Learning to drive again in Manila
Who says it’s too late to learn and refresh basic skills such as driving at a later age? My first attempt to learn driving was when I was 21. Fresh off university with no car ownership plan, just learn for the sake, maybe I get to have a car if I land a good-paying job or a company that provides. Of course, that did not happen. But I got to experience driving a manual car in the heart of bustling Manila. The first time I got onto a busy road was simply unforgettable. It is probably similar to the same sensation when you cliff-jump or bungee. It is a push beyond my comfort zone and there is a strange feeling that I might spiral out of control or some vehicle would and voila, collision. The thoughts of a bumbling, novice learner. But I made it through, although, I was not able to practise later as I did not have my own car. As a result, I did not bother applying for a proper driver’s license, like what’s the point.
Back on the wheel 30 years later
Fast forward to 30 years. Such a long time, and so much has changed and transpired in between those years for me. I left Manila, changed jobs, got married and settled in a city that runs seamlessly on public transport. Yes, that’s Hong Kong. I travel a lot also for my work, hence there really is no need to drive. But on my last recent trips to Manila, I thought about driving again like it was a goal that was unfulfilled. A stalled and uncompleted project. I found an opportunity when I left my full-time job last year and sort of enjoying an indefinite sabbatical. And so, I pursued my driving yet again, at 50. Yes, I know that it sounds quite late, but so what. I enrolled at a local driving school nearby where I stay, and the rest was a story of learning and discovery.
I attended a compulsory driving theory class with students in their 20’s and above, driving all sorts of vehicles – motorbikes, tricycles, trucks, what-have-you. With most of them so young, I somewhat felt out of place. But I kept up. I passed all theory exams and did my 12-hour hands-on drive practice. I would ride a motorbike with my instructor to fetch our learning car in the mall’s parking lot, nearby. It was whoa – quite fun already! We would go all the way to Marikina via Marcos Highway from where I was in Ortigas, to do my practice. While I hardly go to this side of town and let alone drive, it was certainly an adventure. My instructors were cool and trusting, although I know they have their brake controls on their side, if at all. But the four-hour drives went fast, like I am happy to do more. There were also times when I had to keep taking the same road with complex curves and turns, so I can learn the art of smooth turns.
D-Day: Driver’s License Application
As my time at the driving school had to end, it was time to face reality and supposedly, the dreaded driver’s permit application. It is a big deal for any learner, as we have heard all sorts of horror stories. One is the long waiting time such that it can take the whole day, allegedly. The failure rates of the applicants were also astounding. How hard could it get, I thought. I had a young relative who kept failing and a staff of my brother-in-law, who missed two questions and failed, he never re-applied again out of trauma in processing the application. But then I did my due diligence. I studied both the online reviewers and what seemed like a thousand-page online manual. The scope is huge, I wondered what the questions would be, which are now in digital format instead of paper-based.
On application day, I appeared early in a recommended LTO (Land Transportation Office) branch in Manila, where it is supposedly less busy. It was thankfully, and my wait was less than two hours. That is a supposedly a win already. The office is ok – well-ventilated and conveniently located inside a local mall. Jollibee was a few steps away, along with a few more eateries. Another win I guess, in case of sudden pangs of hunger hit me from the long wait.
After a series of calls for registration, payments, photos- exam time came. The much-dreaded theory part. There was an air-conditioned room with maybe 15 of us, or less. The desktops were outdated, and it is normal for them to hang and get stuck. Mine worked and when it came to exam page, I was stunned with the complex and really perplexing technical questions. Like what?! Too much for a beginner, I thought. But then it might be a good idea to set the bar high and require extensive knowledge for students before being granted a license. I just wished they impose this across the board for both old and new drivers alike so there is consistency on the road. I think it is a nearly impossible ask, “dream on” as my friend tells me.
And so, I read most questions twice, a lot of them I used logic and instinct as I hardly recall having read them in the books. While I clearly struggled for someone who studied, I now understand the high failure rates of exam-takers. I braced when I answered the last question, the 40th, before I press submit. The passing rate is high at 75%, which means, I need to score 30 and above. Like my life depends on it, I pressed submit and just hoped for the best. If I fail, I can re-take the exam anytime. But if I failed again, I have to retake after a year and do whole student learning process all over again. Like oh my God!
Nerve-racking exam results – did I pass?
And so, the exam result was instant, and it flashes before you, along with the score and where you had your answers wrong. In my shock, I saw 32 as my score, I passed! Although, I did not ace the exam, I was still quite ecstatic especially at the thought that I did not have to come back and repeat, more than being able to drive a car. Isn’t funny? But I was saddened for a lot of my fellow exam-takers who did not pass. I know they want the license badly to be able to work as utility drivers. One simply said, “not my lucky day” and shrugged it off with a grin and a smile. What positive attitude! I would have felt differently and maybe acted a lot less cool. Nonetheless, I made it a point to feedback the examiner about the unnecessarily rigorous questions that do not really reflect the essentials. To which she just said rather indifferently, “but you passed.”
There were not a lot of us left for practical exam as most had to go home, so this part was treated with less rigour. It seems like the failure rate for this part is pretty low. It was a quick drive around the vicinity with a highlight on pre-drive checks, constant mirror and traffic checks, and of course parking. It was ok.
And so, my day at the LTO ended on a high with my well-earned laminated card. My Non-professional Driver’s License, that will enable me to drive to the nearby malls anytime as well as out-of-town destinations like Tagaytay and beyond. 🙂