Driving in Belgum
I cant drive in Belgium.
That’s a fact.
The first time I came here, I went to the city hall because they said that normally you can change your national driving license with the Belgium one.
But if you’re Indonesian, you better forget about it.
When other people asked me why didn’t they accept Indonesian Driving License here in Belgium, I would say something like ‘Oh, yeah.., I guess because we drive on the left side (or according to kang mas jo, it’s the wrong side) of the street, unlike you guys here’ .
Luckily they never asked back ‘ Then why do they let the English people drive here ? ‘ (The English drive also on ‘the wrong’ side of the street like Indonesian).
I guess deep down inside, I knew the more correct answer it’s not because of the side we drive, but more like HOW the Indonesian drive.. and HOW we get our licenses.
Too bad, the Belgian government found out about this !
So, I have no driving lisence here. Therefore, I cant drive.
Then I searched for more information about how to get a Belgian Driving License. Jo told me that most people take a course (both for theory and practice) , and it’s extremely expensive. More than 1000 euro. I said ‘ Fuck it, I’m not gonna pay that amount of money to the Belgian people. It’s such a waste !’ Think about the money you can spend from it. I better use it to go to Indonesia, or Rome, or spend them all in clothes and shoes ! So I hang on. Without driving license.
Then I went to Indonesia 2 years ago, and found out about ‘International driving license’. So I made one and use it to drive here.
After a while, I found out that the International driving license is only valid for tourist, not a permanent resident like me. Beside, if I keep using it, I should renew it every year since it’s expired after a year.
Finally, I swallowed my stubbornness and decided to get the right driving license. But I still dont wanna join the course. I wanna do it on my own.
So Jo bought me a book called ‘Driving in Belgium’. In there you can study all the things about the rules here. You have to memorize everything in it and then follow the theory test. Once you pass the theory exam, you get a provisional driving license where you can learn to drive on the street during the day with a pointed instructor for at least 9 months, then you can take the practice exam. If you pass the last exam, you get your driving license for the rest of your life (provided the police doesnt take it).
Yup, it’s difficult and frustrating. No wonder that getting a driving license is such a big deal here. Even Halmark make cards for it (So people can congratulate you just like on your birthday). Jo told me that about 50percent of Belgian don’t pass on their first exam. There was even a woman who had to take it for more than 30 times, and still failed. Well, try to do that in your second language ! That’ll make things even worse ! Yesterday was my first theory exam. I had to answer 50 questions and I can only make 9 mistakes.
I made 12.
So, I failed.
Damn it was difficult. Maybe the most difficult test I’ve ever had in my life ! Honestly !
All the questions there…. I mean, really ! ! !
Here’s one example of the question :
- If the road is very wide, is it necessary to be separated with line ?
WHO THE FUCK CARES ? ? ? ?
I mean, what kind of question is that ? I apply for a driving license, as a road user.. not as a police or whoever has to deal with ‘how to make a road that safe and secure’. Isn’t it THEIR business to put the lines or signs or lights or whatever they think necessary on the road ?
HUH !
Plus, one more thing that really gets to my nerves.
The Belgian has soooo many traffics rules and signs. They even got warnings for warnings. Something like ‘ Carefull, in 150m from here, you will have another traffic signs.’
What the hell was THAT?
Double HUH!!!
Although frankly, I must admit that as a mother I kindda relieved that they dont just give driving license easily like in Indonesia. At least I feel more secure, that people who can drive here, really CAN drive. Although it’s not a guarantee, but it creates a safer environment. At least on the street.
It also gives me an idea. May be I should advise the Indonesian government to apply such a system there. Provided there is no corruption or bribing, etc, I bet that it can help to minimize the traffic in Jakarta. Because there wont be anyone driving anymore !
Hehehehee ! ! !
