Anchorage First Driving Test Memories

The question was... did I pass?

The photo above is of 1950s Anchorage

If you were an Anchorage teen, you probably went through the exciting, but scary process of getting your Alaska driver’s license.

Or perhaps you were an adult when you got your first Alaska Driver’s License.

Anchorage streets are challenging. In the winter, you have to drive on ice and snow. Remember, “Pump your brakes and turn into a skid.” In the spring, there is muddy water everywhere, and roads are filled with potholes as big as moon craters.

What are your memories?

Did you start with a Learner’s Permit?

Mary of Anchorage Memories shares her story:

Mary’s Anchorage Driving Test Adventure

“Nope. When my sister Betty went to get her Alaska driver’s license, she failed the driving test because she drove over a curb. Later, when she took the test for a second time, she passed.

When I was 16, my stepfather Bob took me to the DMV in our 1968 Camero.

Yep. I passed the written test. Then on to the driving test. I followed all the instructions from the DMV guy who was in the passenger seat, telling me what to do. “Turn left, turn right, cross the railroad tracks.” I was then instructed to head back to the DMV for the parallel parking test. Yep. I passed.

As Bob drove me home, he told me that he knew the guy who gave me the driving test. And if I hadn’t passed, he was going to tell him that I was his step-daughter, and you need to give her a passing test score.

Yep. When we got home my mom was happy that I had gotten my Alaska driver’s license because she didn’t drive, and I could be her chauffeur.”

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will send you a free Lucky Wishbone burger basket every week for a year… well, it could happen.

Mike’s Anchorage Driving Test Adventure

“As a teen, I started with a driver’s permit. My mom and dad took turns teaching me the finer points of driving. Like how to stay on the road and off the sidewalk.

Then came the big day when mom took me to the Anchorage Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get my Alaska driver’s license.

After I nervously passed the written portion, I was ready for the scary part… the actual driving test.

Remember, the Driver’s Manual plainly stated that I was not to talk to the person giving me the test.

“Pull out into traffic. Stop here. Turn right, turn left.”

Then I made a mistake. I pulled to a stop after passing the stop sign. Quickly, the man testing me said matter-of-factly, “Stop in front of the stop sign not behind it.” Ok, I was sure I had just failed the test.

Moments later, he said, “Head back to the DMV.” At that moment I really got nervous because I thought the dreaded parallel parking test was coming up, and I hadn’t practiced that one.

However, when we arrived back at the DMV, he said, “Pull up, park and turn off your engine.” Wow, I didn’t have to parallel park. Then, after scribling a few notes, he got out of the car without saying a word and went back into the DMV.

I wondered if I had failed the test. Moments later, I was inside the DMV and a woman came over, handed me a piece of paper and said, “Go over there to get your picture taken.” I had passed my test!

Later, I stood on the sidewalk, basking in the warm summer day and thinking to myself, “I have my Alaska Driver’s License.” I got in the car and mom drove us home.”

Connect with Mike and Mary

What are your memories of taking your Alaska Driver’s Test, or even taking the written Driver’s Test as an adult in Alaska?

Do you have a comment?

You can also reply to this email.

Or, you can Contact Us right here.

Until Next Time

Mike and Mary

The Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club