Evening star., 1946-08-24
One in Six Fails in First Try
For Drivers License Here

Tightening OF requirements may
change the odds, but one first-try
failure in six has been the average
among applicants for motor vehicle
operators permits here.
The applicant who "funks" may
offer the examiner a plea of nerv-
BUSINESS and protest that he really
knows the regulations and is a COM
petent driver. Or. he may humble
bitterly about "red tape" and ask
to see the manager-that would be
Traffic Director George E. Keneipp.
He'd fare better, however, if he'd
accept the examiners invitation to
try again-a new written examina-
tion the next day or a new road
test In three days.
According to Mr.. Keneipp, safety
experts have rated the Capitals ex-
animation system among the 10 best
in the Naticn-and recent changes
should improve the ranking. These
include special questions for appli-
cants under 81 concerning stopping
time and the estimating of dis
tance, requirement of parking
within limited space as part of the
road test and an expanded set of
questions bearing upon physical fit-
ness Of the applicant.
600 Tests in July.
Six persons customarily are en-
gagged in giving the tests. Last
month, they administered 5000 ex-
aminations, passing 5,133 and re-
jecting 1,067. The load was about
twice that of July, 1945.
Young people usually study the
regulations with reasonable thor
oughness-they are accustomed to
studying. But some youngsters are
inclined to put on a show" for the
examiner when they step outside to
demonstrate their driving prowess.
Selective study is resorted to by
some applicants, discouraged by
thickness Of the traffic regulation
booklet.
But I memorized all those num-
bers IN the book and you didn't
ask me about them!"
An applicant who protested thus
recently had concentrated on such
matters as permitted parking dis
tance from fire plug but had
neglected important rules concern
ing right-of-way about which he
was queried in the examination.
But don't need these glasses
when drive they're just for read
ing"
Probably very true. However, the
examiner, If doubtful, could require
medical certificate supporting
the applicants statement.
Rules, Road and Eye Tests.
The complete examination con-
sists Of the written test on rules,
the road test and a simple eve test
using the familiar letter chart.
Mr.. Keneipp now is considering a
program which would provide for
new eye examinations of all drivers
every six years. The Star stated
erroneously yesterday that was was
studying the practicability of giving
such tests every six months.
The test routine Is an old story
to many applicants, because they
hold permits Of other Jurisdictions.
They are not required to take a
new road test here. Some have
taken examinations in States using
special devices to check perception
and reaction time.
It's new experience for those
from Louisiana, South Dakota and
wyoming, however. These States
require no permits for the opera
ton of motor vehicles.
The Board of Revocation and
Restoration may suspend or revoke
a permit under certain conditions.
It's work load has been increased
by q recent change in the regula-
tions calling for suspensions when
drivers travel at speeds in excess
of 80 miles per hour.
About IS drivers a day, exclusive
of cabmen. were cited to appear
during July at hearings held or