On Driving and License

So I've familiarized myself with the nuances of driving. I've taken driving lessons. I got my Student Driving Permit a month ago. So now, I am ready to take the next step--get my Driving License! Well non professional yet because I am not that much of an "expert driver" yet.

I was pretty nervous because I've heard that some actually fail the Land Transportation Office Driver's Exam. My sister helped me with that, though. She turned to Google and sought some reviewers of the exam. Well, fortunately, there are some sites that have 'mock driver's exams' of the LTO. But I was still not very confident because I never perfected the mock exams. But I went ahead anyway because if I procrastinated (the way I am used to), I might not have the courage to do it.

So 9 o'clock, I set out to LTO along Quimpo Boulevard. As expected I was met by men asking if I were going to apply for license or registration. I just kept on walking to the LTO Office. I felt relieved upon seeing that the Officer of the Day seated at the Officer's table was some familiar face (but not the name) from my own barangay. I went directly to him, who then patiently instructed me what to do.

Step 1: I got an application form at the licensing department. You can't miss it since there is a big sign indicating Licensing and Step 1. I filled out the form and went back to the Officer of the Day who told me to get a Medical Exam. (I actually thought I would be thoroughly examined.) A good Samaritan went with me (even though I ignored him--or at least, I tried to), and showed me the way. It was just outside the LTO. There is a small pathway at the back of the Insurance Offices just beside the exit gate of the LTO. The Office was located on the second floor of the building--the door to the right on the landing of the second floor. There, I saw a line of tables. I was led to the first table where I paid and was issued a receipt of PhP100.00. Then I was sent to the next table where I was interviewed about my medical situation and physical fitness. And then, my blood pressure was taken. Last stop was a Doctor who had further questions about my health. That done, I was back the the LTO.

Step 2. I submitted my papers--filled out application form, student permit with the official receipt, and my medical exam papers. Then started my more-than-an-hour-long wait. Step 2 is where my picture for the license and my signature would be taken. The lady announcer kept explaining on the mic that their system was down so please be patient, blah blah blah. After finally being called and my picture taken, I thought I would immediately go and pay to the cashier, but surprise! I still had to wait another period of time. At least it wasn't another hour. Just a bit closer.

Step 3. Pay PhP168.00 for the exam. That done, I was directed to the seminar hall where I expected to find a live lecturer. Instead I found a television set that played documentaries on LTO and driving. I was a little bit panicky, though because the documentaries covered only some of the things I had encountered in the mock exams. And then the guard approached the participants and told us to just go have our lunch as it was already past 12 o'clock. And to be back by 1 pm. Then I took the test in Tagalog (because that was what I practiced). We were given a maximum of an hour to finish the 40-item test. I took the test seriously so I finished it in 20 minutes. Others finished in less! Whoah talk about pressure!

Went back to the hall and waited some more. This time, wait for the result of the test. If your name were called and you were instructed to go back to the seminar hall (where the examination was conducted) it means you failed. I was called, and was asked to proceed to the Practical Driving Test Division. Yey! (I thought we still had to do a practical driving test) It was inside the licensing office where I was interviewed about what I would be driving. That done, back to the main hall. My name was called again and I was asked to pay PhP417.38 for my license.

Step 4. Got the receipt of my payment and gave it to the woman at window 4. Then I...wait again. I finally got my license at 3:30 pm. But it was not a card because LTO didn't have any available card yet, so it was like a student permit, but at least it was already a license though a temporary one. And I can legally drive without a chaperon! Yey!