Learners Permit--Two Times at the DMV, First Son Edition

It is 12 noon on a Thursday and I have arrived back from the Dept of Motor Vehicles with my 15 year old and I just told Hubs in all seriousness that I needed a Bloody Mary.

And this was only for the learner's permit.  I have not even taken him in the vehicle yet in a deserted parking lot.  Let's backtrack 30 days ago.

Thirty days ago school had finished and it was Memorial Weekend and we parents were busy buying and preparing for last minute shopping and packing for the 3-week road trip starting June 1st.  Eldest was supposed to be preparing for the learner's permit test, to be taken the morning they left for the road trip.  On the Tuesday after Memorial Day I found out I was being laid off and the next day was going to be his permit test day and then the road trip would begin (learner's permit test is taken on the day you turn 15 or later).  

I think Eldest thought since his peers passed it (for some it took two tries) that he could wing it.

Eldest did not pass. 

Hubs was grumbling that he thought Eldest would be able to help him drive on the road trip.  I am not sure what planet Hubs was on, because the only practice driving Eldest has done was around the neighborhood two months ago (without a learners permit) and Eldest drove up on someone's lawn and missed a fire hydrant by 3 inches and then had to use a rake to even out the tread marks in the grass.

And I have to say that the worker at the desk at the DMV was so stereotypical cold and rude (Eldest described her "as having no soul") that her role could have been played by an actress on Saturday Night Live--she was that ugly inside and out and I say that because she was so, so rude and cold.  Have no clue why she works with the public. (note: a sign behind the workers lists their motto includes having to smile and be courteous).

NOTE-- Eldest posted about his fail on Facebook so he is not too devastated and told 70 relatives at a reunion last weekend and knows I am writing this).

Second NOTE: While in Florida for the family reunion all of his college age cousins who live in Florida told him that they were able to take the learner's permit at home online, and out of 5 of them only 1 did not cheat--in fact one sister took her brother's online test for him.

For the past few days Eldest has taken many online practice tests and I quizzed him on speed limits and other rules.  The test is 20 questions on road signs (which he aced) and 20 questions of rules (of which he previously failed).  Yesterday I did errands with my youngest son and as we drove around town I found myself saying things like this out loud, "You see, when turning left on a green light sometimes it is hard to see around the car facing you opposite who is trying to turn left also.  Do not be intimidated by an impatient driver behind you." And then Youngest, the only other person in the car, would reply, "Umm, Mom, why are you telling me this--I am only 10 years old."

At the DMV today we waited for his number to be called….and of 12 workers there, he was called up to the window of the same horrible lady again.  She looked him up on her system and says, "Last time after you failed you just left rather than waiting to speak to someone so you don't get credit for the sign test that you passed so you have to take that part again too."  (not that that was ever mentioned previously).  He is pretty confident about the sign part of the test, but here this bitch had to be all ugly right off the top.  I really never use that word but you would agree with me it is so apt. When he was waiting to take his test he watched said  worker answer a lady's question very rudely and then roll her eyes.  

The area in which he then took his online test is on the far left of the room in an area that is partitioned off but not separate, and everyone with a crying baby sat right next to the test takers.  There were a couple hundred more chairs in rows 50 yards to the right but this is where all the babies were including a husband/wife with a 4 week old hungry baby.  As you can tell, I was a wreck for him.  I am surprised that I did not break out in hives.  He later said luckily the screaming babies noises increased only during his last two test questions.  The lady next to him was mumbling about the unbelievable loud babies.

Thank God he passed the test so I--that is I mean "he"--would not have to come back here again.  Until a year and a day from today for the actual driver's license.  The whole experience has been a good learning experience for us all.  I need to chill.  He learned about how or how to not deal with the public in a future job of his. We had a good discussion on way home about how important a hostess or receptionist type job is in setting the mood for an establishment. 

When we got home I described the mean lady to Hubs and I got all worked up and Hubs reminded me that it was over and to calm down.  So glad he passed.....