it was raining in our area earlier and we were running late and I had to make a sharp turn, apparently she could hear the squealing from where she was. When we were filling out the paperwork I made absolutely no sense because I was so nervous. She said that she failed me because i was going 20 in a 15mph zone, and I wasn’t searching the intersections enough. I completely understand the speeding aspect and I wouldn’t have been so disappointed if she had actually looked at me during the ride. We had no almost-collisions, no issues of right of way at any stop signs, I even waited for the people turning left to clear the intersection even though my light had turned green. At no point during the ride was she in any danger. At the end she told me that I was a good driver but I needed to work on my speed (which i agree with) and making exaggerated motions so she knows I’m searching. My dad was in the car with me on the way home and for our entire 20 min drive home he offered constructive criticism, when all I wanted to do was cry. To make matters worse, I saw that one of my friends had posted that she passed her road test.
So after crying my eyes out for the last 12 hours or so, I googled “failed road test”, and here we are. I have to say that after reading everything I feel so much better about it and knowing that next time will be different.
Thank You So Much!!!
October 13, 2011 at 6:59 AM
i failed the road test yesterday. this was my second road test fail. the first time i was failed because i drive 25 mph in 15 mph but the second time i failed for no reason . i dont unerstand why i failed for the second time. I thik this was the instructor choice for failing me. Eve n if i corrected my previous mistake an drove the car within the speed limit the instructor told me that i drove slowly. What the hell
October 14, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Oh God it is so good to read these comments, I have my road test coming up soon, I am 55 and I am so so nervous. To know other find this hard has helped me a lot, I thought I was the only one. Chances are though I will be posting my tale of crying for 12hrs in the bathroom as well in a weeks time.
December 13, 2011 at 4:05 PM
WOW! I’m just getting the start of driving with my permit and I’m so scared about taking a road test in the future. I failed my permit last summer. But after reading this I’m thinking if I fail the test, I’m not the only one in the world! Thanks for posting guys!
December 21, 2011 at 2:37 PM
Fail my road test again. Those parallel parkings are killing my confidence. I failed twice for parallel parking. Is that even possible? But after reading you guys comments, I feel much better! Thanks! I will be re-schedule tomorrow. I hope that I can PASS the third time
January 23, 2012 at 11:28 AM
This has helped out bunches! I just failed my test….2 hours ago. I was absolutely devastated when he said that he had not passed me. Not only was he completely and utterly rude but he didn’t even give me a chance to talk. I burst into tears before he left the car. With this post and a little help from the gov office to reschedule my test (two weeks from today instead of a month and a half) I feel tons better. I still feel kinda dumb for not passing something I thought was going to be so simple, but I realize that its not the end of the world
May 11, 2012 at 5:33 PM
I failed my road test within 30 secs as I’m driving along the street and I just pass a school bus who’s stop sign was out. I swear it wasn’t out when I was looking >.> thus the automatic fail.
June 8, 2012 at 11:18 AM
I passed parking and was extremeley excited thinking i was basically going to pass.2 minutes after start i was at a red light turning left,i had no idea if i could go or not and i felt awkward and dumb sitting their so i looked left amd right and made the turn as i realised there was no sign saying no turn…ended up going right back to the parking lot to find out i failed.he said i am only able to make that turn if i was going right as long as there was no sign present. I was sooooooo poed -.- he even had the nerve to try an sugarcoat it and tell me i should get more practise…god i wanted to throw him out right then and their…calling again today to rescheule :P (im not telling anyone,as to when i brag or talk about it i jinx myself) good luck yall
June 12, 2012 at 2:08 PM
I am so nervous about my upcoming road test. It is this thursday and up until today I have been driving quite well. Today I went out to practice parallel parking and after two weeks of nearly perfect parking I could not do it a single time. I constantly kept hitting the curb. I really don’t want to fail but I feel like it’s imminent.
June 13, 2012 at 6:27 PM
I have recently taken my driver’s test in willimantic. i thought FOR SURE i was going to get it. My problem was that i had told all my friends that i was going for my license. This made me 10x more nervous while i waiting at the DMV. finally, the instructor called me to the car, and when he was checking the lights, he had noticed that my top rear brake light was out. (i wasn’t even aware that i had this) he gave me 15 minutes to fix it which i did. then the test began, he wasn’t the nicest fella. so i was driving fine and just finished backing in parking. pretty much my test was over, and i was heading back to the dmv. at a light i was making a left turn, and didnt notice the designated green arrow for left turn only, and turned the arrow was not green. both of the other lights were green and the pathway was clear, so i turned. he IMMEDIATELY pulled my emergency brake, and i suddenly grew extremely nervous. he says to me, “you ran a red light”. i know for a fact that i didnt run a red light, but i guess it is considered the same thing if you do not wait for the designated arrow… so my suggestion is, watch for green arrows and designated lane changes. he finally had told me that i needed to come back, and try again. he kept telling me how much of a good driver i was and all the whole time. I was DEVISTATED, and still am. Not mostly cause i failed, but also because i start working two jobs in a week and i NEEDED my license for the convenience of my parents and others, but i guess that can’t happpen. i rescheduled my license appointment for july 18th, in danbury. Its terrible how long you have to wait to get it rescheduled! :(