How many times did you fail your road test? (Class 5 Basic GDL)

[HOWITZER]

Managed to pass both the basic GDL and graduated GDL tests on the first try with zero demerits on either exam.

The only test I've scored perfect on since high school. Damn you university!

[Anduril]

Almost failed the first one because I had 2 improper shoulder checks.
Ended up hitting the concrete wall parking the next day.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Its also a bit of (bad) luck that someone was walking their dog at that time...if you had started 30 seconds earlier maybe that person's not there and you would have passed. Some of the people in here that passed their test if they had been in your shoes that day would have messed up too.

If this turns out to be one of the worst things in your life...you are kicking ass.

[pylon]

Aced my class five the day I turned sixteen, in my dads 5 speed 87 Ford Bronco. I was forced to do it in that instead of my moms automatic 90 Bonneville SSE because the rule was I had to pass on a manual transmission or I didn't get my license. I got docked 10 points on my class 6 test the next day, but still passed.

It was way different then though. I am pretty sure it was easier to achieve back then.

Here are some driving skill tales as from a former car salesman:

-I have heard from a pretty credible source, there is a Chinese driving school here selling guaranteed pass road tests as long as you can pass the written portion, which they basically give you an answer key for.

-I have also heard there is a few eastern european instructors that will do the same for the right price. I was fuming when I heard that, especially with the Eastern European drivers they are absolutely reckless when they first get here.

-Yes there is stereotypes about cultural based driving skills, but after spending 7 years of my life riding around in the back seat on test drives, there is 100% credibility to it. But it has nothing to do with skin colour, or some sort of genetic differences. There is basically zero rules to the road and next to no requirements to get a license in some countries, and driving is survival of the fittest. I always found new Chinese immigrants exceptionally timid, and almost fearful. An explanation I was given by a Chinese sales guy we had, was people in China almost never exceed 50 kph, there is so much congestion. Throw them on the Deerfoot, and it is nothing like they have experienced before.

-Russians, Czechs, Poles... basically any Eastern European based driver, they are the polar opposite, and absolutely terrifyingly aggressive drivers. They think a gas pedal is a toggle switch, it's either all the way on, or completely off. I was on a test drive with a Russian guy in an Audi A6 4.2, that pinned it up Crowchild and hit 200 while weaving through traffic before the lights at Sarcee. I was screaming at him to slow down, and started to dial 911. When he stopped at the lights, I pulled the key out of the ignition and told him he could either get in the back seat, and let me drive, or walk back to the dealership. He chose to walk.

- Best drivers by a mile are always Germans/Nordic Country drivers and Japanese Drivers. I think a huge part of that, is those Countries predominantly drive high end, high performance, manual transmission cars, and a huge chunk of their populations also ride motorcycles. Germans are the first to complain about our speed limits, yet the most obedient drivers in regards to them.

- I can count how many times a British driver unlocked the door, and hopped in the passenger seat, only to hop right out, and go around the other side. It never got old, and was always good for a mutual laugh.

- When I worked at the Porsche dealer on Macleod trail, one of the Porsche techs was a former open wheel racer / Rally car driver. The guy was amazing. He could control a car as naturally as you or I walk. Whenever a new load of Porsches came in, we would always keep an eye on the front door. When he was taking the cars for the PDI drive he would slowly slink past the front of the dealership, and 4 or 5 sales guys would race to jump shotgun. Especially if it was a 911 Turbo. Porsche expected the cars to be 'shook down' i.e.: pushed to the limit to make sure there was no issues, (at least that's what he said lol). He always did them after 6 and had a route through an industrial district that was pretty much abandoned after then. I would always make myself 'available' for evening shifts in the summer, just for these awesome roller coaster rides.

And lastly, I believe everyone should learn to ride a motorcycle. A real one, not a scooter, or Honda Cub. But learn to ride a genuine, medium to high performance motorcycle. It gives you a skill set and awareness on the road, that you will never get in a car. I wish they made a class 6 mandatory to get a class 5, because once you master bikes, that same hyper awareness crosses over to four wheeled vehicles, and you are far more respectful and aware of the safety of riders.

[Frequitude]

Failed my first time. Ran up on the curb during my parallel park.

[Thor]

I remember my luck when taking my test, hearing stories of 30-45 min long road tests in Calgary and then trying to book my test and was told there was a 90 day wait until I could get mine.

I was really upset that I had to wait so long and my father thought well lets try the High River office, BAM got in 2 days later and the guy took me for about a 10 min drive and asked me to return back to the office, passed and was ridiculously easy.

Highly recommend High River for your test

[Thor]

Originally Posted by pylon

- Best drivers by a mile are always Germans/Nordic Country drivers

This is very true, I am an incredible driver, superior in all facets to other non Nordic/Germanic peoples.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

You've posted some bat feces crazy things here over the years and were serious, so this didn't seem out of the realm of possibility of being serious.

"over the years?"
Now you're just talking out of your ass. I've been here for 6 months. If you're inferring that I'm a returning CPer, I'd love to know who you think I was before.

Since you know my posting habits so well and all

[Hatter]

Originally Posted by Thor

This is very true, I am an incredible driver, superior in all facets to other non Nordic/Germanic peoples.

Must be tough avoiding the other 17 cars in the country .

[Thor]

lol oh man you'd think it would be wide open spaces but smaller population, smaller cities, smaller roads, same traffic... The ring road in Iceland is downright scary in areas, this is not exactly a place that forgives people who drift a little off the road, BAM lava rock

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I passed on the first try. No GDL at the time either.

HOWEVER, I did fail the learner's test three times lol. But even worse than me, I have a buddy who failed the learner's five times before just straight up giving up. So yeah extra points for me!

[polak]

Originally Posted by pylon

-Russians, Czechs, Poles... basically any Eastern European based driver, they are the polar opposite, and absolutely terrifyingly aggressive drivers. They think a gas pedal is a toggle switch, it's either all the way on, or completely off. I was on a test drive with a Russian guy in an Audi A6 4.2, that pinned it up Crowchild and hit 200 while weaving through traffic before the lights at Sarcee. I was screaming at him to slow down, and started to dial 911. When he stopped at the lights, I pulled the key out of the ignition and told him he could either get in the back seat, and let me drive, or walk back to the dealership. He chose to walk.

Did you have to change your tampon after too?

What's a test drive without a Top Speed Run?

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by HOWITZER

Managed to pass both the basic GDL and graduated GDL tests on the first try with zero demerits on either exam.

Same here. Probably just the instructor I had, but the advanced road test was easier than the basic road test. The guy was really lax

On the otherhand, I know someone who failed the advanced road test twice and hasn't retested since. The first time was skipping gears while stopping (manual) and the second time he had a small crack in his windshield. Didn't even make it out of the lot the second time.

[undercoverbrother]

I never failed, passed first time at 17.


The better question you should ask yourself, OP, is how many licensed drivers could pass the test now.


I reckon I could, but it would take a lot of concentration and practice.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by pylon

- I can count how many times a British driver unlocked the door, and hopped in the passenger seat, only to hop right out, and go around the other side. It never got old, and was always good for a mutual laugh.

.

odd that this never happened to the Japanese drivers

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by pylon

-Russians, Czechs, Poles... basically any Eastern European based driver, they are the polar opposite, and absolutely terrifyingly aggressive drivers. They think a gas pedal is a toggle switch, it's either all the way on, or completely off.

Eastern Europe is full of aggressive a-holes who have no concept of safety. The more east you go, the worse it gets. I have to go back there to see family every few years, and I try to avoid being on the road as much as possible. I'll go out of my way and take the train if need be.

It's the only place I've been where I remember being on a twisy 2-lane road in the forest, where we were passing a guy, and were being passed at the same time by another car. You see this kind of idiotic stuff all the time.

Part of the reason for this, is that people were all used to driving gutless Ladas and Polski Fiats, so when all these German cars came in, it became a chance to show off. Everyone started racing like an idiot. The problem is that the roads didn't get much better. I'm sure it a place like Russia it's way worse.

[V]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I failed twice with AMA. The 3rd time I went to some no name place and passed.

My story exactly. Should have just gone to Morinville in the first place.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by pylon

And lastly, I believe everyone should learn to ride a motorcycle. A real one, not a scooter, or Honda Cub. But learn to ride a genuine, medium to high performance motorcycle. It gives you a skill set and awareness on the road, that you will never get in a car. I wish they made a class 6 mandatory to get a class 5, because once you master bikes, that same hyper awareness crosses over to four wheeled vehicles, and you are far more respectful and aware of the safety of riders.

This one caught my eye, while I don't think 90% of the drivers have the skill to ride a bike (yet?), I can say that I thought I was knew almost everything I needed to know about driving till I started riding a motorcycle (I had been driving for about 10 years before I got my motorcycle license). After riding, I think I became 10x more aware of what is going on and started doign things I never did when I drive, and just the general mentality that I don't trust anyone on the road and makes you responsible for yoruself.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by polak

Did you have to change your tampon after too?

What's a test drive without a Top Speed Run?

I have no issues being in a car at crazy speeds with a driver I trust on a desolate twisty country road or a track. When it's some idiot that smells like moldy luncheon meat, driving with one finger on the steering wheel, in a car he has never driven before, on a crowded road he is vastly unfamiliar with.... that's kinda where the trust line gets drawn.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

...
Why? Because I was turning right on a red-just-turned-green light and didn't yield for a dog walker lady across the street. What a stupid dumb ass rookie mistake...

As in she was crossing from the other side towards you? What's the actual rule there anyways for a 4+ lane roadway, if she's got one foot in the crosswalk you have to wait until she's fully crossed before turning yourself?

Or was she crossing from the corner right beside you and you cut her off?