History Main / DrivingTest

* In ''VideoGame/GranTurismo'', you have to take driving tests before you're given a chance to purchase the coolest cars in the game or participate in the the highest-paying races (the first game wouldn't let you race ''at all'' in simulation mode without at least a B license), and this game is all about CoolCars. The driving tests were as realistic as they could be in [=PS1=] hardware. Cue joy from driving enthusiasts, [[ItsHardSoItSucks frustration from the majority of '90s kids]], and [[IKnowMortalKombat the making of a future generation of real-life racers]].

%%* Film/{{Clueless}}

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* In ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'' episode "Driving Miss Hazy", Lincoln decides to help Leni get her driver license after getting tired of having to beg Lori for rides. Given that Leni has failed her driving test 13 times and can't even drive the lawnmower, Lincoln has to resort to "speaking Leni" in order to teach her.

* In ''VideoGame/GranTurismo'', you have to take driving tests before you're given a chance to purchase the coolest cars in the game or participate in the the highest-paying races (the first game wouldn't let you race ''at all'' in simulation mode without at least a B license), and this game is all about the CoolCar. The driving tests were as realistic as they could be in [=PS1=] hardware. Cue joy from driving enthusiasts, [[ItsHardSoItSucks frustration from the majority of '90s kids]], and [[IKnowMortalKombat the making of future generation of racers]].

A character has to get a driving license or get one renewed.

However, they have a difficult time with a picky driving tester who will not accept any errors and makes the character nervous. As a result, the character fails the test and is despondent. With a pep talk and some tips from friends, the character gets the gumption to retake the test.

Often, during the test, [[DrivingTestSmashers a danger occurs that forces the character to make emergency maneuvers to escape the danger]]. The character is successful and the Tester is impressed enough to give bonus points in the evaluation for successfully dealing with a dangerous situation which means the driving test was completed successfully.

In a car-driving society, getting one's driver's license is often seen as a milestone in the process of growing to adulthood. So the ComingOfAgeStory will often deal with this; there are plenty of "deeper" themes of growing to adulthood, but if the show has time to deal with the lesser ones, getting a driver's license is surely one of them. Similarly, an adult who has never gotten a license may be portrayed as a ManChild (or perhaps he has a disability making it more difficult), and, if the story is making him develop out of it, the driver's license can easily be part of this.

* Parodied in ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', where Goku and Piccolo try to get licenses. Their competitive personalities result in much mayhem. The fact that they can (and do) fly anywhere too far to walk means neither has even the slightest concept of how to drive in the first place.
* Subverted in the ''Manga/YoureUnderArrest'' manga. Natsumi (an utterly reckless driver) already has a motorcycle license, but not a car license. Upon deciding to obtain one she's eventually required to take a driving test. Her driving is so utterly reckless that the tester passes out almost immediately and doesn't wake up until Natsumi parks back in the lot. She passed.
* In season 2 of ''[[Anime/Anime/{{Aggretsuko}}]]'' Retsuko takes a driving class, as an adult, she's actually good at it but there she meets Tadano, who doesn't really care that much.

* In season 2 of ''[[Anime/AggressiveRetsuko Aggretsuko]]'' Retsuko takes a driving class, as an adult, she's actually good at it but there she meets Tadano, who doesn't really care that much.

%%* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh''

* Film/{{Clueless}}.

* Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Discworld/{{Pyramids}}'' showed the Assassins' Guild School final exam - here "driving" is replaced with "killing someone for money and getting away with it". It is presented as a close pastiche of a driving test, though, with a verbal section that includes questions on "stopping distances" (of a thrown knife) and identifying signs (the hidden marks used by thieves and rogues to warn of noisy dogs and similar), and a practical section that includes the Emergency Drop[[note]]The UK driving test includes an Emergency Stop.[[/note]]
** Though in a driving test it isn't rumoured to be an immediate pass to kill the examiner. If you try and fail, there will be a loss of privileges. [[spoiler:Breathing to start with.]]
** Also notable because the protagonist decides to fail, [[spoiler:shoots his crossbow wildly, and hits the target. [[SpringtimeForHitler He passes]] but the examiner criticises the "modern flashy techniques".]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* ''Series/OutOfThisWorld'': One episode revolves around Evie trying to get her driver's license; she cheats via her powers when it comes to parallel parking, and subsequently has an accident and knocks the bumper off the car when she tries to parallel park ''without'' using her powers.

* Subverted often in ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'', where Spongebob tries (and fails) to get his Boat Driving License every few episodes. He always fails because he panics and smashes the gas pedal down '''hard''', ramming the boat into a brick wall at top speed. Every. Single. Time. Always accompanied by Mrs. Puff, who administers his test, blowing up into huge size.

%%* ''Series/MamasFamily'', in the episode "Mama Learns to Drive".

* The ComicBook/MarvelAdventures version of SpiderMan has to take a driving test in one issue. He does very well - the SpiderSense apparently does wonders on the road - until a villain attacks, and he has to "panic" to get away so he can put on his suit and fight. Naturally, he fails. In a mild subversion, he doesn't retake and doesn't actually mind all that much (probably because he lives in New York City).

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'' (with his sister Judy)

* In ''[[comicBook/RobinSeries Robin]]'' Tim is surprised to learn his friend Ives had turned sixteen, taken his driver's test and gotten his license since he last saw him, (Tim is notoriously bad at keeping track of birthdays). Then once he gets in the car and he and Ives start driving over to Gotham's Chinatown to hang out he quickly becomes loudly incredulous that Ives actually passed his test since Ives is heavy on the brakes and refuses to go over [=20mph=].

* Parodied in ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', where Goku and Piccolo try to get licenses. Their competitive personalities result in much mayhem.

* Subverted in the ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'' episode "Driving Mr. Boondy". Al has to take a driving test and discovers that his son, Bud, will be administering the test. Al passes by threatening Bud.
** Same episode, airhead daughter Kelly has no problem passing her test.
* ''Series/MamasFamily'', in the episode "Mama Learns to Drive".
* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh''
* Spoofed in ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'' when Reese, annoyed that his driving instructor did not give him any time to take his driving test, usurps the driving seat from the other girl so he could at least drive back to the DMV. Suddenly, a lady accidentally bumps into the car. Reese, panicking (thinking he messed up), drives off and eventually gets involved in a low speed chase with several police cars. You ''have to'' watch the whole episode just to know how hilarious it is.
** Not to mention that the chase ends when Reese returns to the driving school and completes the course PERFECTLY. He even [[ParallelParking parallel parks]] in his time behind the wheel, prompting a cop watching the chase at Malcolm's home to remark "That's impressive!"