DMV’s Licensing Test Driving Readers Mad
Something must be wrong with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, according to dozens of motorists who have written about the regulatory agency’s written test for driver’s license applicants.
The DMV issues failing grades to more than half the drivers who take its written test. Now, those subjects of the agency’s actions have given their own pointed evaluation of the DMV test, in response to my recent two-part series looking at problems with the test (Highway 1, Feb. 25 and March 4).
In general, motorists think the test is poorly written, fails to adhere to the DMV handbook, is improperly graded, insults senior citizens and is not a valid measure of driving ability.
The state last year changed the tests so that more people pass, by going from a four-answer multiple-choice format to a three-answer format. DMV officials say they are not dumbing-down the test, but readers of this column say that is regrettably what is happening. Interestingly, they do not want an easy test.
I wish I could print in full every letter, but I have extracted a sampling of the opinions that have flooded into the newspaper by e-mail and U.S. mail.
“We had hoped California would lead the nation by making their driving tests more difficult, but alas we are going to make it even easier. Let’s dumb-down everything,” wrote Pat and Charlene McGinnis.
“In reviewing my wife’s test, I found at least three questions for which there was no information in the book of regulations provided to potential test takers. Some real digging into these tests is necessary,” wrote Charles G. Voekler.
The next letter strikes at the heart of the DMV philosophy that reading comprehension should not weigh against individuals taking the test:
“I recently arrived in L.A. and took the test and passed it right away,” wrote Jun Ortega. “I don’t think it was a hard exam; in fact, it was easy. I feel comprehension should be a factor. If a certain person cannot comprehend traffic signs and road markings, then he or she will drive the way they want to regardless of how they understand those signs.”
An e-mail from a person signed only Eaton remarked: “Certainly, you must be aware of the stupidity and irrelevancy of some of the questions on the exams. I have to believe the DMV exams were developed by non-car owners.”
Steve Davy, a new California resident from Britain, gives the test failing marks on literacy.
“As you rightly surmised, the high rate of failure here is not due to stupidity among drivers,” Davy wrote. “I found the test itself to be incredibly badly written. And I am a copy editor of many years’ experience, so I know what I’m talking about. I believe the handbook is also to blame for the failure rate. It is completely overwritten and should be pared down to about half its current size.”
Jerome R. Weiss passed the DMV’s test but is unhappy nonetheless. His letter was prompted by question No. 12, in which test takers are supposed to correctly answer that parking is not permitted in “a space marked with a crosshatch pattern.” Weiss notes that no-parking zones are marked by diagonal lines, not a crosshatch.
Earlier this week, DMV spokesman Evan Nossoff said the agency will change the question.
“We appreciate the feedback and will make the appropriate correction,” he said.
Additional comments can be sent to DMV at Publishing Online Information Branch, Mail Stop C266, California Department of Motor Vehicles, 5415 1st Ave., Sacramento, CA 95818.
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Ralph Vartabedian cannot answer mail personally but will attempt to respond in this column to automotive questions of general interest. Write to Your Wheels, Business Section, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA 90053. E-mail: ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com.
