Finally found time to blog. =)
Took my driving test on Monday. It was a truly horrible experience. =/ My test was scheduled to start at 10.30am. And supposedly it will take no more than 2 hours to complete the test, inclusive of waiting time. However, my test took a whopping 6 hours. By the time my test ended at 4.30pm, I was already half-dead from the sweltering heat and im
My advice to all would-be drivers taking the test any time soon: please bring along sufficient water and be prepared to wait for at least 3-4 hours. It is best if you can bring along a book / magazine to occupy yourself. Otherwise don't take the test anytime soon. It is the peak season now so avoid it if you can.
But well of course, who wants to wait for a few more months to obtain that license before he/she can start driving? I'm sure most of us are getting impatient for that day to arrive. =D But the driving test can potentially become a huge stumbling block. Passing it is an issue. Being able to endure the harsh conditions is another issue.
The waiting area was located outdoors. No air-conditioning, minimal fan, plus the sweltering heat and suffocating humidity, it was a perfect condition for one to feel utterly frustrated and pissed. Add to that the constant mental stress of taking an examination. Multiply that by a few hours. By then time would seem to literally slow to a crawl...
The whole examination process was a typical affair in this country - filled with bureaucracy and inefficiencies. From my arrival at the test center to verifying my results, there were at least 20 over steps that I had to go through. And each step involved a waiting time of no less than 20 minutes as there were long queues everywhere. Somehow the same officer at the counter had to multi-task: handling the registration as well as the verification of results. I simply don't understand why they can't have two officers at the counter, each one handling one task.
The queuing experience was also horrifying. When the registration started, everyone suddenly turned into uncivilised beasts as they tried to out-rush one another to get to the front, pushing and jostling all the way... exactly like those exaggerated scenes that one would see in a comedy movie. And you don't need to be thick-skinned to cut queue because jumping the queue is the norm there. If you don't cut queue, you simply get pushed to the back and you prolong your own suffering. =/
Then next came the actual test. There were 2 sections of the test - the main road and the 3 items, tested separately (using different cars). According to sources, the passing rate for the main road section for that day was a mere 10-20%. And it seemed quite true, based on my observation - if the candidate passed, he or she would be the one driving the car back to the parking lot, whereas if the candidate failed, the examiner would be the one driving the car back - most of the time the examiners were the ones behind the wheel as the cars returned to the parking bay. I began to wonder why it was so hard to pass the test - was the problem with the candidates or was it with the examiners?
The 3 items section was easier to pass, but the process was also not hassle-free. After you drive up the slope and park there, you have to raise your hand out of the window really high if you don't want to get a harsh scolding from the officer seated on the observation post. There were many ladies who were scolded simply because they did not raise their hands high enough. Then do not attempt to start driving before the officer gave his permission - again you risk getting blasted by him. His attitude simply added on to our frustration and stress. I could understand that the officer was also under tremendous stress - he had to watch all 3 items at the same time, with 3 different candidates doing one item each at any one time. And he also had to endure the heat and the long working hours. But I guess his attitude could have been slightly better, at least he could try to be less intimidating. Alternatively they could assign more officers to administer the test, like one for each item. The present system is just totally screwed up!
The only consolation that I got from my experience was that I passed my driving test! That means I don't need to go through all these hell again. Will be getting my license soon! =D *Happy*
The waiting area was located outdoors. No air-conditioning, minimal fan, plus the sweltering heat and suffocating humidity, it was a perfect condition for one to feel utterly frustrated and pissed. Add to that the constant mental stress of taking an examination. Multiply that by a few hours. By then time would seem to literally slow to a crawl...
The whole examination process was a typical affair in this country - filled with bureaucracy and inefficiencies. From my arrival at the test center to verifying my results, there were at least 20 over steps that I had to go through. And each step involved a waiting time of no less than 20 minutes as there were long queues everywhere. Somehow the same officer at the counter had to multi-task: handling the registration as well as the verification of results. I simply don't understand why they can't have two officers at the counter, each one handling one task.
The queuing experience was also horrifying. When the registration started, everyone suddenly turned into uncivilised beasts as they tried to out-rush one another to get to the front, pushing and jostling all the way... exactly like those exaggerated scenes that one would see in a comedy movie. And you don't need to be thick-skinned to cut queue because jumping the queue is the norm there. If you don't cut queue, you simply get pushed to the back and you prolong your own suffering. =/
Then next came the actual test. There were 2 sections of the test - the main road and the 3 items, tested separately (using different cars). According to sources, the passing rate for the main road section for that day was a mere 10-20%. And it seemed quite true, based on my observation - if the candidate passed, he or she would be the one driving the car back to the parking lot, whereas if the candidate failed, the examiner would be the one driving the car back - most of the time the examiners were the ones behind the wheel as the cars returned to the parking bay. I began to wonder why it was so hard to pass the test - was the problem with the candidates or was it with the examiners?
The 3 items section was easier to pass, but the process was also not hassle-free. After you drive up the slope and park there, you have to raise your hand out of the window really high if you don't want to get a harsh scolding from the officer seated on the observation post. There were many ladies who were scolded simply because they did not raise their hands high enough. Then do not attempt to start driving before the officer gave his permission - again you risk getting blasted by him. His attitude simply added on to our frustration and stress. I could understand that the officer was also under tremendous stress - he had to watch all 3 items at the same time, with 3 different candidates doing one item each at any one time. And he also had to endure the heat and the long working hours. But I guess his attitude could have been slightly better, at least he could try to be less intimidating. Alternatively they could assign more officers to administer the test, like one for each item. The present system is just totally screwed up!
The only consolation that I got from my experience was that I passed my driving test! That means I don't need to go through all these hell again. Will be getting my license soon! =D *Happy*
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