The Most Spectacular Failures in Driving Tests

I had a student who was not doing a driving test but was doing a dr. familiarization and sign-off for a 23-meter B-train. He had driven only 20-meter B-trains and 18-meter semis before. We went to a local supermarket to unload the B-train, which required straightening and reversing about 60 meters into their unloading zone.

After 20 minutes of struggling to get the B-train straight, he let the clutch out, floored the accelerator in reverse, and double-jack knifed the unit. He then swore at me and walked away. Fearing his actions, I straightened the B-train, got it unloaded, and called a tow truck because the tractor had a bent chassis.

Another failure involved a student who pulled out of the exam station directly into the path of a pickup, badly injuring the driver examiner and destroying her car. This incident only highlights the dangerous consequences of failing to follow test procedures properly.

A Shocking Example of a Stunning Failure

There was also a particularly shocking incident where a friend of mine failed his motorcycle test by running over the examiner. The simplicity of this failure underscores the gravity of the situation, as the test required controlled and safe operations which he clearly lacked.

The Most Spectacular Successes in Driving Tests

From a historical perspective, when Nevada required a motorcycle endorsement on a driver's license, the matter became particularly dramatic. In the 1970s, a young woman who had her motorcycle test, consisting of a few laps around a parking lot and a few figure eights around a pair of cones, came to the scene wearing shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops. She borrowed a helmet that didn't fit from another rider.

While negotiating the cones, she dropped the borrowed motorcycle twice. Despite her numerous failures, she managed to get the bike back upright with some help from other riders. Surprisingly, she passed the exam, proving that a little bit of luck can go a long way in defying expectations.

A Portent of Excellence

One of the most intriguing instances involves a particularly skilled student. This student was trained in operating CDL drivers in tractor-trailers/semis and did exceptionally well during the test. The driving portion of the test usually takes about 45 minutes, following a specific route with five iterations.

For example, the student had to handle several scenarios, including four right-hand intersection turns, four stop intersections, and an “emergency roadside stop.” The emergency roadside stop required the student to:

Check mirrors for surrounding traffic Select a location to pull off - usually the right shoulder Select the correct turn signal Downshift and/or brake smoothly to a full stop Turn off the signal and turn on the hazard flashers Set the brakes Place the transmission in neutral Check mirrors for traffic Continue on while abiding by the test procedures

Despite this rigid structured test, the student’s performance was flawless. Once, during an “emergency roadside stop,” the student placed the transmission into the correct position but forgot to place the range selector in low range. He stalled the engine, and despite two attempts, he retained no demerits.

The One Button Mishap

However, the most astonishing part was a momentary misjudgment that ultimately affected the outcome. During another instance where the student successfully completed his test with a perfect grade, an automatic failure occurred due to one critical mistake.

During the final segment of the test, the examiner said, "Please come to a safe stop as quickly as you safely can.” The student executed the procedure flawlessly until he placed the transmission shift lever into the correct position without selecting low range. As he let the clutch out, the engine stalled. Although this error cost him one point, he recovered by restarting the engine and putting the shift lever back into the correct position.

Frustration mounted when he looked over at me and asked, "WTF is wrong with this truck!” In a dramatized maneuver that would likely be a moment of horror for most students, the evaluator casually reset the gear shift into neutral, placed the button back into position, and said, "Nothing!" However, this series of events caused the examiner to intervene, leading to an automatic failure.

Despite this setback, the student came back a week later and passed with a high grade. The new examiner noted that he had completed the “emergency roadside stop” perfectly.

In conclusion, both spectacular failures and successes in driving tests can serve as valuable lessons. These experiences underscore the importance of procedural adherence and the potential for a single simple mistake to cause significant consequences. Whether as a test candidate or an examiner, knowing these nuances can make all the difference.