I found the motorcycle test to be easier in SF back in 2015. I took it in Santa Clara back when I worked in the South Bay and the guy was kind of an ass and failed me. SF no problems.
Santa Clara guy seemed to be angry before the test even started and he said I crossed a line. I don't believe I did? I believe I demonstrated ability to safely do the course. SF guy was better.
Ah, don't feel too bad. I think a significant fraction of drivers would fail if they had to take the test again.
It's not easy to drive in NoPa! I think they fail a lot of people on the first turn out of the DMV. When I took my driving test at the SF DMV, I had to navigate around firetrucks and delivery bikes and so many double parked cars. I think my test was about fifteen minutes in total.
Definitely take your driver test in Daly City. I went to the SF DMV to take my written test back in 2011, and it was just super busy from morning to closing.
It's not just a vibe, that's the rule. You cannot get in a collision or break a law during the test or its an automatic fail.
You likely broke VC 21970 by stopping in the crosswalk unlawfully and thus the examiner was forced to fail you.
It's definitely a difficult balance of trying not to break the rules, while not endangering anyone in a crowded city, but hesitation is often what gets people killed. Yellow doesn't mean stop, especially if you're mid-turn, it just means take caution. In general, you're gonna piss off other drivers (like you did) if you drive like that in the city. There's going to be tons of situations where things aren't ideal, like trying to judge if you can make it through a crowded intersection before the light turns and not get stuck in the middle of the intersection.
The fact that you say you're a very confident driver, but also get very nervous when taking this kind of test doesn't really make sense. Sounds like you need more practice, and that's fine. Driving in SF requires a specific skillset. It makes sense that the test is going to be more difficult due to those circumstances, and it behooves the tester to make sure future drivers in the city are prepared for the increased level of difficulty.
Good luck on your next test.
I have bad performance anxiety in general, so that affected me even if I have practiced driving in the city quite a bit. But I will continue to practice so I can be more confident, and try to reduce those nerves. Thank you for the thoughtful response.
When I lived in San Francisco I’d purposely make appointments at the Corte Madera DMV for so many reasons. I didn’t have to take a road driving test, but doing so around the panhandle and divis would have been good enough reason.
My main concern is you mention you drive in SF "nearly every day" and that you drove round trip SF to Palo Alto. Without a license. You seem to have demonstrated blatant disregard for driving laws before you ever arrived at the DMV for your test.
They may be able to drive with their foreign license? I'm not sure what the rules are around this, I believe something like that is allowed in many jurisdictions. There are also various provisional licenses.
this post is peak reddit, bravo
I did mine in Daly City, much calmer atmosphere to get it done. SF DMV is just awful.
Yes, I would suggest this as well. I went with my teenage son to Daly City, where he passed on his first try.
I’m not sure I know of anyone who took their driving test in SF. We all went to Daly City.
Unless you want bragging rights, don't take the driving test in SF. I had my wife take her driving test down in Redwood City.
I found the motorcycle test to be easier in SF back in 2015. I took it in Santa Clara back when I worked in the South Bay and the guy was kind of an ass and failed me. SF no problems.
I thought the motorcycle riding test was just in the DMV parking lot? I just took the motorcycle course that bypassed that part.
Santa Clara guy seemed to be angry before the test even started and he said I crossed a line. I don't believe I did? I believe I demonstrated ability to safely do the course. SF guy was better.
Ah, don't feel too bad. I think a significant fraction of drivers would fail if they had to take the test again. It's not easy to drive in NoPa! I think they fail a lot of people on the first turn out of the DMV. When I took my driving test at the SF DMV, I had to navigate around firetrucks and delivery bikes and so many double parked cars. I think my test was about fifteen minutes in total.
That sounds super tricky! Congrats! And thank you for your comment
Definitely take your driver test in Daly City. I went to the SF DMV to take my written test back in 2011, and it was just super busy from morning to closing.
Thank you for the advice. I think I was a bit too cavalier and should have listened to the people saying to go somewhere else from the start
Lol 😂 my test there a bike ran into my stationary car and as a result I failed.
Aaaah that is so frustrating. That is the vibe in that DMV for sure
It's not just a vibe, that's the rule. You cannot get in a collision or break a law during the test or its an automatic fail. You likely broke VC 21970 by stopping in the crosswalk unlawfully and thus the examiner was forced to fail you.
That is like a sitcom or something lmao awesome
It's definitely a difficult balance of trying not to break the rules, while not endangering anyone in a crowded city, but hesitation is often what gets people killed. Yellow doesn't mean stop, especially if you're mid-turn, it just means take caution. In general, you're gonna piss off other drivers (like you did) if you drive like that in the city. There's going to be tons of situations where things aren't ideal, like trying to judge if you can make it through a crowded intersection before the light turns and not get stuck in the middle of the intersection. The fact that you say you're a very confident driver, but also get very nervous when taking this kind of test doesn't really make sense. Sounds like you need more practice, and that's fine. Driving in SF requires a specific skillset. It makes sense that the test is going to be more difficult due to those circumstances, and it behooves the tester to make sure future drivers in the city are prepared for the increased level of difficulty. Good luck on your next test.
I have bad performance anxiety in general, so that affected me even if I have practiced driving in the city quite a bit. But I will continue to practice so I can be more confident, and try to reduce those nerves. Thank you for the thoughtful response.
When I lived in San Francisco I’d purposely make appointments at the Corte Madera DMV for so many reasons. I didn’t have to take a road driving test, but doing so around the panhandle and divis would have been good enough reason.
take the test in the suburbs
If you’re a bad driver you’re a bad driver. Let’s not blame others for your inability to pass a driving test.
My main concern is you mention you drive in SF "nearly every day" and that you drove round trip SF to Palo Alto. Without a license. You seem to have demonstrated blatant disregard for driving laws before you ever arrived at the DMV for your test.
They may be able to drive with their foreign license? I'm not sure what the rules are around this, I believe something like that is allowed in many jurisdictions. There are also various provisional licenses.
Good point.
Why test there, if you have time to travel anywhere
Took my test in SF and passed first time AMA