CA Driver's license rant

[Scott Douglas]

Renewal costs $45.
IF you fail the test three times you forfeit the $45 and have to start over with the application process.
No where do they tell you your $45 is gone if that happens.
I passed my driver's license part but failed the motorcycle test.
I'd be dead if I followed their recommendations for how to ride.
Now I get to go thru this whole BS situation again.
What a crock of you know what.

End of rant, thanks for listening or reading.

[pwd72s]

Easy to pass the motorcycle test on a small dirt bike while giving them what they want. Borrow something 250cc or smaller. Got my bike endorsement with a 160cc Yamaha. Haven't ridden in decades, but the endorsement remains....

[Steve F]

Oh man, don't get me started with the Division of Misery and Violence!! $147 to register a 1966 VW bug!!! $27 just to non-op now too!!!

[Scott Douglas]

It wasn't the riding part, it was the computer test that I failed.

It's pretty obvious the writer of the test has never ridden a motorcycle.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

It wasn't the riding part, it was the computer test that I failed.

It's pretty obvious the writer of the test has never ridden a motorcycle.

Don't feel bad. It's a common error that many make..expecting government to be logical. So, study up a bit, give 'em what they want.

[gregpark]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

It wasn't the riding part, it was the computer test that I failed.

It's pretty obvious the writer of the test has never ridden a motorcycle.

They say there are no trick questions. They lie. I failed the last time too but the guy let me try again while I was still there and I passed. Read and re read the quiz questions carefully. I took the test hone after and had my CHP motorcycle Sargent son in law take the quiz. He failed it too!

[Scott Douglas]

Like I said, if I'd followed their advice when riding I'd be dead.

I don't feel so bad if a CHP sargent can't pass it either.

Well, except for the wasted $45.

[GH85Carrera]

My wife and I renewed our licenses recently. They are good for 8 years, and total cost was $0.00. Over 65 is a free license. We got the new Secure IDs. Easy peasy.

[stevej37]

Our local dmv hires the school bus garage manager to do all cdl road tests.
He charges $50 for each test and the money goes in his pocket. (10 yrs ago it was $50...prob $75 now)

He had a habit of finding any small error to fail applicants....hence he made $100 for each. I took the road test with him and he wanted to fail me for not stopping at an abandoned RR line that crossed a side street.
We argued about it and he gave in and he finally passed me. He had quite a racket going.

[Bill Douglas]

Ha, I just renewed my drivers license yesterday. I was having a "good eyesight" day so I went in paid the (about) us$20 and did the basic onsite sight test. All over in 15 minutes and good for another ten years. I didn't renew my truck driving extras as I haven't driven a truck in 45 years and didn't want to pay to do a doctors medical.

She took my photo for on the license. I imagined her with her top off so there will be a pick of me with a big happy smile on my face LOL

[stevej37]

^^^ Did she tilt the camera down to take the pic?

[Bill Douglas]

Haha, she was good looking enough to work as viagra. Just think of her...

[Zeke]

I was talking to a young neighbor in his 20's and we were talking about drivers. I mentioned that I wonder why no one seems to understand the driver on the right at a 4-way stop has the right-of-way. He said that was not on the last test he took.

That's a good thing for me as I live in a neighborhood with a 4-way every other block. When I am the yielding party I come to a full stop and count to 3. If they don't move I do and don't hesitate. I've had a lot of people start a split second after me and they did have the right of way, until 3 seconds past that is.

They then typically jamb on the brakes and lay on the horn. Fk 'em. This also stems from coming to the stop and they have the ROW and I'm supposed to see some c*** inside dark tinted windows rapidly waving me to go ahead. No problem Ms. Syphilis Brain, I was going to anyway.

[Tobra]

It was going to cost me $27 when the sticker got stolen off the license plate, even though it was all sliced up. Apparently they put clear packing tape on it and lift it off. I just waited until the renewal. Now I keep the sticker in my wallet until it expires, then put it on the car

[E Sully]

Scott,
I have to ask, what were the answers you disagreed with?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Tobra

It was going to cost me $27 when the sticker got stolen off the license plate, even though it was all sliced up. Apparently they put clear packing tape on it and lift it off. I just waited until the renewal. Now I keep the sticker in my wallet until it expires, then put it on the car

Yep, I paid my registration and never received the sticker. I just ignore it. One a few down was yellow, the color of 2024. Good enough.

[SpyderMike]

My wife got CA endorsed by taking the class at Saddleback CC. They used small bikes (175s?).

[JavaBrewer]

Agree if you take the motorcycle safety course in your area you will not have to do the riding test at the DMV - just the exam.

My only gripe with CA DMV is the appointment dates are 1 month+ out here in NC San Diego. I lost my wallet early this year and ended up having to walk in and wait ~90 minutes w/o appointment for a replacement DL. The DMV folks were efficient and polite.

[PorscheGAL]

Just a question: You need to take the written test when you renew in CA?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

It wasn't the riding part, it was the computer test that I failed.

It's pretty obvious the writer of the test has never ridden a motorcycle.

You're not supposed to answer the questions correctly. You're supposed to give them the answers that they want, and usually those answers come directly out of a "handbook" that they give away for free (likely a download these days).