Woes of a Driver-to-Be

Learning to drive is an expensive affair in Singapore.

Finally, after years of procrastination, I dragged my sorry little arse down Singapore Safety Driving Centre and enrolled myself for the Provisional Driving Licence (PDL).

Attended an enrolment briefing with Wayne and am confused over the procedures, the charges, the classes, how the system works etc etc. It was good that we had a really helpful lady, Angela, who attended to us and despite the blank look on my face half of the time, she was patient enough to walk us thru the entire process. I wonder, how many times she has to explain the same old system over and over again, considering that there's 23 enrolment briefing sessions within a typical working day. Split the sessions up among 5 staff, that's still almost 4-5 sessions per person! Wow! No wonder Angela's so clear in explaining the process it's almost robotic. I bet every counter staff probably have the entire system memorised in their amazing brains, tested by the upper management just to make sure they know what they are explaining. Makes me feel like a retard when I ask them questions.

Gosh, I really find the system here complicated. Took me the entire afternoon to sink in the facts and lesson charges. Amazes me how folks here learn driving! It's really darn complex! Am looking at my brother in a brand new light now. He learnt his driving in Singapore and passed on his first attempt. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Gosh, I sure do miss the good old Victoria Driving Centre @ Lygon.

The lessons here are really, really costly and I am not exaggerating. Felt so much poorer after forking out the payment for 13 driving lessons and the miscellaneous administrative fees. Am told that I have to go for a minimum of 25 classes before I am qualified enough for the practical test. Why oh why did I not get my licence when I was in Australia!!! Someone persecute me now.

Oh well, no point crying over spilled milk. So yes, Lina is FINALLY going to learn driving (and trying very hard to forget how completely broke she is now).