A Lesson in Getting Driving Lessons
I went to the Gulf Driving School (behind the Nabina Showroom, Airport Road) on Monday last week. My husband accompanied me but they just stayed in the car. I stepped inside the office at 6:30 pm but they weren’t accepting applications anymore although they’re supposed to be open until 7 pm. But that’s just fine because I actually forgot the documents that I needed. The next day, Tuesday, we came much earlier, before 5 pm. The guy was already processing my application when I told him that I only need to take the half course that is 12 days for QR 620. At first, he told me that everyone takes the whole course, 25 days for QR 1800, then I explained that I already knew how to drive and that I have a Philippine license. After taking a good look at my license, he then said “you go to counter no.1 of the Traffic Department in Madinat Kalifa”, as he was showing me the portion that needed to be signed. Obviously, proceeding there would only be futile as it was already past 5 pm, so we decided to go the next day.
Wednesday, we got to the traffic department at 4 pm. Surprisingly, there was only a lady waiting and 2 personnel at the counter. So I thought that it was a good sign and that this could be “it”. I went straight to counter no. 1, gave the guy my documents and my license, then he looked at me and said “you come back tomorrow morning, the person who signs this, is not here”. I wanted to shout “what!!!” but there was nothing I could do. I just had to be back again the next day. My husband and I were so disappointed at how things turned out. Three days of trying to get things done and still nothing was accomplished. I just wished the guy from the driving school had told me about it but that’s just it… they don’t give a damn. We just decided to go to Popeye’s to forget how frustrating the day had been.
Thursday, got there at 10 am and by golly there were so many people waiting, most of them guys. First, I had to get a number, I got 191 and counter 1 was just serving 150. I was so worried that I won’t be able to make it before they close again. Luckily, the number skipped 12 numbers up. I guess those guys left and couldn’t wait anymore. Then goes the waiting game… there were not enough seats and no one was gentleman enough to offer me one which is just ok since I didn’t expect any special treatment anyway. In comparison to Saudi, women always get special treatment. We didn’t have to wait in long queues. In Saudi, being a woman can also be an advantage. Anyway, while waiting, there was “smell” everywhere I turned. It’s like someone sprayed a “body odor-scented” body spray or air spray all over the place. Then no one ever said, not even the guy from the driving school that I would need a copy of my license. But fortunately it pays to be observant and I saw the others bringing a photocopy of their license. It’s a good thing that there was photocopying service within the compound so I still had enough time to have mine copied. Then when I came back, I finally got to sit down. There was this man in his forties beside me. He got number 189, when he saw mine was 191, he exchanged with me. I know, it didn’t make that much of difference but I really appreciate his gesture. It was really kind of him to exchange his number with mine. So after 4 days of frustration and waiting, I was able to have my license validated and my paper signed. Then that afternoon I got to finally process my application. Although I still have to wait 45 days to get a schedule for my driving lessons, I’m just so relieved that this waiting game was over and I have yet another one to come.
