Wednesday, May 28, 2014

danger !


I encountered this old sign on that local industry tour I took in March.  Today, the "X" indicates a dangerous intersection where you have to yield the right of way.  Yes, I'm still studying for my French driver's licence and I hope the signs of today don't look like this when I get it.

15 comments:

  1. I got my license back in 2005. I used CDrom tests to practice at home and it really helped. Are you doing that?

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    1. It is such a long story. First I subscribed to an online series of tests (for which I paid a subscription) which has helped, but now I am enrolled in an official auto école. It has an online series of tests but no instruction ! Thus, to learn, one takes the tests and reverse-engineers the instruction. C'est bizarre.

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    2. I think that's the way they all work. My classes at the auto-ecole were just practice tests. After the test, the instructor went over all the answers and answered questions if we had them. Like, "why?" lol. I passed my test the first time without any trouble (but there was some stress). Good luck!

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  2. This is an OLD country, Stuart! When I first arrived in France in 1975, I simply swapped my Australian licence for a French licence - and we drive on the left-hand side in Australia. I'm glad I didn't have to sit for one of those tests.

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    1. My guess is that most people with a French licence more than 20 years old would not be able to pass the simulated tests I have been taking. I am a former engineer and I am studying my brains out and still cannot reach the success rate that is required by the official exam. And unfortunately, the last state we lived in does not have reciprocity with France. The fact that all of the states in the US have reciprocity with all the others, of course does not matter. Don't get me (any more) started on this subject !

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    2. How many wrong answers are you allowed now?

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    3. You have to get 35 out or 40 and there's a short time limit in which to answer. Further, a single item can have 1, 2, or 3 correct answers (and in my sample questions, most of them do). You must get all of them right or the whole item is considered wrong.

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  3. you find the best signs and good luck with your testing!

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    1. It will take more than luck. I'm looking for divine intervention.

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  4. Good luck regardless!

    I like the pattern of the ivy vines on the wall, just waiting to leaf out.

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  5. Thanks, William. Yeah, the ivy did make for some interesting patterns.

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  6. I can feel your frustration. Normally I like the idea of making these exams harder - but obviously not for everyone :)

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    1. I don't mind difficulty so much, what I mind is when it appears there is an attempt to trick you.

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  7. Looks really old this one Stuart, do you think the background was all red at some point ? Did you drive when you were in the States? Can it be so different in France? For me absolutely YES, because I'd have to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road :)

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    1. It probably had a red border all the way around. Oh I've only been driving in the States for 50 years. The process of getting a license is quite different in France. In the States, when I got mine and I think still today, it's not all that complicated or challenging. In France, you have to go to a private driving school and spend lots of time and money. And finally it would appear that the non-driving test in France is significantly more difficult. I've heard most people don't pass it the first time. I will have to write a book about my experience if I survive it here.

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