AMG Mercedes S65 Coupe and Sedan Fleurons Test Drive CA (German)
My 16th birthday fell on a Sunday, I had to wait a whole day to complete my examination of drivers in the beautiful state of California waiting has never been one of my strengths.
It was a close call, but I am convinced that the examiner driving just released this way to instill a sense of fear probably not a bad thing in regard to the age of 16, moving from one metal solid piece close to other humans.
After that stressful day in 1996, I would have thought I would have to repeat the entire scenario 11 years later with sweaty palms and a racing heart Americans are known for many things abroad, as every expat learns very quickly, but strict driving tests are not one of them at least not in Germany the country with the most ruthless driving examiners, the most free highways, the most well-made cars all Recent scandals aside, and the most fun Fahrvergnügen literally drive when them.
As a newcomer to this country, you are allowed to take part in this Fahrvergnügen exactly six months after your arrival on the first day of the seventh month every driving skill you brought with you or even collected during your experiment the world's only true Autobahn suddenly evaporates into the air and your license is no longer valid.
Those who prefer not to put their fate transportation to the strike train service should love a trip to the driving license authorities for their now invalid foreign license converted into a German official.
For US licenses, it must be said that all 50 states are created equal in the eyes of the German authorities If you have a license from the state to the right, you can go directly to local authorities, pay the necessary fees, and out with your German document.
If you are unfortunate enough to come from a poor state, you are treated like any other German teenager and are required to pay thousands of euros to complete hours of driving theory and practical training before taking the German review The rest of the Germany can say three Hail Marys that you do not want t cause major damage during your grace period of six months.
California falls into the third category Its climate, beaches, girls Baywatch, mountains, wine and movie stars may be the dream of many Germans but in terms of driving skills, Californians are apparently poor at best, the reason I was asked to pass the German driving test I have not had to meet the other requirements for new drivers a number of hours in the classroom and behind the wheel with an instructor that I have having to take the test in any way I could.
Since I did not want to screw this thing, I studied the books I hired a driving instructor and I realized that I d underestimated not only what it takes to drive in this country, but also the German logic both don t always go together.
These three things defy logic and make driving in Germany a challenge for all those who think they do not need to go to a German driving school.
There are more different signs for the right of way that you can count at each intersection, you experience a different and require a second decision Keep full speed ahead or yield to the car on the right of Germans have so many different panels signaling that they even have a word for it Schilderwald forest sign.
Very few, they still use stop signs instead of stopping at a four-way intersection, you should look for the right of way signs, determine if it applies to you, register if other vehicles can come nigh guess what they will do half a second, and press breaking or sound much gas as both the reason he's just trying to keep driving and hope the car on your right you sees in time to yield.
In theory it's a good idea not to pass on the left when driving at high speed on the highway, but in practice, it's always swerving granny who insists on driving hours 120 km into the left lane When you the race behind her to 200 kmh and must slam on your breaks because it can lead t and look in the rearview mirror at the same time, things can get dangerous, especially if the dozen Porsches are also behind you 200.
As a beginner the second time, I am certainly grandma more often than the Porsche, except I constantly had one eye on the mirror so I can jump into the middle lane when a speeder approached me to But behind this middle way was not always been available, which led to some stressful situations early.
Of course, passing on both American-style sides can be dangerous, too, but that is better than slamming the Granny bumper to the speed of sound The alternative would be to introduce a speed limit on all sections Autobahn, not just a few, as the case now, but even if the freedom of unlimited speed is rare that foreigners think in Germany, the Germans cling to as if it were a constitutional right we as Americans can relate to that.
In most German cities, streets were created centuries before cars were invented Carriages were probably larger than your average Audi or VW, so you'd think that the streets are wide enough for two cars to cross But, alas, in residential areas, they usually aren t This is exacerbated by the fact that, unlike horses, cars are parked on the street regardless of the constriction effect that has.
Germans can be well used to, but for American drivers he's nightmare of having to constantly pull up on the sidewalk to let other cars pass to the left often the other driver has a very different perception of the breadth of its own car you do not let's say that you could make a pretty penny if you started a mirror repair company suddenly that smart looks more attractive than the SUV you always wanted.
After twice behind-hour wheel I had budgeted and countless hours with books, I passed the German driving test It was a close call but again, I have my theory what my driving instructor was in the front seat, the examiner in the back, and the instructor saved me with some secret hand signals back to the office of the city, I went to claim my prize to my regret the administrator asked me to give up my California license for him.
But you can have two licenses valid t the same time, he countered.
If my license was valid in California, I would not t sit here, I replied.
Kate Müser who grew up in Pleasanton, California, was surprised to discover that she feels even closer to its original state now that she did when she moved to Bonn, Germany, there are more 13.
She is the creator of the YouTube series thoseGermans success and the series of portraits Germany24 Visit Kate YouTube channel and website.
For over a decade, Kate was a TV, radio and online journalist Deutsche Welle, where she currently hosts the video series Meet the Germans with Kate and PopXport TV show.
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How to drive a car in Germany CaliforniaGermans, player, Germany, German driving test.