It was a long journey that we started in September 2021. Since the government closes down from mid-December to mid-January our first appointment was scheduled for January 20 , 2022. That date was canceled due to Covid concerns and rescheduled for January 24.
Bonaire has some odd rules for this process. If you have a valid US drivers license, only the practical driving test is required. If not, you have to take a written test. Thank God I didn't have to do that!
Before you take the test, you have to take lessons because of their different driving methods. We learned three-point turns, backing around corners, backing into parking places, starting (up and down hill) on hills using a 4- step process using a parking brake so you don't roll backwards, and turning from a one way street. The road signs are different here and they expect you to know what they mean as well. You also have to declare if you want a license for an automatic or a standard transmission. You are not allowed to drive a standard shift with out a special license. For the test, the requirement is to wear long paints, long sleeves, close toed shoes. This is why I am covered from head to toe with clothes in the picture outside the testing office.
I spent two weeks practicing, two weeks worrying about the test and two weeks of sleepless nights wondering if I could pass the test.
This was an expensive process:
The pleasure of testing $55
Classes $35
Doctor health form $15
Car rental for testing $65
Actual license card $16.76
Total $172.76 (x2)
The test took 15 minutes. I am now back to driving like a crazy woman...no turn signals, go fast, pass all golf carts and bicycles, yield to no one. Actually, Rick usually drives.
Don't forget the "swerve once to warm em" technique!
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ReplyDeleteCongrats on passing the driving test!!
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