DD *failed* AGAIN!!! major vent About This Page:

[graygables]

The first time I felt sorry for her, but this time we had lots of practice doing the maneuverability course. She's had an attitude about the whole thing, really being a little you-know-what about it. I even took her to run through it right before the test and she was fine, but during the test what does she do? Backs STRAIGHT up over a cone. Instant fail. The tester told me she didn't even turn the wheel *or* stop when she touched the cone (which if it hadn't fallen over, she would have been OK still), which I could see from the window, but DD insists that she did it right, it's the cone that was in the wrong spot. Whatever. I am *SO* ticked off at her right now. She works until 10pm tonight and tomorrow night, so there I go again having to pick her up from work. I told my mom that if she failed one more time, I was making her quit, b/c I am *SO* tired of driving her 30 minutes each way to work, she turned 16 in June and needs to get her doggone license, so now my mom is on my case about what a terrible mother I am for not "making the sacrifice to drive DD to her job."

Part of the problem is the driving school told them to look in their mirrors for certain "cues" to do the test and did *NOT* teach them to actually look over their shoulders and behind them! Needless to say, they're getting a call from me on Monday. DD doesn't have to change lanes much on the ride from work, so I never noticed before, but yesterday, she just flipped her signal and moved over without even looking (and almost hit an SUV). "They never had us do that" she says. OMG! Anyway, she is off most of next week for the MOA meet, but she testing one more time the week after that and that's it as far as I'm concerned. In Ohio, if you fail 4 times, you have to wait 6 months, re-apply for a temporary license and start the whole process again. I may send her to live in Oklahoma after all!

[katspjs]

Oh no! Here's a bit of pixie dust for both of you. Hopefully, she'll pass the next time. I remember taking drivers ed (the part where we actually got to drive), relying on your mirrors was a big No-No.

[my2girls]

I'm so sorry that DD didn't pass this time around. While I have no words of wisdom to offer you - I can only offer


Hang in there.

[loobyoxlip]

Oh, NO! I hope she nails it next time (the test, that is...not another car! )

[StephanieS]

My mom was the opposite- she wanted to take me to work and didn't want me to ever drive.

I failed the test the first time b/c when I was backing up, I looked in my mirror and then also looked over my shoulder. The guy said "You used your mirrors and looked over your shoulder- pick one or the other, you can't do both!". I had never heard of anything like that b/c I know you can't always rely on the mirrors. -Steph

[wdwlovers]

[GATechGal]

[ QUOTE ]
I failed the test the first time b/c when I was backing up, I looked in my mirror and then also looked over my shoulder. The guy said "You used your mirrors and looked over your shoulder- pick one or the other, you can't do both!". I had never heard of anything like that b/c I know you can't always rely on the mirrors. -Steph

[/ QUOTE ]What MORON would tell you not to also look over your shoulder? Have they never heard of BLIND SPOTS. Your mirrors don't show you everything.
I hate it when my DD ignores advice just because it comes from me. Dawn, I think calling the driving school is a good idea. Maybe if your DD thought she would have to give up her job until she can learn to drive, it would motivate her to try more closely. Good Luck.

[chezp]

Here's some that she gets through it the next time.

[DrDolphin]

Here's lots of pixie dust for you and hoping that DD gets it right. I was not allowed to get a job UNTIL I passed my drivers test - my mother told me it was a statement about me taking responsibility for myself since I would need the job to give them (DParents) money to cover my insurance coverage on their policy.

[LizardCop]

She'll get it sooner or later...

As a teenager, I couldn't get a job unless I had transportation set up in advance, without relying on family members or friends...

That rule applied to my children also, they had to learn independence and responsibility sooner or later and if they were "responsible" enough to get a job they needed to be "responsible" enough to have a way to get there and home without inconveniencing others...

[denwol]

I got the same speech in reverse...I couldn't get my license until I had a job (at least in the summers - she really didn't like me working during the school year), and could pay the first 6 months of insurance up front.

I had to show that I would be responsible enough to earn the money for the car insurance, before I could drive the car.

Your daughter will pass eventually...It sounds to me like they are being a bit ridiculous at the testing place, not that it's her fault.
I wouldn't be too hard on her. If it upsets you this much - imagine how it makes her feel. This is supposed to be an exciting time in her life, the next step toward adulthood. Please don't make it about you.

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

I couldn't get my license until I had enough money to buy my own car and pay my own insurance

Good luck to DD

[stretch2864]

for you and your DD! I think teaching your kids to drive is one of life's most trying experiences! DD's birthday is in January so when she took her test almost two years ago, the weather was horrid. It was cold and snowy and slushy. You couldn't even see any of the lines on the road of the DMV course. The plows were going around continuosly and the roads were still awful. DD took her test anyways. After anxiously waiting in the parents waiting room for quite some time, DD finally reappeared. She passed her test AND she knocked over the cone on the 90 degree backing. Apparently the tester took pity on her and didn't mark off for it because of the bad weather. The roads were slippery and he chalked it up to that. I was rather stunned that she could pass. Thankfully her driving skills have improved greatly! I guess the lesson she learned was to take the test when the weather is bad.

[Stephanie P.]

Sorry to hear that DD failed - I hope it goes better the next time!

Stephanie

[joyjoy]

Good Lord. What an ordeal. I feel for ya, Dawn. My kid had no trouble getting her license, as in Texas the testing is done WHILE YOU LEARN. That's so crazy, no? As soon as you finish driving school and turn sixteen you just go to DPS and pick up your license. Let me add that Jordie has had 3 major accidents in 2 years. One sent her to the emergency room and totaled her car. So I'm all for tougher testing. Good luck. Sucks that you have to drive her to work, though. Ugh.