I had to do it three times. The first time my mother's car's tag light was out so I had to go get it fixed and come back. The next time I was at a stop sign and there was heavy traffic on the cross street. I waited so long that I thought I would fail the test for not going. So when there was a break (not really a big enough one) in traffic I floored it to make the turn. It scared the officer so severely she threw her clip board on the floor and braced for impact. I did not pass. The third time I passed with flying colors. I have a 100% clean driving record today.
Not sure of the score, but I passed first time. The inspector told me I drive a little too slow, but otherwise OK. He should see me doing 95 on the Pennsylvnia Turpike!
First time -- similar to Thriftymaid but I was at a city crossraod ,at traffic light , having been asked to take a left turn. Waited for continuous traffic coming at me, non-stop. I was sitting rather into the center of road and didn't turn left once the light had changed back to red. didn't realize I had the right of way to go head and turn left since I was stopped and waiting. That situation had not happened to me, yet, in my driving experience. That cost me.
The second time -- a suburban area with lots of cars parked on both sides of the streets -- up ahead I could see a young child on a little trike riding fast to street area and I slowed down. The officer (from my memory) was looking down at his notes at the time and told me, "C'mon, get to the speed limit." I didn't tell him what I had seen. Going too slowly cost me, too.
Then my driving permit expired and I had to start the entire testing process all over.
But my third attempt was the charm.
My 'more-of-a-fast-driver-than-me' brother (RIP) kidded me for 'forever' after that -- "All the extra time you had to put you into getting your license made you into THE safest driver I've ever seen.'
Our tests are on a private area, so no traffic or other distractions to deal with. I think it would have taken me more than twice, considering how nervous I was under ideal conditions. I might still be taking the bus!
The instructor told me to turn left, there was a car a block down the street. I had plenty of time. So I made the turn. It was uneventful. The instructor continued to give me instructions until we arrived back at the exam station. I looked at him hoping to hear I passed. He says you know when I had you turned left and there was a car coming up the street? Well, you turned in front of them and that was an automatic failure. I said "OK, thank you. I will see you tomorrow. "
I did return the following day and passed with no problems.
This post was edited by my2cents at May 16, 2025 3:56 PM MDT
Thriftymaid 