Posted by Safe Driver, a member of the Monte Vista High School community, on Jul 27, 2011 at 12:24 am

I passed on my first try with Scary Larry...he isn't scary...he is only making sure that kids drive safe. His "tips" to my parents after I passed my exam made me become a more "mature" driver.

Happy Retirement Larry!

Posted by miss drea, a resident of another community, on Jul 27, 2011 at 6:51 am

I hope everyone will stop by this week and wish him goodbye...he truely is a icon of DMV.....we are going to miss his crazy smiles....his stories of ten years ago (hand on head as if your sighing)...sun glasses of every color...Hawaiian shirts....disco music....presents from Vegas.....bright red suspenders....the bag of everything (band-aids...tums...stickers..sodas...filters...)....always has many flashlights on hand.....LOL.....we will miss you Scarey Larry....love bun bun and miss drea

Posted by a parent, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 27, 2011 at 7:58 am

Some kids preferred to avoid the Pleasanton DMV so they could avoid Scary Larry. I told my son it was best to have Larry as a tester. If he could pass with Larry, I would feel comfortable that my then 16-year old could safely drive. Thank you, Larry. Your hints were very helpful, too.

Posted by Thanks!, a member of the Monte Vista High School community, on Jul 27, 2011 at 8:20 am

All 3 of my kids had their driving tests with "Scarey Larry". They had heard about him and were nervous but he was fair and wanted them to be ready before they hit the road. I am thankful that he expected this for our kids and the communities safety. They all left the test feeling like they were good enough drivers to just pass the test but not cocky enough that they felt like they owned the road. Good job Larry! Enjoy your retirement!

Posted by Deano, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 27, 2011 at 10:05 am

My daughter had Scary Larry and I'm glad she did. If she can pass the test with Larry in passenger seat then I trust she can handle the road with her friends in the car. Thank You Larry. Enjoy your retirement

Posted by Monte vista high school graduate 2008, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Jul 27, 2011 at 10:05 am

I had "scary Larry" and passed the first time. If you can drive properly, you'll pass. It's friend that easy! The hawaiian shirt is awesome and he just tells you straight up how you drive. happy retirement Larry, you are awesome!

Posted by Joy Beth, a resident of another community, on Jul 27, 2011 at 10:42 am

Larry, it has been a long road, having worked with you at sears and talking you into working for the DMV with me--glad to see that you are finally going to retire and enjoy what life has to offer you. Enjoyed working with you over the past 20 years-- I am going on 21 myself!! Wishing you all the best.

Posted by Claudette , a resident of another community, on Jul 27, 2011 at 10:45 am

I really like Larry ~ 2 of my 3 kids had Larry and the one that didn't test with him, told me about him. I was nervous about it too, but I found him very casual in his manner of dress so you would think it would relax the drivers... I also found him fair and personable, easy to talk to. He passed both my kids that had him, but the last one he was iffy about. He said to me "He passed but you know, he needs more practice." Larry's got heart. He pointed out my sons weaknesses and gave him great credit for things he felt was very well done and beyond the normal driver he tests.

A good man doing a great job making our streets safe ~ Best of Wishes Larry and thanks for bringing your Unique personality and perspective to your work.

Posted by Pedal Power, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 28, 2011 at 9:07 pm

In driving, as with the economy, if you are not at least a little bit scared, you are not paying attention! Larry had the right idea, his job was not a popularity contest, so best wishes in his retirement...

Posted by oakland high dai day, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 28, 2011 at 9:23 pm

hi larry, so its scary larry from oakland high !

i passed with you too whew..glad i made it..hope i can stop in to wish you happy retirement!

cheers,

dai day from ohs 65/danville

Posted by C. R. Mudgeon, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Aug 1, 2011 at 5:04 pm

My two kids both took their drving test at the Pleasanton DMV - I think from "Scary Larry". One thing that we did do beforehand was to spend a bit of time having them drive around the vicinity of the DMV, so they were a bit acquainted with the area. A little familiarity helped to ease the nerves...

I told my kids to be thankful that they were taking the test in CA, and not in Illinois, where we had previously lived. Although the Illinois written exam is quite a bit easier than the CA written exam, the Illinois driving test required a few things not required in CA, such as backing around a corner in reverse. I want to say that it also required you to parallel park, but maybe that was back in the dark ages, when I got MY driver's license....