Let me tell you a story on how I got my driver's license ( cue How I Met Your Mother theme song)
On a cozy Thursday morning, I woke up to the sound of a voicemail left on my phone. It was the voice of the corporate recruiter who hired me 2 days ago on a job I really wanted so bad. It wasn't good news. Our room was so quiet, that my husband also heard what the recruiter said - we need your driver's license. We were both in a state of panic. The first words from Tim's mouth was "Oh my God" and I was in a state of shock. I'm glad that I was off for 2 days, so I wasn't able to hand over my notice of resignation from my other company when the new company called me up. I was this close to being jobless, and I'm very thankful that I didn't have to go to work for the past 2 days and put myself in a very bad situation. Tim and I jumped out of bed and we had to come up with a solution asap. I'm glad that my husband is clever and intelligent enough to come up with a brilliant solution - and that is to enroll in driving school asap and get my license asap. If I was the only person to encounter that scenario, I would've passed out and regret that I didn't get license months ago. My husband was able to talk to a driving instructor and he made me talk to him too so I will know what to do. He knew I'm a Filipino and he was telling me that I need to get a learner's permit and it will take me 2-3 weeks to get it. The new job wanted me to send them my DL information on the 29th of December. I was beginning to feel hopeless. I think I have made more than 5 phone calls to the new company that day and with the help of prayers, they held the position for me until I get my license. If they didn't overlook the fact that I only have a state ID and not a Driver's license on the form I filled out during the interview, I wouldn't have been even considered for the position. They already offered me the job, and then realized that I don't have a license, so I think they had to make adjustments on what happened. The driver's license wasn't on their online job posting in the first place, that's why I didn't hesitate to apply. It was only when I got to their office, where I saw a field for driver's license.
I also found out that I need to study the Florida Driver's Manual before I can get my permit, so I had to wait another 2-3 days before I went to the DMV and get one. I haven't studied for an "exam" since my TEFL course in 2008, and reading the manual and actually understanding it took some time for me to get used to. I took a lot of naps in between pages until I finally was in the mood to read it in one sitting and understand what I was reading. I went to the DMV on my next day off and I was actually reviewing the handbook while waiting for my turn. I looked around to see if there I was anyone else reviewing and to my horror, NO ONE was doing what I was doing. I closed my book and pretended nothing happened. I was called in for my exam (sidenote: the guy who assisted me with my permit liked my name, so he wasn't so grumpy when it was my turn to give him my requirements.) I took my exam and I got the first question wrong. I felt my heart almost going up to my esophagus 'coz I was only allowed to commit 5 mistakes during the test. A miracle happened 'coz I got the rest of the questions right. The road signs were the easiest, the road rules sucked. So I thought I'd be waiting weeks for my permit, but the guy who assisted me after my exam gave me 2 options- either I get my learner's permit or go take the road test that day. I was surprised! I of course, had to take the first option 'coz #1 I don't have a car and #2 Uh, I obviously don't know how to drive. Yes, at 27 I don't know how to drive so shut your face. =D That driving instructor didn't know what he was talking about in the first place. He just assumed that since I'm an immigrant, I don't have my green card and things will be tough for me. He was wrong 'coz I already have my green card and I have my state ID, so getting the permit was very easy for me to get.
My husband had to call another instructor on the 27th of December 'coz the first instructor wasn't returning his call. Maybe he wasn't interested 'coz we didn't sign up for their $600 class. They were just after the money. Good thing Tim was able to call another driving school and the driving instructor, Al, made it happen. He picked me up that same day and I was off to driving class that afternoon. He was intimidating at first, but I got comfortable with him when I was already able to adjust to his unique personality. He wasn't an instructor for those with weak hearts. He won't tell you BS if he knows you need to improve on your driving skills. My class was so limited due to financial reasons and time constraints. I don't think I would want my husband to spend $600 on driving class alone. So I did my best to learn during my 10-hour class and went to my road test on the 4th of January.I KNEW I wasn't 100% ready with the road test, but I also knew that I had to get my DL asap or else I will lose that job opportunity. It was very stressful for me and my husband. I still had to work on my turns and I even practiced how to park that same day I was taking the test.
I failed on my first road test 'coz I was really nervous that I even forgot where to steer the wheel when I was backing out of the parking space. Then the major problem was going 20mph and stopping- I was on the grass when I stopped. *insert loud laugh here* So the grumpy examiner failed me that day. It was a stressful day 'coz there were a lot of cars lined up to take the test. I went home with a broken heart and I even cried 'coz I felt so down. I'm glad that my husband was there - even if he was stranded for an hour at the Interstate 'coz his car broke down too, he was there to comfort me and encourage me to do my best the next day. I had to pay my instructor another $125 for the use of his car and him taking me to the DMV the next day. I had a little review the next day and I prayed so hard that night and before my exam- I prayed that I will have a nice examiner and that I will pass the exam 'coz we can't afford to waste money on something that I can actually control. It was an amazing day 'coz I was the only person who was there for the road test and my examiner? HE IS THE BEST! He made me feel so comfortable with the whole process and always reminded me to stay on the road and not to feel nervous. I was able to execute everything he asked me to do 'coz he never intimidated me. Then before I got out of the car he wrote -11 PASSED. I got deducted 11 points 'coz I swerved and I didn't stop correctly before doing the 3-point turn. I wanted to do somersaults when I saw the word "passed". I got my license after 5 minutes and I was more than thrilled to tell my husband I passed. I could not believe that it only took me 3 days of 10-hour lessons to get that license! I went home, said a prayer and I was overwhelmed that tears started to flow from my eyes while I was saying a thank you prayer. God is so amazing and He used people to encourage me, support me, and make things possible for me. I have realized that beautiful things happen in His time.
I am humbled with this entire journey and I came to realize that I can never depend on myself alone. Nothing beats the wonderful feeling of having your prayers answered. I have a great husband, wonderful family and friends, and an amazing-such an amazing God.
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| From learner's license to the real deal! |
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