A man in Fremont, California, confronted a Black girl who was practicing driving near the Fremont DMV. According to her father, she was preparing for her driving test and wanted to practice on the actual routes used for the test.
The father said he got out of the car after seeing the man at his daughter’s window, yelling at her and telling her she was not being taught properly. The man then told them to practice somewhere else, saying he was “doing you a favor.”
The situation quickly turned into an argument. The father told the man to stay away from the car and pointed out that they were on a “public street.” The man continued questioning why the girl was practicing in the area and said she did not know the area well.
The father argued that his daughter had done nothing wrong and challenged the man to name a traffic law she had broken. He also told the man that he could not approach their car and decide where they were allowed to practice.
The confrontation became more heated as the two continued arguing. The father warned the man to move away and threatened to “knock you out” if he did not. He also told him to call the police if he believed they were breaking any rules.
The argument then turned to race, with the father telling the man, “Take your white privilege and go home.” The man accused him of being racist, while the father said the man had approached a Black father and his daughter and questioned their right to use the public road.
The father continued defending his daughter and said they would keep practicing. He repeatedly told the man to “Go home” and said they were not at his house. The man eventually moved away after continuing to question their decision to practice there. The video ends with the father saying his daughter had broken no street laws and that they would continue with their driving practice.
Internet Reacts to California DMV Driving Confrontation
Reactions to the video leaned heavily in the father’s favor. One commenter wrote, “He feels like he’s entitled to police him and his daughter’s actions. Sir, mind your own business and go home.” Another made a similar point, arguing, “This is ridiculous. She had a learner’s permit with an adult in the car. That’s legal.“
Others zeroed in on the racial angle. One person commented, “Black man better than me cause he was way too patient with that.” Another pushed back on the framing, writing, “Didn’t hear race or him say anything indicating race, but it’s about race. A million categories this guy fits into but the go to is always race.”
A third simply dismissed the whole ordeal, saying, “They really just have nothing better do with the remainder of their lives.”
California DMV rules allow people with learner permits to practice driving on public roads when they follow the required supervision rules. For drivers under 18, California requires supervised practice with a qualified adult who is at least 25 years old and holds a valid driver’s license.
The DMV also recommends practicing on different types of roads, including intersections and residential streets, before taking the driving test. Teen drivers must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, before taking the test.
