DMV Employs Driving Examiners, Certifies Instructors
Dear Street Smart:
What are the qualifications you must meet to become a driving instructor at the Department of Motor Vehicles?
David Goulding, Loara High School, Anaheim
The DMV has driving examiners but not driving instructors. Examiners are the people who say yea or nay to issuing a license after watching someone drive. To become an examiner, applicants must score at least 70% on a written test about driving rules.
The test is usually given once every two years, according to DMV spokeswoman Gina McGuiness. About 10,000 to 15,000 people took it last time, and there are presently an estimated 6,200 examiners, she said.
To take the test, applicants must have:
* Two years’ experience working with the public, or
* Two years’ college education, or
* One or two years’ experience with the DMV, depending on the type of job.
Jobs are offered to the highest-scoring applicants. Candidates must also pass a medical examination, have a questionnaire about their personal history approved and possess a valid California Drivers License.
The next DMV test will be given in August, but forget about taking it if you haven’t already applied. The filing date closed April 16.
While the DMV does not have driving instructors, it does certify instructors who work for private schools. These instructors must:
* Have a high school education or equivalent.
* Pass both an approved course on teaching drivers and a DMV instructors examination.
* Be physically fit and over 18 years of age.
* Possess a valid license and not be on probation as a negligent driver.
* Have no outstanding traffic citations.
* Be employed by driving school.
Dear Street Smart:
Recently, I was driving in the middle lane of the Santa Ana Freeway at about 7:30 p.m. in excess of 65 m.p.h. A big rig pulled up behind me and flashed his lights for me to yield the lane to him. Since it was possible for him to pass me in the outside lane, I did not yield.
Other than driving in excess of 65 m.p.h., what did I do wrong?
Don Leeper, Buena Park
Technically, CHP spokesman Ken Daily agrees that speeding was the only law you were breaking. But the smart move would have been to let that truck driver do whatever he wanted.
“Avoid conflict. You don’t win any wars with an 18-wheeler,” Daily said.
That’s not to say that those with larger vehicles should get to rule the road. But it is a warning that the roads are unpredictable, and if someone is insisting on getting around you, it may be better to yield than to stand your ground. That’s especially so if they can easily smash your vehicle.
After all, Daily pointed out, you have no idea if the driver has been drinking or is on drugs. In either case, failure to yield could be a deadly mistake.
Legally, large trucks are bound to stay in the right lane on a three-lane highway, except when passing, Daily said. They must pass within one-quarter mile. On a four-lane or larger highway, they may use the right two lanes.
Dear Street Smart:
As a member of a large triathlon club based in Irvine, I frequently ride through Santiago Canyon between El Toro Road and Jamboree Road. I know I speak for most cyclists in the area who enjoy the beautiful scenery and the outstanding condition of the roadway but are faced with one significant problem: debris in the bike lane.
Would it be possible for the county road crews or Caltrans to periodically run a street sweeper along that stretch of road, which is heavily traveled by cyclists? Due to topography of the area, bicyclists routinely reach speeds approaching 40 m.p.h. Needless to say, striking debris at this speed is potentially fatal.
Capt. William J. Wainwright, Irvine
Presently, the county sweeps that stretch 13 times a year--once a month and an additional sweep, according to Rick Schooley, who oversees the county’s street sweeping contracts. Until now, that seemed to be enough, he said.
“I have not seen any complaints relative to the bike trail being dirty,” Schooley said.
Additionally, jail crews are frequently out to clear debris that may have dropped from vehicles heading to the nearby landfill.
But in response to your complaint, Schooley will have an inspector keep a close eye on the road for the next month and see if more needs to be done.
“We’ll look at it, monitor it, and see what we come up with. We want to maintain it safe,” he said.
