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ALAN J.DIXON SECRETARY OF S T A T E License Testing facility in Woodstock "It used to be that senior citizens would have trouble passing the test But now there is a senior citizens' course which anyone can at­ tend for free, to help persons pass the test." One of the problems older people used to have, which has been remedied by the free training sessions, is that they would fail the eye test. PAtiK », - PLAINDF U.FR WEDNESDAY. MARCH 2. 1977 Drivers License Tests Are... Exactly who is required to take the driver's license test0 Of course, persons who are applying for a license for the first time must pass the written, visual, and car tests. But many more people than those 16-year-olds applying for the first time are required to retake, and more importantly, repass the tests with variable frequency. Much of what determines if a person must retake the driver's test depends on two factors - age and driving record. Senior citizens. 69 years or older, must retake the com­ plete exam once every three years, which is the renewal period for driver's licenses. In addition, every person, from 16 to 116, who presently has a license, will be retested, in full, once every nine years. However, some people who just completed the full test three years ago may get a notice in the mail stating that they have to come in again, to take only the written test. This is because that person, according to the computer in Springfield, has a poor driving record. As an example a person took and passed the complete test in February, 1974 However, in the last three years, he has received five speeding tickets. That person will be required to take the written test, and pass it before being reissued a new license. "It depends a lot on your driving record." said Ed Brady, head of the Driver's "Now we actually give the eye test right at the practice sessions," Brady said "If a person needs a change of glasses, they'll be able to get it before the time comes to take the actual test." It used to be that r>0 percent of the senior citizens failed, mostly because of the vision test, and also because of ner­ vousness Now the percentage, with the training sessions, is very low. The retaking of the entire test is ̂ till very new, which explains why some people may have jnvi'iii for thirty years. There are forms to fill out just about everywhere one goes now, and the driver's license facility is no exception. Be sure to bring in the form which will be sent to you in the mail approximately one month before your present license expires. And, oh yes, don't forget to bring eight dollars, the fee for license renewal. and not have had to retake the exam yet Since the program started, everyone was assumed to have been driving for zero years, and thus everyone will have taken the exam at least once by 1979. excluding new drivers who first received their license since 1970. Thus, for senior citizens, it 's every three ybars. For other drivers, it 's once every nine years---unless of course, a person has a mediocre driving record It's just one more reason to be a safe, careful driver. The \Voodstock Driver's License Facility is located on Rt. 47. From McHenrv, take Rt. 120 west to the five-way stop with Rt. 47. Turn sharply to the left at the stop sign, and proceed approximately one mile. There is a large sign pointing out the license building w hich is on the left as you drive south on Rt. 47. The building is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However. Tuesday and Saturday are the busiest days, and it is suggested that one goes on one of the other days. you head off with a new license, and STORIES & PHOTOS BY JEFF B0NAT0 ...JVot Really THAT Bad! It really isn't THAT bad. To some people, retaking a driver's license test ranks right up there with swallowing cyanide capsules and surprise visits from meddling mothers- in-law (or fathers-in-law, as the case may be) But those people can put their mind at ease. According to Ed Brady, director of the Driver's toicense facility in Woodstock. "Only a small portion, maybe 15 percent, fail the test the first time on the retake. " And of that 15 percent, a great majority pass the second time around. There are three phases to the test-the written test, the visual test, and the actual field (driving) test. Of the three, the visual test is the most cut-and-dry. Either a person can read the letters on the chart, or he can't. The test is similar to what an op­ tometrist gives during an eye examination. A person needs 20-40 corrected vision to pass. If one fails, it is a simple matter of going to the optometrist and getting a pair of glasses, then returning and passing the test. The written test, consisting of twenty multiple-choice questions and fifteeq signs to but I). B. B. to the above questions, study the Rules of the Road book before taking the written exam. Identifying the signs are even easier One of the questions concerns a bright red sign with eight sides Is it. A) railroad crossing! B) stop. C) yield right-of-way; D> children playing Of the total of thirty-five questions on the written test, one is allowed to miss any seven. The questions just aren't that tough, and a look at the Rules of the Road book should be enough to get you through this part of the test However, no book is going to help the careless driver get through the field test, where years of one-handed driving, rolling through stop signs, and going 5 miles over the speed limit, have to be discarded in favor of conservative, two- hands on the wheel, and 25 in a 35 mph zone driving. Still, even the field test isn't that difficult. The tester will require all the routine moves that occur during the course of a normal day of driving. Parallel parking is not a requirement, although knowing which way to turn the wheels when parking on an upgrade without a curb is (HINT upgrade with a curb, turn wheel left-all other times turn it right) But before totally panicking, consider this. On the field test, a person can forget a right turn signal^forget a left turn signal, roll through a stop sign, bump a curb, weave across the center line, and speed in excess of the posted limit, and STILL pass the test! Persons who haven't taken the driving test for several years will recall outrageous waiting lines, and two-to-three hour waits before finally get­ ting the coveted license. However, with a new system that has been recently in­ stituted, no one should expect more than a half-hour wait before getting the test com pleted That's certainly good news for those stomach-churning nervous wrecks. Even better news is <th*t. when it's all over, most evervone will agree---it really isn't THAT bad. Be sure all the signals and lights on your car are w o r k i n g b e f o r e attempting to take the driver's test. The tester will check all your lights, your signals, and your horn. Here, this examiner is subtracting points from the overall score because a taillight is out. These are points lost before even hitting the road. identify, is a lot easier than one imagines. Some sample test questions, taken from actual exams follow: • If the speed limit is 55 and you're doing 45 mph, you could be violating the law if: A) it is dark: B) you pass three cars in a row; C) you don't honk your horn; D> you're driving too fast for conditions. A driver who wishes to make a left turn must: A) flash his The vision test is similar to what occurs in an optometrist's office. Just read the letters on the chart in the viewfinder and you'll pass the test. 20-40 vision, with or without glasses is required to pass. At right, a girl works on the written portion of the driver's examination. There are thirty-five total questions and yoto're allowed to miss any seven. Immediately after the test, an examiner will go over the missed questions with you. If you fail, you can retake the exam immediately. However, you will be taking a test with different questions. So be careful! And remember, you only get three chances in a year, so be sure of yourself before charging back in and taking the test while still unprepared. At left, you PASSED! Approximately thirty minutes after entering th another nine years of relief before you have to sweat it out again! headlights to other drivers; B» give the right-of-way to others and proceed with caution: C) honk your horn; D> make the turn as quickly as possible and get out of the way. When must a driver dim his lights: A) at least 10.000 feet away; B) at least 500 feet away; C> at least 200 feet away; D) at least 400 feet away. If anyone answered anything