A Testing Experience

[jrandom]

My son was failed for no other reason than that he did not keep his hands all the time in the "10 to 2" position on the steering wheel.

How long ago did that happen? These days, the jury is out on whether that's still the best position for control in modern cars. The 'quarter to three' style has its share of well-informed advocates. [Edit: it's what I, as well as a few rally-driving friends, use.]

Your son's experience presumably just goes to show the widespread inconsistency in our license test regime.

[Fryin Finn]

Dang. Things have changed since I got my full license. I fell off when I did my test - thought it was mandatory. They passed me too.

[Ms Piggy]

Hey Hanabelle

Firstly - well done on getting your full license!

Secondly - mean people suck! I remember back in the day when I went for my car license I got a real hard hearted bitch for my testing officer and I was sooooo nervous (15 and full of self doubt) that I did practically everything wrong - even just about ran over a pedestrian! But went back and sat it again and got a really nice chap...of course the fact that Mum and I had been driving around the course all morning possibly helped too! Years later (December last year) I sat my Basic Handling Skills test and even though I passed it left me feeling quite distraught for a good few weeks after b/c the guy who took it was a little bit too agressive for my liking.

So in short - I can totally sympathise with you. Have you thought about writing a letter regarding his general manner?

[HanaBelle]

Indeed. The "officious plonker" my son got for his restricted car licence test was one of that ilk, the kind who have a small bit of power over people and think they're some kind of god. Thank goodness the one he got for the re-sit was more human and less of a dick.

...There's a big difference between following the subscribed test parameters and using stretching those same parameters for some perverted power game.

Reading your post minus the feverish glazed mist which jrandom erased, I really think it was and is a personal power issue, which is actually a sad comment on the guy's life..and that makes me feel all benign and oxytocin'ed again, like "aww, he has no love in his world or he wouldnt have to do that to girlies, and scared kids"...

I WAS reinforced in making my own choices and for someone who rides in groups that include some flat-out feisty riders, remembering to resist the pressure of "authority" and do what will keep shiny side up is a good thing. Id noticed I always want to "keep up" with the front riders and it aint always the way I need to safely ride. So yes I did recognise that lil lessons like that one remove complacency which probably will save me from injury later on.

Doesnt mean I dont still want to run over his....foot.

Mostly, though, it occurred to me that people with those kinds of humiliation power needs often do it only when they feel safe from come-back, like teenagers and new settlers are not going to have the credibility to complain. My biking buddy followed me throughout the test on Saturday. After the day before I wanted a witness (and warm support). Id recommend that to anyone with their test coming up.

Thanks too, all, for the congrats and reminding me the ordeal is over until Im 75. You rock.

Hana

[jrandom]

... the feverish glazed mist which jrandom erased...

Ja, zey haf called me, 'Ze Eraser'.

[Teflon]

*yawn* Youre a cop, right?

Don't think they like the name 'cop'. Some of the policeman i know don't anyway.

[jrandom]

Don't think they like the name 'cop'. Some of the policeman i know don't anyway.

Bollocks, that's just silly. It's been in the OED for decades, fer goodness sakes. Swot they *are*, innit.

For that matter, if it was so terribly offensive, why would the NZ Police have their recruitment office on 0800 NEW COPS?

[HanaBelle]

Hey Hanabelle

Firstly - well done on getting your full license!

Secondly - mean people suck! ...Years later (December last year) I sat my Basic Handling Skills test and even though I passed it left me feeling quite distraught for a good few weeks after b/c the guy who took it was a little bit too agressive for my liking.

Thank you for getting the whole stress emotion part! Im sure Im taking it stinkily becos I hate that some nasty old guy got to cause me actual grief.

Are you up for your final soon? Take a friend!

Re the letter, LTSA insisted on sending "a Form" so Id guess it can be detailed on that. In the meantime, my blessed biker angel and I are going out there to photograph the corner on the offchance it felt worse than it truly is. Id like to have those facts very straight.

Standardisation of testing doesnt help when marking down (or not) is a matter for the discretion of the individual tester...what COULD count is an office continuing to employ someone whose results are consistently skewed...the AA denies all responsibility as they merely house the testers and do not employ them.

I reckon they should have to take a psychometric test (cf a psycho-on-a-metric ) that measures their overall sociopathic tendancies...OR get some concept of customer service???

Ah well, safe riding...

Hana

[HanaBelle]

Bollocks, that's just silly. It's been in the OED for decades, fer goodness sakes. Swot they *are*, innit.

For that matter, if it was so terribly offensive, why would the NZ Police have their recruitment office on 0800 NEW COPS?

Ive discovered a heap of riders in the resident biker circle (including my flatmate) actually harbour not-so-secret desires to join the (ahem) NZ Police. Weird. What does being a cop have in common with biking? I'd love to know.

A thirst for telly-fed images of A Life More Exciting, perhaps?? A need to affirm otherwise lagging sense of self-worth via uniform, badge, or big bike?? Alienation from the sheepish mob??

Curiouser..

HanaBelle

[jrandom]

Ive discovered a heap of riders in the resident biker circle (including my flatmate) actually harbour not-so-secret desires to join the (ahem) NZ Police. Weird. What does being a cop have in common with biking? I'd love to know.

Not much. It probably just means that most of your resident biker circle are decent types with a desire to serve their community.

[Blakamin]

What does being a cop have in common with biking? I'd love to know.

A thirst for telly-fed images of A Life More Exciting, perhaps?? A need to affirm otherwise lagging sense of self-worth via uniform, badge, or big bike?? Alienation from the sheepish mob??

you're reading too much into it... for the males its the pulling over cute chicks bit

[jrandom]

you're reading too much into it... for the males its the pulling over cute chicks bit

Based on empirical data from watching patrol car occupants, I'd say it'd be more likely to be the ongoing proximity of high-quality cop totty.

[James Deuce]

How long ago did that happen? These days, the jury is out on whether that's still the best position for control in modern cars. The 'quarter to three' style has its share of well-informed advocates. [Edit: it's what I, as well as a few rally-driving friends, use.]

Your son's experience presumably just goes to show the widespread inconsistency in our license test regime.

The jury has returned a verdict on that one. 2 to 10 may get your radius and ulna broken when the big giant airbag they put in to restrain big giant Americans who refuse to wear seatbelts in accidents goes off. Quarter to 3 guarantees it will slap you in the chest and face instead.

[Blakamin]

Based on statistical data from watching patrol car occupants, I'd say it'd be more likely to be the ongoing proximity of high-quality cop totty.

Yeah... that too

[jrandom]

The jury has returned a verdict on that one. 2 to 10 may get your radius and ulna broken when the big giant airbag they put in to restrain big giant Americans who refuse to wear seatbelts in accidents goes off. Quarter to 3 guarantees it will slap you in the chest and face instead.

Well, there you go. I was sure there was a good reason, just too prematurely senile to remember it and too lazy to Google for it.