There is not an expat alive who lands on this island and doesn’t yearn to get behind the wheel of a car and onto the rest of her life. But first, there is the TCD – or more formally, The Transportation Control Department – to contend with. I am a brave woman. But the prospect of taking a driving test, both written and practical, filled me with a fear I have not known since the last time I had to take a test (and that was in college which, without revealing the exact date, was quite a long time ago).

“How hard can it be?” off-islanders would say.

And I started to agree with them. I mean, I had briefly reviewed the Traffic Code Handbook, hadn’t I?

*click for image credit

But who knew that when someone cuts you off, the correct response is to:

A) Write down their license plate number.

Honestly, I am usually too busy swearing at the guy to frantically fumble for a pen. So I chose:

B) Don’t retaliate.

I thought it was a very grown-up response to bad road behavior. Though the TCD didn’t, and I failed the test.

And so, I started to study. And by study, I mean to say that I memorized the book.

With my heart beating as fast as a hummingbird’s, I took my place at the TCD console for my written test. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the answers to virtually all the questions, including the one about why you stay at least one car’s length away from the vehicle in front of you. And, NO, it is not to “avoid toads” as the test manual taunts.

I finished in record time and yes, victory was mine. I was joyful. I was grateful too, as I happened to glance at the poor chap sitting next to me who was clearly struggling. I heard a clerk remark that this was his fourth try. I was so relieved not to be him. And hopeful I would never meet him on the road. I mean, if he was that reckless in a chair, what would he be like behind the wheel?

Though the written test was now behind me, the worst was still to come. As I confidently strode up to the counter to schedule my practical driving test, I was informed that the next available date was in three months. What? There goes the golf season. But then I found Dolores. Dolores the Dynamic Driving Instructor who, for a small fee, gave me lessons and arranged my driving test within hours.

As exam day once again approached, my understandable anxiety turned into full-blown terror. I asked others if they had felt similarly, and the answer was always the same: “By God, YES!” We all know this is one of the fundamental rights of passage for anyone who chooses to make this beautiful aquatic oasis their home. We all could have just continued riding buses and ferries of course, but sooner or later, you must bite the bullet and become independently mobile.

*click for image credit

I arrived bright and early at the TCD and met my official tester. Although “meeting” is really too strong a word, as this was not a social occasion; this professional was all business. My anxiety grew. He shook my hand like a staff sergeant and displayed not one ounce of humor as he directed me to the car. Danger loomed large.

I got behind the wheel and listened to his instructions.

“Back up in a straight line.” he commanded.

I carefully slipped off the emergency brake, checked my mirrors, and placed my chariot in reverse. Then, just to make sure I was not treading too close to the yellow line (which was the object of the exercise), I opened my door and snuck a little peek.

“What are you doing?” he barked.

“You’re not going to flunk me are you?!” I retorted in panic.

He didn’t even bother to answer. Eleven seconds. That’s all it took for me to feel the sting of defeat once again.

Crestfallen, I called my husband to tell him about what had to be the fastest failure on record. He, of course, had passed his test the first time. He attempted to soothe my bruised ego by trying to convince me that, as an American, I was naturally unfamiliar with left hand drive. He said it should surprise no one that I would find the “European” driving style a bit challenging. (I didn’t have the heart to remind him that I had only been backing up, which is the same direction no matter what country you’re in.)

Dolores was horrified, but got me right back in line for another appointment. The next time I went for my driving test, I was thankfully paired with a tester who seemed determined to finally get me on the road. The first eleven seconds passed without incident this time.

The tester barely spoke to me when we finished, so I wasn’t sure if I’d actually passed, but I had! I wanted to kiss him but hugged Dolores instead, and she wished me well.

I was completely road ready. The terror was gone, and in its place came giddy relief. I now had my island freedom.

I will say that I am a more careful driver now thanks to the TCD, even though I still yearn to peek at those yellow lines every time I back up!

Darlene driving test_WWLOR

illustrated by Paul Szep

Current Rock of Residence:

Bermuda

Island Girl Since:

2007

Originally Hails From:

Boston

Darlene is a freelance journalist currently living in Bermuda, Boston, and London. She has worked as an anchor and reporter for both the Boston CBS-TV and NBC-TV affiliates, as well as a special correspondent for the nationally syndicated show America’s Most Wanted. She was co-host of âMcCarthy & Vigue and Leave It To Divas, two radio talk shows on WRKO-Boston; as well as a columnist for The Bermudian Magazine and the Bermuda Sun Newspaper. She also authors a travel blog, Traversing the Triangle, which concentrates on the people and places within her triangle of travel including London, Bermuda, Boston, and beyond.

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