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Was he honest? Was he fair?

I took a driver's test last year to get my drivers license back from the California DMV. I had had my license taken away from me (not a suspension) because I was driving recklessly due to a sudden onset of a severe illness involving an antibiotic resistent infection.

I was driving to an emergency doctor appointment to get a new antibiotic prescribed--a bad mistake, as it turned out. I should have taken a cab. It hit me suddenly, fevered hallucinations, and fortunately, the Highway Patrol stopped me and took me to a hospital. No drugs or alcohol were involved.

Since I am older, getting my license returned was very difficult. They make you go to a special office in a small beach town miles from anywhere, not within miles of any bus or public transportation, only open for short hours midday weekdays, and since you cannot legally drive, getting there and back can be a major problem.

Also, they give you a series of tests designed to weed out the old and infirm, and they go to some lengths, both legal and illegal, to make it tough to pass them. For instance, the regular 25 question written test becomes a 50 question test, and the eye chart test is given in very dim lighting, unlike at the DMV. They have a very intimidating hearing in which they interrogate you as if you were a defendent in a courtroom.

I passed the tests, all of them, and the hearing, with 100%. By the time I did this, I was well and alert, my medical problems solved (had to have two doctors, a psychiatrist and a psychologist sign papers).

Finally, I was told I would have to take an on the road driving test.

When I got to the DMV, I asked the man who tested me, "Is this test going to be like the regular driving test, or is it going to be like the other tests I had to take, designed to be twice as hard to pass?"

He said, "Oh, no! It's the exact same test we give to everyone who attempts to get a drivers license."

I was very relieved. I had always scored very high on driver road tests in the past. I got my first license in 1960 and I have a near perfect driving record.

I took the test. I passed...but with a rather low score (for me). When I questioned that, and seeing from his score sheet that I had not made any major errors, he told me that they score these kind of tests (for people returning to the road after illness) by taking off TWICE as many points for mistakes!

He said he told me the truth because I had asked him if the TEST was the same as the regular test; the TEST [i]was[/i] the same but the SCORING system was not.

I think he essentially lied to me or misled me. But, technically, what he stated was the truth.
SW-User
At your situation it must be very hard. I know even if you must have scored good. The test people who consider you old enough to drive. :/
SW-User
@greenmountaingal I am not talking about you, I am talking about the people who take test. Some people are judegemental.
greenmountaingal · 70-79, F
@SW-User Apparently, they score these kind of tests twice as hard. I felt that should have been mentioned at the start of the test. The guy who tested me was just following the DMV rules; I don't think it was him personally, though. I am not sure whether not telling me about their tough scoring system was fair. Thank you for your support.
SW-User

 
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