Drivers Licence

[Dingbat]

Ottery in CPT.

As for the corrupt part? Probably

 

[Enigma_2k4]

But seriously...
Is there anyone born within the last 100 years who has got their drivers license at an honest testing station at some stage in this millennium???

Yep, I got mine the ligit way, but only on the 3rd attempt. 1st one I failed, I rolled as I was entering the testing station after doing my rounds with no a single point docked, haha! I'm such a chop.

Second attempt I didn;t even make it out the yard, a clear cut case of "bribe hunting"

Third attempt I made it thru fine.

All 3 attempts were with a driving school, can't for the life of me remember (it was 7 years ago) which one which was very well priced.

 

[VALVAGLO]

Johnc.  I obtained my licence absolutely legitimately for both my motor bike as well as my motor vehicle licence in a town which was then called Pietersburg. The "Boere " in that town would have given me a "snotklap" if I had even hinted at trying to bribe them. Those were the "good old days" Ha Ha. I doubt that one could do that today in Polokwane

 

[Visor57]

...Pietersburg. The "Boere " in that town would have given me a "snotklap" if I had even hinted at trying to bribe them.

I beg to differ, that ou ballie would have taken your bribe and still given you a snotklap ;D

 

[johnc]

Johnc.   I obtained my licence absolutely legitimately for both my motor bike as well as my motor vehicle licence in a town which was then called Pietersburg. The "Boere " in that town would have given me a "snotklap" if I had even hinted at trying to bribe them. Those were the "good old days" Ha Ha. I doubt that one could do that today in Polokwane

I would like to believe that there are some testing stations like that today. Even 1 far away but still in SA? I think that one can get an honest tester in a regular testing station as well, just not most of the time. Maybe that is how people eventually pass on their 10th attempt.

 

[Music_Lover]

Simphiwe,

I understand your desperation and your feeling of helplessness. I fear my kids are going to go down the same road.

Herewith is an indication of the heartlessness and elevation of self importance of the people at these testing stations.
I took my daughter to make another booking at Marlboro. It was a blazing hot day and the queue to book learners tests was snaking out of the building. The woman who was dispensing the forms for learners tests was sitting at her desk with her legs up and stuffing her face. She point blank refused to hand out any forms while she was on lunch, even got into an argument with a very eloquent gentleman who seemed to be a foreigner. He asked her repeatedly why did she just not leave the forms on the desk for people to take and fill in and she waved him away with arrogant answers and suggested he complain to the centre manager. He pointed out that there were people frying outside, some of them with young kids but it made no difference.  

It was one of the most galling experiences of my life. I left there feeling angry and helpless, hence my rant here, I just needed to vent.

 

[johnc]

I took my daughter to make another booking at Marlboro.

Oh my goodness, not Marlboro! There is a fat examiner there that even fails black people who are not dark enough! And only passes those who are, some of whom provide more than 1 answer per question and others who were not even capable of marking the appropriate letter in the example question.

I hope no disclaimer is necessary. I respect all people equally (whether fat/thin/black/black but not black enough/coloured/indian/white/or whatever). I'm just disappointed that some examiners don't. I think it is more often a money/bribe issue than one of race - just not always. There are many good honest examiners out there - I hope your daughter gets one of them.

 

[Family_Dog]

Kinda makes me glad I got mine nearly 17 years ago  

Abe and F_D are even more lucky, getting a horse and cart license in their day was a doddle  ;D ;D

To be sure! I got my learner's and drivers the very same afternoon, and didn't even own a car at the time!


-F_D

 

[Daniel Weston]

To add some jest to this sad post....
I passed my drivers in '92 in Pmb at the second attempt. First attempt I pushed a red robot (it was stuck on red and I decided to look both ways and proceed)
Second attempt I had one of the well known very over weight Afrikaans 'speed cops' as my tester. I knew it was going to work out ok when he told me that if I ran back a little during the hill start, it was only due to him being n 'bietjie groot'
Good times....Work hard, play hard I did everything by the book and revved that poor old Escort XR3 of mine up to 4000rpm before I released the handbrake....

 

[Music_Lover]

Lol, I'm in Pmb quite often these days. Those Escort XR3s are still way popular there.

 

[kamikazi]

I did my drivers test at Three Rivers DLTC close to Vereeniging. It is a brand new test centre and there are no queues there as they are a dedicated drivers testing centre so its a less stressful environment and less chaotic which helps. Roads are also easy to follow/observe and quite wide.

I would stay away from test centres in Metropolitan areas. Those officials are kinda stressed out.. I remember one person saying that he booked himself into Pofadder or some really remote place for a week until he managed to pass his license? Then at least you don't have to wait 3-6 months for a retest! ;D

 

[johnc]

Thanks for the info kamikazi. When did you do your test? Sounds like it was recent. What impression did you get of Three Rivers in terms of corruption/bribery?

 

[Music_Lover]

Good info kamikazi, thanks.

 

[Gerhard]

I hope this crap is not waiting for me when I renew my license in Feb!

 

[gbyleveldt]

Renewing is actually not bad. I go to the Kempton license station and this is actually an example of efficiency. You go there, spend 20mins max and a few weeks later you get your new drivers license. What a pleasure. In fact, my wife has to go there today, i'll report back if its still convenient.

 

[ludo]

I hope this crap is not waiting for me when I renew my license in Feb!

Renewals are not a hassle in that way. Got mine from Centurion. Long queue, best to go very early. Took a while but it's really just an eye test that you'll sail through unless you really cannot see well enough to drive. Payments were all above board.

 

[kamikazi]

Redid my license in August 2009 (had a dutch license b4 that). Everything seemed above board at Three Rivers. TBH I don't think it really matters where you do your tests, all the guys are full of attitude, but I think it is easier to stay calm at a centre were things aren't as hectic and where the roads are quieter. People around Pretoria are generally f****** impolite when they come across people doing their tests so it puts you under a lot of unwanted pressure having to cope with prick drivers as well.

Heard Midrand was pretty decent for renewals?

 

[gbyleveldt]

Renewing is actually not bad. I go to the Kempton license station and this is actually an example of efficiency. You go there, spend 20mins max and a few weeks later you get your new drivers license. What a pleasure. In fact, my wife has to go there today, i'll report back if its still convenient.

She was done in less than an hour, but she went early.

 

[Gerhard]

I'll try Midrand since it is the closest to where I work.

 

[Byrd2]

Last renewal I attended in Gordon's bay - 2 people in the queue, and the friendliest station this side of the equator.

Going for another soon so will report that one

I love the Cape