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Troopers No Longer Giving Driver's Tests

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Posted by: kwflatbed

Troopers No Longer Giving Driver's Tests

Joe Shortsleeve
Reporting

(WBZ) Chances are you remember the day you got your driver's license. You remember how nervous you were and, if you got your license in Massachusetts, you don't forget there was a state trooper in the car.

But those are days are over.

David King is one of 56 civilian examiners now handing out drivers’ licenses statewide. Unlike state troopers, he does not wear a gun.

Yingli Dai of Milton got her license Thursday morning.

“Oh I was so nervous. But it was great,” the teenager said. “He said I did a great job.”

Registrar Anne Collins said the state will save money. And teens will be less nervous.

“You are not getting into a car with someone who is armed,” Collins said. “You are getting in with someone who has experience as a driver educator themselves.”

Since 1992, stone-faced state troopers have decided whether you passed or failed. Before that it was a uniformed Registry police officer. But as of this month - after decades - the police are gone.

State Police Capt. David Desmond gave teens the driving test for years. He said troopers are needed elsewhere.

“This will really benefit the public,” Desmond said. “This will allow us to deploy about 50 more troopers across the state every day."

“The comments we are getting,” Dave King said, “is that they are glad that the state troopers are not doing it anymore because it is less intimidating to them. With a civilian doing it they feel more comfortable.”

While they may look friendlier, early indications are the civilians are actually tougher. Nineteen percent of kids failed their driving tests last week. That compares with an average of 14 percent when state troopers did the job.

http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_200233452.html


Posted by: mpd61

Damn!!!

There goes my head-of-the-line priveledges



Posted by: CTrain

They make it seem like troopers are the devil's henchmen, or stone-cold killers haha Who cares if they are armed, they aren't going to shoot you if you fail.

But I would still say it is a good decision


Posted by: billb

I didn't have a trooper do my test... I tested back in the days before the MSP, MDC, Registry and Capitol merger...

So we basically merged agencies "to save money" and now hire extra people to replace the sort-of-cop turned trooper... so now what do we do with these troopers that have always been test administrators?

Some of 'em are pretty, well, large...


Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:
so now what do we do with these troopers that have always been test administrators?
They'll find a hole to hide in...those types always do.

As for the Registry, the MSP is well rid of that canker-sore. Nothing like taking highly-trained, highly motivated, college-educated, ex-military, new Troopers and put them in the Registry, doing a job a monkey could do. What a waste!


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by mpd61
Damn!!!

There goes my head-of-the-line priveledges
Finally getting your license?

I remember my road test with a RMV Inspector, I even remember his last name....Cameron. Scared the shit out of me, but I passed. The kid after me failed because he forgot to release the e-brake and drove away with it engaged.

If I remember correctly, the temp licenses back then were pink?


Posted by: tazoez

I remember when I took mine, Trooper Kenney was riding shotgun. Very tough man to please, failed me (with good reason).

Passed on second try.

I remember hearing people frightened when they had to go for their exam in Springfield. Trooper Johnson was the examiner. Man, she was brutal from the stories that I heard (yeah I know, all hearsay).


Posted by: pahapoika

If I remember correctly, the temp licenses back then were pink?

yes they were got to the registry before the ink dried to get my picture.

that's when the Registry was behind the Quincy PD

let go of my class 2 when it went CDL and then tried to get it back a couple of years ago. not a pleasant experience.


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by pahapoika
got to the registry before the ink dried to get my picture.
Me too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pahapoika
that's when the Registry was behind the Quincy PD
The building is still there, it's a homeless shelter now;

http://www.fatherbillsplace.org/about.html


Posted by: Killjoy

Quote:
I remember hearing people frightened when they had to go for their exam in Springfield. Trooper Johnson was the examiner. Man, she was brutal from the stories that I heard (yeah I know, all hearsay).
They used to call her the "Dragon Lady".


Posted by: Inspector

I remember that test day leaving school with other candidates and the high school driver ed teacher along with Registry cop. In those days you opted for "standard or automatic"...I took "standard" and sat scrared poopless as our car rolled backward through stop sign down a steep hill while Registry guy struggled to get control from panicking gal behind wheel. (She kept foot on clutch not brake). "Who's next?" He asked. I was so I just got to drive him back to the high school (probably to change his pants) to pass my test. She didn't. "Pink slip" was the paper of the day.


Posted by: Redleg13D

Let me see if I'm tracking here...

First, there was the "Registry Police". Then, it merged into MSP, making them Troopers. Then, said Troopers move out of the registry and onto the road. This now leaves a new category of people to perform road tests... the circle is nearly complete!


Posted by: shaund44

good they drive like A-Holes anyway. they give no road respect.


Posted by: Sniper

Quote:
Originally Posted by shaund44
good they drive like A-Holes anyway. they give no road respect.
WHO does ?????


Posted by: MM1799

Quote:
Originally Posted by Redleg13D
Let me see if I'm tracking here...

First, there was the "Registry Police". Then, it merged into MSP, making them Troopers. Those Troopers found comfy chairs in special units never to see the road again. Troopers who graduated an RTT were then shuffled in to replace them. Then, said Troopers move out of the registry and onto the road. This now leaves a new category of people to perform road tests... the circle is nearly complete!
I added a couple of steps.
Please see "NRT" or my personal favorite: "tprs without any training"

Be advised it's 2007, I am over it. I just like to relive some funny moments in the past!


Posted by: MPDReserve

Quote:
Originally Posted by kwflatbed
Nineteen percent of kids failed their driving tests last week. That compares with an average of 14 percent when state troopers did the job.
Is that better or worse?


Also, what the hell is the hangup on cops carrying guns? People always get uptight about it or fascinated by it. Is it really that weird of a thing. We've only been carrying them for how long now?


Posted by: frank

I remember going to Lowell ten years ago for my test...my drivers ed instructor told me that a trooper by a certain name there was a real hardass.

I ended up getting him and he talked about Sinatra the whole time with my mother, who was sitting in the back seat...I think it was the only time I was glad I had my mother with me for anything.


Posted by: resqjyw0

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPDReserve
Is that better or worse?
Are you asking if its better or worse that they are failing more kids? I would say its better. We've all been in the age group where all the kids at school are getting their license and driving their cars to school. You want to see the worse drivers, go to any high school when the day is over and I am sure you will see a countless number of times where a student almost causes an accident. I'm surprised more accidents don't happen in the high school parking lots the way the kids drive either to beat the rush or just to show everyone how fast they can drive through the parking lot.

I see those stats being a result of one of two things, either they are tougher on the kids going for the license than the Troopers were, or the kids feel more relaxed since there isn't a Trooper in the car thinking they can get away with more or they just aren't as aware and they end up making mistakes.

Back when I went for my license, I had a pretty young Trooper. Probably was out of one of the more recent RTTs. Really nice guy, didn't have any problems and we had a little conversation going because I told him I had an interest in Law Enforcement. I was so nervous I never remembered his his last name. I do remember one of the women that was with the driving school that I was taking the test through referred to him as Russ. Somewhere around here I probably still have my validated permit with that he signed if I really wanted to know what his last name was.

I would have been nervous either way whether I was riding with a Trooper or not because whoever it was sitting in that seat beside me had the ability to fail me, not because the Trooper carried a gun.

It's good though they are freeing up the Troopers that were stuck administering road tests to do something more productive on the roads.


Posted by: dcs2244

Quote:
Originally Posted by Killjoy
They used to call her the "Dragon Lady".
Dude, you beat me to that one! "Fear and Loathing at the Registry"...I remember the "Soviet Union News" did a puff piece about road tests and they interviewed the "prospective drivers"...her reputation as "the Dragon Lady" was well known throughout the school system and they all prayed they wouldn't draw the short straw...of course, it would have helped if she didn't arrive at the Registry operating her nuclear-powered Junk...


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Posted by: MPDReserve

Quote:
Originally Posted by resqjyw0
Are you asking if its better or worse that they are failing more kids? I would say its better. We've all been in the age group where all the kids at school are getting their license and driving their cars to school. You want to see the worse drivers, go to any high school when the day is over and I am sure you will see a countless number of times where a student almost causes an accident. I'm surprised more accidents don't happen in the high school parking lots the way the kids drive either to beat the rush or just to show everyone how fast they can drive through the parking lot.

I see those stats being a result of one of two things, either they are tougher on the kids going for the license than the Troopers were, or the kids feel more relaxed since there isn't a Trooper in the car thinking they can get away with more or they just aren't as aware and they end up making mistakes.

Back when I went for my license, I had a pretty young Trooper. Probably was out of one of the more recent RTTs. Really nice guy, didn't have any problems and we had a little conversation going because I told him I had an interest in Law Enforcement. I was so nervous I never remembered his his last name. I do remember one of the women that was with the driving school that I was taking the test through referred to him as Russ. Somewhere around here I probably still have my validated permit with that he signed if I really wanted to know what his last name was.

I would have been nervous either way whether I was riding with a Trooper or not because whoever it was sitting in that seat beside me had the ability to fail me, not because the Trooper carried a gun.

It's good though they are freeing up the Troopers that were stuck administering road tests to do something more productive on the roads.

I was just curious about why there is a change in the failure rates. Supposedly troopers are the "meanest, baddest, strictest" people out there. I remember a while back when I had to take my test, I was so nervous because the trooper doing them that day failed the 3 people ahead of me without ever leaving the parking lot. Now that report sounds like it is saying troopers weren't up to par or something.

I do agree with you on the high school kids thing. Even though I am not as far away in age as some of the rest of you , I try to avoid the high school areas in the mornings and afternoons. Worst drivers out there, next to the elderly, but that is another conversation.


Posted by: resqjyw0

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPDReserve
Worst drivers out there, next to the elderly, but that is another conversation.
I was actually thinking about the elderly too when i was doing up my response, but decided to leave it out since we're talking about the kids taking their road tests.

When I had my road test the Trooper failed the kid before me because he didn't put on his seatbelt. I always wear my seatbelt. I have had people make fun of me in the past because when I go to meet up with someone and I am just sitting there in a parking lot I still wear it. Just a habit. I was more nervous about being failed on my driving ability. The other things like check your mirrors, make sure you come to a complete stop at a stop sign, I wasn't worried about because when I had my road lessons with the driving instructor, I signed up for their strictest instructor because if I had any bad habits I figured he'd be the guy that would get those bad habits out of me and he did. As strict as he was, he said I was one of his better students and should have no problem passing the road test. Needless to say, I was still nervous.

Did you ever hear why those three people ahead of you were failed? It was definitely no secret why the kid ahead of me failed, everybody knew.


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by MPDReserve
Supposedly troopers are the "meanest, baddest, strictest" people out there.
Back when I first got my license, we were all terrified of the registry cops. Rumors abounded of them being able to revoke your license on the spot, cutting it in half in front of you, and enacting a lifetime ban on driving.

Looking back, I'm not quite so sure any of that was true.


Posted by: MPDReserve

Quote:
Originally Posted by resqjyw0
Did you ever hear why those three people ahead of you were failed? It was definitely no secret why the kid ahead of me failed, everybody knew.
One was the seatbelt, and another was not checking the mirrors. I believe the other one was that they brought a vehicle without an e-brake accessible to the trooper. I asked what was up after he signed me off.


Posted by: New Hire

Quote:
Originally Posted by pahapoika
If I remember correctly, the temp licenses back then were pink?

yes they were got to the registry before the ink dried to get my picture.

that's when the Registry was behind the Quincy PD

let go of my class 2 when it went CDL and then tried to get it back a couple of years ago. not a pleasant experience.
I don't remember a pink temp license....but I do remember running into the Registry (which is now Pub 76 on Weir St.) and getting the old laminated picture license.

I think I was 16 & 1/2 and a two days old when I scheduled my road test...

The test for the CDL Class A was TOUGH. Talk about nerve racking....I'm assuming the MSP will still be conducting these exams, no?


Posted by: SinePari

Quote:
Originally Posted by tazoez
I remember when I took mine, Trooper Kenney was riding shotgun. Very tough man to please, failed me (with good reason).
The same Dave Kenney from Northampton? He got in a wreck last year going home for lunch. Dude fell asleep, crossed the double yellow head-on, and crushed Dave's cruiser into a soda can. Nicest guy in the world, was gonna retire and work at the RMV as one of the civilian testers. Last I heard, he was still in rehab for the injuries.


Posted by: Duff112

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta784
Back when I first got my license, we were all terrified of the registry cops. Rumors abounded of them being able to revoke your license on the spot, cutting it in half in front of you, and enacting a lifetime ban on driving.

Looking back, I'm not quite so sure any of that was true.

Delta-

I thought the same thing. But I sure liked those "Powder Blue" covers they had.. and the white cruisers..

They were sharp.


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by Duff112
I thought the same thing. But I sure liked those "Powder Blue" covers they had.. and the white cruisers..



Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Those were nice uniforms, although I didn't care for the cruisers.


Posted by: 94c

so who remembers the day when they had to be called for all fatalities and school bus accidents?


Posted by: pahapoika

I don't remember a pink temp license....but I do remember running into the Registry (which is now Pub 76 on Weir St.) and getting the old laminated picture license.

I think I was 16 & 1/2 and a two days old when I scheduled my road test...

The test for the CDL Class A was TOUGH. Talk about nerve racking....I'm assuming the MSP will still be conducting these exams, no?

can't remember if the guy i took the test with was a cop. went over to Cohasset town hall and drove around the block , did a 3 point turn and wah-lah = licence !

the class 2 taken with the registry cop years ago on wood road in Braintree went well , but those young troopers in the Stoughton DPW yard................




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Posted by: Duff112

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta784
Just viewing it now....cool!


Posted by: dcs2244

Quote:
Originally Posted by 94c
so who remembers the day when they had to be called for all fatalities and school bus accidents?
Ted "Aquaman" Kennedy does.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Duff112
Just viewing it now....cool!
As Staff Sergeant Roger Ford used to query: "Why Is Your Uniform On Up-Side-Down, YOU"!?!?


Posted by: 40th MPOC#309

I remember being TERRIFIED of the RMV Police. I would cringe when they were behind me while I was jetting around in my '65 Comet 289 three on the tree. Did they take calls other than RMV issues? Did they have jurisdiction in all 351? How about state highway patrol?


Posted by: Delta784

Quote:
Originally Posted by 40th MPOC#309
I remember being TERRIFIED of the RMV Police. I would cringe when they were behind me while I was jetting around in my '65 Comet 289 three on the tree. Did they take calls other than RMV issues? Did they have jurisdiction in all 351? How about state highway patrol?
They had full statewide jurisdiction but generally only dealt with M/V issues. When I was a BHA cop in the 80's-90's, they would send teams out to conduct selective enforcement from 8pm-4am on Blue Hill Avenue, Melnea Cass Boulevard, and other high-risk traffic roads the BPD didn't have the time or manpower to deal with.

You could always tell when the registry cops had been out....the traffic dockets in Roxbury, West Roxbury, and Dorchester Courts was about 10X as long as usual.


Posted by: New Hire

I remember they would swarm like bees onto the cruise spots in Brockton...either the Westgate Mall or the Burger King on Rt. 123....

Everyone knew street racing was going on and the rule was, get in as many races as possible before the RMV police made their presence known...

and started having cars towed...

They were notorious for being hard asses...looking back, that might not have been such a bad thing...


Posted by: 94c

I just renewed my driver's license and guess what?

Local political hacks are now working at the registry.

The people who, no matter who is running for mayor, are out there holding signs.

Can't wait for them to settle in and Howie Carr takes a peak at this one.


Posted by: GMACK24

I was scared poopless as well.
My test was at the Armory in Quincy. (Not sure if they still have them there or not) But got in the car and sure enough a State Trooper sitting there.
I got so nervous he asked me to do the ARM turn signal and did it with my right hand.
Nearly hit him in the face ! ! ! !
He was like. Um next time you do the turn signal use your left hand.
Its a lot more usefull.
I laughed and did the signals out the window. we both laughed and he passed me.
Still kinda scary.
But I do think they will deff be more usefull out on the streets.
my .02 cents.


Posted by: rg1283

The CAT teams I think deploy radar details and the like in problem traffic areas.




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