DMV is back

District of motor vehicles again, would we be becoming friends?
Ayant obtenu de notre landlord un certificat de domicile, j'ai pu effectuer un nouveau pelerinage hier au DMV pour completer le paperwork. La queue avant l'ouverture a 8h du matin etait impressionante, une distribution de tickets plus tard a commence l'attente, longue et sans fin. Alors que les autres numeros defilent A2, H4, E1, G7... qu'arrivait-il donc aux "I" ?
Alors que je songe a aller reclamer - Henry James commencant a montrer ses limites apres 45 min de lecture dans une piece bruyante, une sonnerie d'alarme retentit, et nous sommes envoyes dehors, dans le froid matinal, et sur le trottoir oppose qui plus est, a l'ombre. 3 camions de pompier arrivent a toute vitesse et sirenes hurlantes, beaucoup d'agitation, qui avec un tuyau, qui avec une echelle, qui entre dans le batiment. L'atmosphere semble bien trop calme et detendue pour que quoi que ce soit de serieux en soit en train de se passer, ma seule idee etant je pense, comme celle de la centaine de gens autour de moi, de "get the business done as quickkly as possible and get the hell out of here".
30 min plus tard, les pompiers ressortent, plient leurs tuyaux, parlent avec le responsable du batiment, et nous sommes enfin autorises a nous battre pour rerentrer dans le batiment. Nous en profitons pour demander ce qui arrive aux malheureux "I" - on nous avait effectivement oublies.
La dame au comptoir accepte heureusement ma preuve de domicile, retrouve mon dossier, m'aide a remplir le cheque, et, apres 2h30 de patience et une derniere photo, me voila enfin titulaire d'un "DC driving license" pour quelques annees, ouf.

J'ai profite de l'expedition pour consulter le code, et ne peux resister au plaisir de partager avec vous quelques questions supplementaires:
You're driving up to an intersection where the traffic light is red. A policeman motions you to go through. You should:
- Wait for the light to turn green and then go ahead
- Call the policeman's attention to the red light
- Obey the policeman's signal
You are permitted to open the door on the traffic side:
-When traffic is clear
- When your car has come to a complete stop
- After signalling other cars to stop
Why do we have speed limits ?
-So more cars can use the road
- To kep traffic within a speed safe for existing conditions
- So that the police can tell more easily who is speeding
When may you use your horn ?
- In emergencies to warn pedestrians and drivers
- To warn slow drivers and careless pedestrians
- To attract attention that you have the right-of-way
What must you do when another vehicle is about to over-take and pass you?
- Not increase your speed until the other vehicle has safely passed your vehicle
- Move to the left to prevent him/ her from passing, if you are at the legal speed
- Increase your speed
On devine parfois un peu de lassitude de la part des redacteurs, qui se traduirait par un certain laissez-aller dans les reponses proposees. You are driving during heavy rain or snow. You should:
- Use your mobile phone to check voice mail ?
- Call a friend to make alternate plans since it's raining?
- Delay your call since the road conditions are hasardous?
Une serie de questions sur les cyclistes, que je n'ai pu que lire avec delice.
There is a bike path alongside the road way, yet there is a cyclist in front of you using the road instead of the path. You should:
- Honk at the cyclist and point to the path
- Notify a policeman
- Treat the cyclist as you would any other vehicle, since a cyclist is allowed to used either the roadway or the bike path.
You are making a left turn. After getting out into the center of the interesection, you wait for more cars coming from the opposite direction to pass. A bicyclist is proceeding straight in the stream of cars. You should:
- Turn in front of the bicyclist, if he is proceeding slowly
- Honk at the bicyclist and tell him to cross as a pedestrian
- Yield the right of way to the cyclist as you would to any other vehicle
On ne peut s'empecher enfin de soupconner un certain humour noir chez les redacteurs - voici mes deux favoris du jour.
If your car should hit a pedestrian, what should you do immediately ?
- Identify yourself and leave
- Help the person and call an ambulance
- Help the injured person, identify yourself and then report to the police
As you approach an intersection the light is green for you to proceed. A funeral procession is passing accross the intersection in front of you. You should:
- Proceed with caution
- Wait for a break in the procession and proceed
- Proceed on green light only after entire procession has celared intersection