The 8Asians Talk About: Driving Tests at the DMV

Our internal e-mail lists have us discussing all kinds of stuff: Asian American identity, representation in the media, the experiences of activism in an academia setting and its progression as we transition to the working, adult world. And sometimes, we talk about driving tests at the DMV.

Inspired by a local news article about “Scary Larry” Chan retiring from the Pleasanton, California DMV after terrorizing tens of thousands teenagers and newly American immigrants from possibly withholding their gift of driving an automobile, what is essentially the most American of freedoms. (What did you think I was going to say, “voting?” Fuck that.)  See which one of us passed our courses the first time, and see who is still reeling from the scars of their traumatic experiences at the Department of Motor Vehicles after the jump!

Ernie: Okay guys: how many times did it take you guys to pass your DMV test? I’ll be honest: I failed my first time by freaking out so badly a ran a yield sign. I was devastated.

Ben: Passed the first time.

Jeff: Me too. Yay for first timers!

Joz: I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.

Akrypti: I failed the first 2 times I took it and the 3rd time, after I passed, I was so excited my father agreed to take me to the DMV right away to get my license (or something like that), so we went to the DMV right after my driving test, had to parallel park, and I rammed into the car in front of me and got into my first car accident. In front of the DMV building. Right after I passed my driver’s test. Please do not stereotype all Asian women just because of me.

Efren: I failed twice mainly because my dad had taught me everything except how to change lanes correctly. Once my dad realized that I needed to do that correctly, I finally passed. On the second time I took the exam (Santa Clara DMV), and there was a Vietnamese guy who I think was probably their version of Scary Larry, b/c he was known for failing a lot of people, particularly Asian. I failed within a minute of leaving the DMV.

Mike L: Passed the first time. My Dad was a real strict instructor, even though I took driving lessons too.

Ernie: TIGER DRIVING INSTRUCTOR!!!

Mike L: He was all like, “Tire touch curb? Ten more hour of practice. No dinner until supper.”

Did you pass your DMV tests with flying colors? Let us know in the comments!

(Flickr photo credit: chad magiera)