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Message started by Paladin on 11/20/04 at 10:17:02

Title: Today I am Legal!
Post by Paladin on 11/20/04 at 10:17:02

August 15th, 2004: Became the owner of a used 2000 Savage. (http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/000640.html)
September 23rd, 25th, 30th, and October 2nd: MSF basic rider course. Passed perfect.
October 8th: MSF certificate arrives in mail.
October 12th: California DMV, Torrance - pass the written, waive the driving, fail the vision.

I had eye surgery in or around 1974 and I cannot read with my left eye. My peripheral is excellent -- I can see light/movement nearly 180 degrees -- probably helped by the 10 degree outward drift of my now lazy left eye.

Anyhow, I had to get a waiver signed by my eye doctor. He did. But when I took it back it wasn't good enough so I had to schedule a Vision Driving Test. Which I did, for 8am today down in San Pedro. Office opened at 8am, I was second in line for the 8am appointments. The gentleman at the counter queried me -- yes, I've been driving like this for 30 years, yes the DMV has waived me every renewal, yes I work for Pacific Bell and drive on the job (and thus take bi-annual referesher driver safety courses and pass much more strigent requirements and testing than the DMV.)

Ended up I did not need the test (why waste both of our time!) and I am now the holder of a Class C and M1 license.

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Michael on 11/20/04 at 11:18:17

Paladin

Well done!! Feels good doesn't it?

cheers....Michael

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by gitarzan on 11/20/04 at 13:58:19

Congrats! :)

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by sunny on 11/22/04 at 12:43:47

paladin, YAY!

and gitarzan i am stealing your sig gif.

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Susan on 11/22/04 at 13:50:42

Congratulations! :D :D :D

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Tony on 11/23/04 at 05:14:23

Congradulations! ;D

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Diane on 11/23/04 at 06:28:31

Wow you really had to jump through some hoops to get that license. Congratulations! Now you should go celebrate by doing a little riding, then some more riding and next maybe ride a little more. And think of me while you are out there on the road. It has done nothing but rain here for the last 2 weeks. I guess thats what I get for "razzing" the others who have to put their bikes up for the winter. :(

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Paladin on 11/23/04 at 09:14:14

Big hoops. BUT.... I maintained my record of never having a driver license road test. ;D (Licensed since 1962.)

I've only missed a day or two riding since I got the bike. Last night I went to check out a shop that Wendy spotted for a Christmas present -- 12 miles round trip. Would have cost $3.60 in gasoline in the Camaro. Gas cost on the Savage was $0.44. Savings like that add up quick, and allows me run around more without too much guilt.

It is starting to get cold here -- dropping below 50 at night ::). I think of all of my friends here while riding.

While our friends to the north may stop riding for a few months they *do* get the time to do project work such as changing out a rear fender with all the associated accessory moves. The only way I could do that would be to get a second bike (which will have to wait until the VW is out of the garage and back on the road.)

Thanks everyone, it does feel good being legal.

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by PerrydaSavage on 11/23/04 at 14:29:59

8)Congrats on your licence man ... you've earned it for sure! Wow, your vision "issues" seem remarkably similar to my own ... have more or less monocular vision due to botched surgery when I was 7 to correct left lazy eye ... when taking the vision test for my m/c endorsement, I had to "cheat" a little in order to pass the test!
'Grats again man and Ride Safe!

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Greg_650 on 11/27/04 at 02:56:24

Those eye tests are a hassle aren't they? I must wear glasses to pass them anymore.

The biggest problem with the whole thing is that some people with perfect vision can't pass a mental test but get to drive anyway 8)

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Paladin on 11/27/04 at 09:24:18

In California, by law, you have to be able to read English to drive. The tests are available in many languages and you can use a translator to speak to the testers. I tried to look up the law that required me to see out of both eyes and could not. The law requires that a person be denied a license if his/her vision is worse than 20/200 corrected in the best eye.

It was simply bureaucratic hassling with no basis in law -- from people who ignore the law to allow others to drive who cannot read road signs.

I will not ride a bike if I am a danger -- a bike provides very little crash protection. I recomend against a bike for anyone who has not driven five years accident free.

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Michael on 11/28/04 at 03:53:09

Greg_650 wrote:

Couldn't have said it any better myself!!

Title: Re: Today I am Legal!
Post by Greg_650 on 12/01/04 at 04:06:46

Michael wrote:

Couldn't have said it any better myself!!

All you have to do is sit at the license office for 15 minutes to see that truth in action.