Re: Alfa/SUV

[Simon Favre <simon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

No, it's even worse than you think. There is no special drivers test to
drive a small truck or a motorhome. Drivers of big rigs do take a much
more exacting test. The difference is in the number of axles, the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and whether or not you drive for hire. In
CA, the normal "Class C" license entitles you to drive anything with 2
axles, more than 3 wheels (2 or 3 wheels takes a motorcycle license),
and tow another vehicle with a total combined length less than 40 feet.
I think the previous posting about the DMV making the test simple just
so they wouldn't have so many frustrated people in line to deal with
was right on target. It's frightening out there.

On my way to lunch today, I happened to be behind TWO Suburbans, ;=(
one old, one new. Both were 4WD. Explain to me why the rear bumper
height on the new one is about 6" higher than on the old one. If you
rear end a SUV, you can submarine under their bumper. Yet another reason
to give them a wide berth.

Christopher Keen wrote:

>The Alfa might still look like crap, but at least the owner might not. A '69
>New Yorker (or, for that matter, a modern large car, i.e. S-class) at least
>has the same bumper height, so it won't just ride over the top of your car.
>I think someone brought this up before, but yesterday I was sitting next to
>an Expedition at the light, and noticed how the bumper was the same height
>as my face. I'd also like to say that the standards for the driver's test
>here (Calif.) are pathetic, and that I agree that for such a heavy vehicle
>you should have to learn its limitations, just like a tow truck driver,
>small truck driver, or motorhome driver does when they get a special license
>(I think).

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