I don't know what it is like in other states or if COVID is
to blame for the system or what have you - but just being able to land a test
driving appointment is no small feat. A person has to visit the site not
only daily but multiple times throughout the day - hourly if possible.
Jaime started her search in June or July and finally landed an appointment with
the Roseburg DMV on September 9th but continued her search until something
opened up in Canyonville. September 10. Had we known then what we
know now we would have just kept both.
We arrived a half an hour early to appointment. The room was the busiest I have ever seen it.
She wasn’t able to check in until 15 minutes prior to the appointment
time. We had proof of insurance but no expiration
date. She was dismissed and could not
take the test.
We were given information for third party testing – which she did in
Roseburg. The instructor had her turn
onto a one way street – which she has never done before. She made the turn for the furthest lane over
and was failed. She didn’t know.
She was gracious about it afterward saying it was probably a blessing
that she hadn’t been tested in Canyonville and had to learn about the one ways
as Ashland is full of them and she would like Ashland to be a regular destination.
Meanwhile I checked DMV on a daily basis and signed her up for
multiples. Her first appointment was in
Roseburg – their waiting room was a far cry from Canyonville – more empty seats
– no waiting at all. They took her
before the allotted check in time. She
was told she ran a red light which she says she did not do. Next appointment: Grants Pass.
Grants Pass is what I consider the halfway mark between here and Medford
Temple. The drive was between 40 and 60
minutes. When we arrived there was a
line outside the doors. Everyone was
being turned away due to the servers being down. The biggest problem – Jaime didn’t even want
her license. Why all this hassle for
something she doesn’t even want?
The last test she took was in Roseburg.
Meanwhile I had booked four more appointments – three in December. Thankfully she passed at her last appointment
(third party taken Oct 7) and in an unfamiliar car. Another from the friend group received his the
following day. She thought she would be
the last of her friends to get her license but had him beat by 25 hours.
Yesterday she took her first long drive by herself. She went to Medford to meet a group of
friends and drove herself home after the activity. I am so happy for her and pleased with her
decisions. She really is an awesome
human being!
