Anonymous wrote:If you really want to help your kids, after they're licensed sign them up for a real course. Like the Accident Avoidance course at Summit Point. It is one thing to read about emergency situations, it is quite another to be physically taught the processes and procedures.

+1

If you really want to help your kids, after they're licensed sign them up for a real course. Like the Accident Avoidance course at Summit Point. It is one thing to read about emergency situations, it is quite another to be physically taught the processes and procedures.

Anonymous wrote:We made an apppointment at the place that had the most convenient date for us. It happened to be Glen Burnie, but we certainly didn't go because the test was easier or harder!

Same here. My son took it at the earliest location within 25 miles of home. I thought the kids were full of crap about the different fail rates until I saw the data.

We made an apppointment at the place that had the most convenient date for us. It happened to be Glen Burnie, but we certainly didn't go because the test was easier or harder!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I would want my kid to take the harder test!

Unless you have to keep making appointments and going back and sitting at the DMV for hours.

I'm not making any appointments until I'm confident in their driving. My standard is higher than the MVA's. I care more about safety than where the test is easier.

Then you obviously haven't been through this yet. I know kids who failed because the windshield wiper fluid was less than half full in the car. It often has nothing to do with how well they drive.

I doubt that this happened. You can believe about 1/4 of why kids fail. They don't want to appear too stupid in the eyes of other so they make up bizarre stories. On the other hand Maryland wants to put prepared drivers on the road. What would happen in the captain of an airlines announced "this is my first flight and I don't know how to put the wheels down yet"?

Yes, it happens. However, the pretest car checklist (fluid levels, check engine, etc.) is available on the MVA website. I think it's a nice "lesson learned" to fail the test in this manner.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want my kid to take the harder test!

Unless you have to keep making appointments and going back and sitting at the DMV for hours.

I'm not making any appointments until I'm confident in their driving. My standard is higher than the MVA's. I care more about safety than where the test is easier.

Then you obviously haven't been through this yet. I know kids who failed because the windshield wiper fluid was less than half full in the car. It often has nothing to do with how well they drive.

I doubt that this happened. You can believe about 1/4 of why kids fail. They don't want to appear too stupid in the eyes of other so they make up bizarre stories. On the other hand Maryland wants to put prepared drivers on the road. What would happen in the captain of an airlines announced "this is my first flight and I don't know how to put the wheels down yet"?

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Anonymous wrote:If you need to pick a certain location to pass the driving test you probably shouldn't be on the road to begin with. Especially now that they no longer test parallel parking, which was the only real hangup for some people. Seriously...

WAIT!!! They no longer test parallel parking!! I failed my driving test twice because of trying to parallel park (i) stick shift and (ii) second time - '88 Bonneville. Good times...

It's a rite of passage to have to do parallel parking - like taking the bar and passing the Boards...if I have to do it these young whippersnappers should have to do it.... [jk]

I remember that being the most stressful part of the test. Funny, I haven't parallel parked in years - guess I don't go to Baltimore or DC that often anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want my kid to take the harder test!

Unless you have to keep making appointments and going back and sitting at the DMV for hours.

I'm not making any appointments until I'm confident in their driving. My standard is higher than the MVA's. I care more about safety than where the test is easier.

Then you obviously haven't been through this yet. I know kids who failed because the windshield wiper fluid was less than half full in the car. It often has nothing to do with how well they drive.

Than make sure the windshield wiper fluid is full before going. I'm in agreement with others, do you really want your kids to pass the easiest driving test. It's not only your kids safety that we are talking about, it's everyone elses on the road. People are so careful about putting babies in carseats, using booster seats, using seatbelts. How is ensuring a teen driver is held to very tough and high standards before being on the road any different? I don't care how many trips or how much sitting it takes, is that really more important than your childs safety and preparation?

Anonymous wrote:If you need to pick a certain location to pass the driving test you probably shouldn't be on the road to begin with. Especially now that they no longer test parallel parking, which was the only real hangup for some people. Seriously...

WAIT!!! They no longer test parallel parking!! I failed my driving test twice because of trying to parallel park (i) stick shift and (ii) second time - '88 Bonneville. Good times...

It's a rite of passage to have to do parallel parking - like taking the bar and passing the Boards...if I have to do it these young whippersnappers should have to do it.... [jk]

Anonymous wrote:We went to Frederick. My reasoning is that it is less stressful because there is less traffic around you on the road. It's not an easier course; it's just easier to focus than it would be if you were driving around Gaithersburg or Beltsville.

Are they going to be driving around Frederick every day?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would want my kid to take the harder test!

Unless you have to keep making appointments and going back and sitting at the DMV for hours.

I'm not making any appointments until I'm confident in their driving. My standard is higher than the MVA's. I care more about safety than where the test is easier.

Then you obviously haven't been through this yet. I know kids who failed because the windshield wiper fluid was less than half full in the car. It often has nothing to do with how well they drive.

Anonymous wrote:Based on the way Maryland drivers drive, I just assumed they didn't have to pass a driver's test.

Nope, they haven't decided to follow VA guidelines yet.

We went to Frederick. My reasoning is that it is less stressful because there is less traffic around you on the road. It's not an easier course; it's just easier to focus than it would be if you were driving around Gaithersburg or Beltsville.

Anonymous wrote:If you need to pick a certain location to pass the driving test you probably shouldn't be on the road to begin with. Especially now that they no longer test parallel parking, which was the only real hangup for some people. Seriously...

Exactly. Also, this is your kid's safety. If they can't drive then they shouldn't be on the road.