Request Google Satellite Photos of Known DMV Motorcycle Test Patterns

Can people post the snapshot of their local DMV motorcycle test pattern?

Here's mine:
http://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholedu8.gif

Or just paste these two GPS coordingates into google maps and zoom in as
far as you can go:
37.350291986417986, -121.99369758367538

Paste this into the web browser URL address bar while you're zoomed into
the test pattern to get the GPS center point of the google map.

javascript:void(prompt('',gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));

Please post the motorcycle test pattern of YOUR local DMV!

 

Hillcrest, San Diego
32.7504 , -117.1498

Rich, Urban Biker

 

Here's a bunch in the SF Bay Area, courtesy of Google Maps.

San Francisco:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.772992,-122.4398&spn=0.001338,0.
001786&t=k&z=19&om=1

Daly City
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.689006,-122.472678&spn=0.001339,
0.001786&t=k&z=19&om=1

Corte Madera
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.934554,-122.517313&spn=0.001335,
0.001786&t=k&z=19&om=1

Redwood City
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.492656,-122.229662&spn=0.001343,
0.001786&t=k&z=19&om=1

Fremont
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.55363,-122.007385&spn=0.001342,0
..001786&t=k&z=19&om=1

Oakland (Hmmm. They don't seem to have an MC test space.)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.83957,-122.259413&spn=0.002673,0
..003573&t=k&z=18&om=1

El Cerrito (Hmmm.)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.915907,-122.309986&spn=0.00267,0
..003573&t=k&z=18&om=1

Pacifica (Hmmmm.)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=37.588616,-122.494029&spn=0.001341,
0.001786&t=k&z=19&om=1

Napa (Hmmmm!)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=37.7324,-122.451
162&sspn=0.010708,0.014291&ie=UTF8&ll=38.256237,-122.274098&spn=0.002658,
0.003573&t=k&z=18&om=1

 

The circular part appears to be a double line, while the one in San
Diego ws just a single line. Maybe there is some difference in where
you go to take this test.

This was an interesting exercise to determine the coordinates of the
test tracks by successive approximations, but in terms of practical
results, taking the addresses of the DMV, and then using the mouse to
adjust the precise position.

Rich, Urban Biker

 

Got it!

The center of the Hillcrest, San Diego DMV keyhole circle is located at
32.75041960862975, -117.14983463287354
+32 degrees 45' 1.51", -117 degrees 8' 59.41"

http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholehillcrestsandju0.gif

 

The cone "dots" I've seen are solid circles about six inches in diameter.
They don't seem to show up in the satellite photos. The lines themselves
are about three inches wide white paint, and there are always TWO in
parallel for every feature.

Here is the center point for the California DMV lollipop at
1377 Fell St, San Francisco, CA (415) 557-1170
37.77300239985695, -122.43981331586838
37 degrees 46' 22.81", -122 degrees 26' 23.33"
http://img470.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholefellsanfrancisa5.gif

All the California keyholes I've seen are painted lines, about three inches
wide, where the OUTSIDE of the painted line is the dimension quoted.

 

I can't seem to locate the motorcycle keyhole at the
California DMV, 600 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030, (800) 777-0133
37.233711103757315, -121.97851896286011
+37? 14' 1.36", -121? 58' 42.67"
http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholelosgatoscadx0.gif

Maybe I'm wrong, but this DMV seems to be VERY DIFFERENT!

Its test structure seems to consist of a three-sided box with a circle in
the center.

Can anyone near the Los Gatos DMV confirm or deny the apparently wierd
motorcycle-test markings?

Does Los Gatos (aka, the cats) do motorcycle tests differently?

 

Here is Daly City's GPS coordinates for the circle center
37.68901012215813, -122.4725791811943
+37 degrees 41' 20.44", -122 degrees 28' 21.28"
http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholedalycitycavl7.gif

Daly City's DMV keyhole seems well sited among a grove of trees.

 

Here's how I've been centering the circles:
- I find the DMV location (thanks Timberwoof) on Google
- I select the Google "Hybrid" satellite view
- I zoom in to visually locate the DMV keyhole
- I right click on the center of the lollipop
- And select "Center Map Here" from the Google popup
- Once centered, I right click on the green map arrow
- And select "Clear Search Results" from the Google popup
- I snap, crop, and post the screenshot for all to enjoy

Here's how I obtain the precise GPS coordinates:
- Once the DMV lollipop is centered
- I enter the script below into the location bar
- javascript:void(prompt('',gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));
- This pops up a form with the precise GPS decimal coordinates

Here's how I translate decimal to degrees/minutes/seconds:
- Once I have the precise GPS decimal coordinates
- I simply paste them into the Google location bar (sans parenthesis)
- That translates decimal into degrees minutes seconds
- And double checks that the coordinates are exact

The result is that anyone in any named town can now check out their
particular town's DMV keyhole simply by looking at the posted photos or by
entering the GPS coordinates into a Google map location window.

 

Neat idea! Here's the keyhole for the San Diego office on Normal Street:
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=...=DMV+Normal+St.+san+diego+ca&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl

--
barb
Chaplain, ARSCCwdne

buy my book!
http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1198812

read my blog!
http://xenubarb.blogspot.com/

 

Redwood City California DMV
37.492666425537344, -122.2296729683876
+37degrees 29' 33.60", -122degrees 13' 46.82"
http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholeredwoodcitycand6.gif

 

Corte Madera, California DMV
37.93457051840289, -122.51718968153
+37 degrees 56' 4.46", -122 degrees 31' 1.88"
http://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholecortemaderawu0.gif

The Corte Madera DMV seems to be the first (so far) to have an observer dot
stationed in the center of the keyhole.

 

Thanks Barb,

Here's San Diego's Normal Street DMV lollipop, thanks to Barb,
32.75042, -117.149827
+32degrees 45' 1.51", -117degrees 8' 59.38"
http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholesandiegocate6.gif

What would be interesting, in addition to analyzing the California
keyholes, would be to see the test patterns for other states.

 

As Timberwoof noted, Oakland seems to be an anomoly (as was Los Gatos).
I don't see the DMV keyhole. Maybe it's hidden in the trees?
Or, maybe I'm looking at the wrong building (I've never been to Oakland).

I wonder if one can even take a motorcycle riding test in Oakland.
Or, maybe, just maybe, it's a different test?

Can someone familiar with Oakland pinpoint the location of the DMV keyhole?

Oakland
37.839697, -122.259392
+37degrees 50' 22.91", -122degrees 15' 33.81"
http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholeoaklandcatt3.gif

 

As Timberwoof noted, there is another enigma at
Anderson Christine DMV, 985 Linda Mar Blvd, Pacifica, CA, (650) 359-6471
37.588633117635425, -122.49403417110443
+37? 35' 19.08", -122? 29' 38.52"
http://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholepacificacaaz1.gif

However, I see there is a second DMV in Pacifica which DOES have the
California lollipop.

Pacifica DMV, 1500 Sullivan Ave, Daly City, CA 94015, (916) 657-8345
37.689014, -122.472576
+37? 41' 20.45", -122? 28' 21.27"
http://img50.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholesullivanavepaap1.gif

So, maybe some towns with multiple DMVs only administer the motorcycle
riding test at a subset of teh available DMV sites.

Does anyone familiar with Pacifica have the answer?

 

Again, Timberwoof, I was surprised (as were you) at the Napa DMV photo.
Yep. Nature has a way of getting in the way!

Napa DMV, 2550 Napa Valley Corporate Dr, Napa, CA, (707) 252-4111
38.256237, -122.274098
+38? 15' 22.45", -122? 16' 26.75"
http://img204.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dmvkeyholenapasmokeycanr2.gif

I hadn't realized until now that the anomoly you and I see indicates the
upper-level satellite photos might have been taken at a different time than
the lower-level satellite photos.

I thought the different levels were just zoomed-in subsets of each other,
but the Napa DMV shot might indicate otherwise (perhaps not though).

 

Turby,
What we need to do is COMPARE the California DMV test patterns with that of
other states!

So far, nobody in those other states has posted THEIR DMV test patterns,
which is telling in and of itself - but which would be interesting by way
of comparison.

You seem to be posting from somewhere near Herndon, Virginia.
Would you kindly post a test pattern from your state (if they have one)?

Thanks!
JR

 

Hi Rich,
It's easier than that!

Once you have a picture in Google maps, just do two things.
1. Position your cursor where you want to find the coordinates of and right
click and select the centering option.

Now your desired object (in our case, the center of the DMV lollipop) is in
the center of Google maps.

2. Then, once centered, paste this into the browser location URL:
javascript:void(prompt('',gApplication.getMap().getCenter()));

Doing so provides the exact coordinates of the center of the lollipop!

You can revisit those coordinates by pasting them into the google location
bar (sans the parenthesis) and voila! Up comes the center of the DMV
lollipop!

Here are some coordinates to try by way of example:
32.75041960862975, -117.14983463287354 (for the San Diego DMV lollipop)
37.77300239985695, -122.43981331586838 (for the San Francisco lollipop)
37.233711103757315, -121.97851896286011 (for the Los Gatos enigma)
37.68901012215813, -122.4725791811943 (for the Daly City DMV lollipop)
37.492666425537344, -122.2296729683876 (for the Redwood City lollipop)
37.93457051840289, -122.51718968153 (for the Corte Madera DMV lollipop)
37.553632125195094, -122.00739026069641 (for the Fremont two-headed pop)
37.689014, -122.472576 (for the Pacifica anamoly DMV lollipop)

We've already learned a lot!
And we've opened up a few unanswered questions to boot.

Now, what we need are the test patterns from OTHER STATES!

Where are all the other states?

 

Well, if that's what you wanted. Geeez. Anybody who has access to Google
Maps can do that. Hang on a moment. ...

Denver, CO (I think)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=39.74004,-104.99
227&sspn=0.666328,0.914612&ie=UTF8&ll=39.697248,-105.009588&spn=0.001306,
0.001886&t=h&z=19&om=1

Lakewood, CO (can't find it)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=39.74004,-104.99
227&sspn=0.666328,0.914612&ie=UTF8&ll=39.74566,-105.072985&spn=0.002611,0
..003771&t=h&z=18&om=1

Boulder, CO (can't find it)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=DMV&sll=39.74004,-104.99
227&sspn=0.666328,0.914612&ie=UTF8&ll=40.036799,-105.25545&spn=0.0026,0.0
03771&t=h&z=18&om=1

The other hits around Denver likewise didn't have an obvious MC test
thing painted on a parking lot.

Couldn't find any around San Antonio, TX or Knoxville, TN.

Hm.

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dmv&sll=32.71572,-117.16
153&sspn=0.731384,0.965424&ie=UTF8&ll=32.750399,-117.149808&spn=0.001428,
0.001886&t=k&z=19&om=1

Hm. Looks like all the others.