Today was a big day!
I got my driver’s license.
It’s official, as of today, I am a licensed driver in the State of Indiana!
It took a lot of heartaches to get it done, but now that I have my license in hand, I am very happy.
As I reported early, I was going through extreme disappointment when I was unable to get an Indiana Driver’s license.
I thought of “moving”
At the bottom of the disappointment, I even considered moving to a different state for just long enough to get a driver’s license.
A friend notified me that he told a DMV employee in his home state, Colorado, about my situation, and the question that the DMV employee asked him was – “does he live in Indiana?” So, it appears that Indiana is known for making it tough to get a driver’s license.
I looked into relocating to another state long enough to establish residence and get a driver’s license, then moving back to Indiana and getting my Indiana license that way. But, it would be costly and mean taking time away from my family. I did not want to do that, and it did not seem like it would be easy.
Decided to go to Kokomo to apply
One day, my friend and I were talking and I decided to go apply for a driver’s license in Kokomo, a larger city nearby. Here in Logansport, they seemed to be going out of their way to make it difficult for me to get a driver’s license. I could not figure out why.
We felt that a larger BMV office, in Kokomo, may have more experience dealing with drivers from outside the country, and it might be possible there.
The night before going to Kokomo
On the night before our planned trip to Kokomo, I decided that I should gather every kind of ID, ever record related to driving, etc, and bring them all with me to apply. I wanted to be prepared, and have every document that they could possibly ask for.
As I started gathering documents and ID cards, something happened.
I was shuffling through a pile and there it was. My Philippine Driver’s License! I could not believe it, I was sure I had thrown it away.
My Philippine Driver’s license had expired in 2018, but I had been told at the BMV that if I had that driver’s license, even if it was expired, that would be all I needed to get an Indiana driver’s license. I was ecstatic.
Before moving from the Philippines, I remember sitting at my desk and thinking that I would never need that license again, so I was going to cut it up and throw it away. Feyma says she told me that I should hold on to it because I might need it. I am happy that I always do what Feyma suggests, and apparently, I kept it!
So, we went back to the Logansport BMV
Instead of going to Kokomo, my friend and I decided to try Logansport office one more time since I now had my old driver’s license in hand.
I walked in, told them I wanted to get a driver’s license, showed them all of my documents (including that expired Philippine License). They said: “OK, no problem, go over to computer #2 and take the written test.” I was so happy!
I walked over, did the written test and passed! Next, we scheduled my practical driving skills test for today, Tuesday, June 4. I went in this morning, drove for the examiner, and at the end, she told me I passed my test and would be issued a driver’s license!
When I walked out of the BMV office, I had my paper copy of the driver’s license, and the plastic one should be in my hands next week!
Time for a test drive
After having my license in hand, my friend took me to Kokomo to look at a car that I am interested in. I found the car for sale on the Internet.
The car is very nice. I drove it and the ride was nice.
I had one other vehicle I wanted to test drive, which was located in Lafayette, Indiana. When we got to Lafayette and went to the dealer, I was just about to take that vehicle for a test drive, got in the car, and the first thing I said to the salesman was:
Does it smell like cigarette smoke in here?
I am not a smoker and don’t care to drive around smelling cigarettes.
The salesman was honest and straightforward. His response to my question was: “Yep, that is what I thought when I got in too.”
I told him that I was not interested in the vehicle, and said goodbye.
Buying a car is priority #1 now
At this point, I am pretty sure that we will buy the car that I drove in Kokomo. Having transportation will be a big change in my life, and Feyma’s too! We’ve been here for almost 5 months now, and transportation has been our major problem issue.
The public transportation is pretty good here, but in the USA you really need to have a car, or your life will be difficult.
So, in the next couple of days, I have to arrange for car insurance, and for financing for the car. I want to check the financing from my bank, and I will compare what they offer to what I can get from the Car Dealer, and choose whichever one is best.
Ah, what a day. This day will remain a highlight of our return to the USA. I am very happy!
So happy for you Pare Bob! This development will surely make your life more convenient!
Thanks, Pare. Because of my vision problems, I never thought I’d be behind the wheel again, but my eyes have improved a lot in recent months. It will be nice to have the freedom to travel around!
Good for you Bob, glad you now have a USA drivers license ! . I am surprised that a dealer would sell a used car with cigarette smell in it. A Detail Shop should be able to clean it out. I have heard that ” Fabreze ” is good for things like that ? Good luck in finding a car that suits your needs.
Thanks, Bob!
The dealer told me that they could get rid of the smell, but I was already turned off by it, and not interested in that car. A friend told me that the way they wanted to eliminate the odor, it would be back in 3 months or so. There are plenty of vehicles to choose from on the market, so I’d rather just go for one that does not smell! 🙂
I hope to have made a purchase this week.
Great news! But I’m confused. If you still had to take both a written test and a road test, what benefit did you gain from having the expired Philippines license?
Hi Mark – If I could not produce my expired Philippine license I would have had to get a learner’s permit and also go to driving school. That’s a big benefit!
Of course — no wonder you were so relieved!
Ha ha, for sure!
Whew! I am glad for you Bob and your family. That was a relief for sure after all the hassle you been thru God is Good! Summer just get even better for you when you get a car that you really like. Be safe now and don’t drive like a mad man! ?. You guys have a wonderful day and enjoy the summer.
Hi Rio! Indeed, it is a relief to have a driver’s license at last! 🙂
Good for u Bob. You are correct. In the US a car and drivers Lic. is needed. Plus the Lic. is also the major Id when doing business in the States. Happy that things are going well for you..
Good to hear from you, Luke. Everything you say is absolutely true.
Glad to hear the good news Bob, Congratulations!!!
I would have run from the ashtray car also……
Hi Bob, good to hear from you! Walking away from the ashtray was not a hard decision to make. Both Feyma and I hate the smell, and it was a very strong smell. Also, Feyma is allergic to cigarette smoke, it makes her very sick.
But, hey, we have 3 different vehicles that we are looking at right now, and they are all very nice, so I may have an update just around the corner!
I got the impression from your books you used trikes, jeepneys, and cabs. I’ve driven in the UK, but never tried any of the other countries I’ve been. After seeing how people drive in Turkey I decided I did not want to commit suicide just yet. So what’s it like to drive in the Philippines?
Now that you have a drivers license in Indiana I hope to hear what you think about US drivers.
Hi Tony! How’s it going?
I drove for the first 15 years that we lived in the Philippines. At that time, I came down with a serious eye condition that gave me very limited vision, so I stopped driving. Now, my vision has gotten a lot better, so I am ready to drive again.
After I stopped driving, I mostly rode the Jeepney. Never was much of a tricycle rider, and only rode taxis from time to time. I did a lot of walking too, I enjoy that.