Saturday, August 22, 2015

Now, a CA driver

Ever since high school, I really wanted to learn how to drive. I thought it was cool and easy, especially when I watch my dad, uncles, cousins and friends do it. But I never had the chance to just even try. My mom worries a lot, my uncle doesn't want to teach me (I think he is scared for me) and our car is a manual.

Few weeks before I left for California, I thought of enrolling myself to a driving school because a car is a must-have in San Diego. Yes, they have buses but they arrive and depart on a specific time. Also, the travel time from our apartment to our office, by car, is just 15-20 minutes compared to riding a bus which will take more than that because you need to ride 2 different buses. However, given the limited time, I wasn't able to enroll. 

Good thing, there's a friend of mine who doesn't mind picking me up from our apartment to office and vice versa. But when he left for a six-week vacation, I felt the urgency of learning how to drive. Though it was already a plan. 

Getting a license here is way harder than in the Philippines. Yes, there is a written exam and behind the wheel too. Before taking the exam, you need to prepare ahead of time. You need the California Driver's Handbook. You need to read and review because the questions that will appear are not simply the traffic signs. Some questions are situational. And believe me when I say that some really fail. It took me two tries to pass it. 

The behind the wheel test is something that should not be taken for granted because it is a legit one. An examiner will ride the car with you and he/she will evaluate your driving based on the scoresheet. And many Filipinos fail the test, especially those who come here and just take it, without reviewing the handbook or going to a driving school.

And now, I am so happy to share with you that I am now a ceritified California driver. I passed the test today, thank God.