Car Review 2013

Remember that video? Big stuff all over the internet earlier this year.

Well, the wheels of justice turn quickly in the UK...driver John Tomlinson has appeared before a traffic commissioner, pleaded his case (that he couldnt see, hear or smell the Renault Clio attached to his front bumper) and has been allowed to keep his license.

In fact, traffic commissioner Beverley Bell praised Tomlinson for his fast action and cool head. You dont see it in the video, but other drivers signaled him to pull over, he discovered the Clio on his bumper, and freed driver Rhona Jane Williams.

Commissioner Bell urged companies to retrofit older lorries (trucks to us Yanks)with the kind of proximity mirrors now standard on newer models.

1. Get a valid drivers license and at least a high school diploma. Take and pass a drivers education program and become knowledgeable about car safety and the rules of the road. Although a college degree is not required to become a test car driver, you should have a strong grasp of the English language and have above-average mathematical and technical ability.
2. Enroll in a car mechanics course at your local college. Start tinkering with your own car and explore all there is to know about the engine, the interior and chassis components and how they work. Get a job as an apprentice with a reputable auto mechanic and work alongside her to get your hands dirty. While youre at it, take a course in go-karting to improve your driving skills and techniques.
3. Earn an associates degree in mechanical or automotive engineering. Although its not required to become a test car driver, it can give you an edge by showing car manufacturers that youre highly qualified for the job. A degree that includes manufacturing and automotive design courses will also give you a distinct advantage.
4. Take speech or writing classes to polish up your oral and written communications skills. A test car driver must be able to communicate test data and the results of his observations about a car to company team members in a professional and technically proficient manner.
5. Look into Ford Motor Companys certification program--the Electronic Driver Certification Tracking System (EDCERTS)--which tests drivers at four different tracks, skills and speeds. You can check out certification and job opportunities at Ford by accessing its website at ford.com.
6. Contact major auto manufacturers individually to find out if theyre hiring test drivers or to see if you can get your foot in the door in a lower-level job first. Check out employment opportunities at BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, and Toyota and complete their online applications.