Vicious Circles

Let me tell you a little story…

I took Matthew to the Department of Licensing to take the written exam for his driving learner’s permit.  Sounds easy, right?  Sadly for me, half way there, I remembered that I had forgotten his birth certificate at home.  

We turned around, drove all the way back home, and grabbed it.

You never know how long you’ll have to wait at the DOL, but when we walked in, we were first in line.  How nice!

The GRUMPY greeter asked me to state my business.  I said that my son was there to take his written test for his driving permit.  She gruffly informed me that DOL  no longer administers driving tests. She handed me a piece of paper with a list of driving schools who do administer the test.  She then promptly looked at the next person in line and stated, “ NEXT.”   

If I had questions {which I did} she was not about to answer them. 

I stepped aside and looked over the list.  There were some driving schools that were on our way home, so I had Matt call to see if he could come take the test. 

They really don’t make it very easy!  First we had to create an account on line with DOL, then we had to create an on line account with the driving school, and pay the testing fee on line.  Once confirmation was received by the driving school, we could then set an appointment. 

Problem:  Matt needs to present photo ID to the driving school.  Matt doesn’t have a photo ID.  He does not have a student ID card {because we homeschool}, he does not have a passport, he does not have a driver’s license {DUH}, he does not have a concealed weapons permit {another DUH}.

Solution:  Go back to DOL {in the morning because now it is closed}, apply for a Washington state identification card, present his photo ID to take the test, and be issued... a photo ID.

I think I’m dizzy!

{To avoid this crazy mess when it’s Hannah’s turn, we had her get her ID too.}

 P.S.

Matt passed his written exam with a 100%. The driving school uploads the results to DOL.  Back we go to DOL to get his permit.  The permit supercedes the ID card... which is now void.