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View all search resultsYour letters: Driving licenses: The proper way
This refers to âPolice to address driving license issuance,â (The Jakarta Post Online, Feb
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T
his refers to 'Police to address driving license issuance,' (The Jakarta Post Online, Feb. 10).
I just got my license here in the United States last year and it's far off from my experience trying to get a driving license in Indonesia.
The process, documentation needed, free study guide, making an appointment for the written test and driving test are all available online.
Here, they give you three chances to do the writing test (if you fail three times then you have to pay again to take the test, but hey, if you fail three times taking the test, it probably means you do have to study your material again!).
I had to take the driving test twice because I failed the first time but I was very clear on what I did wrong the first time because the instructor told me exactly what I did wrong.
Funny thing is, before I started driving here in the States, I wasn't really aware of road rules and what have you and when I took my written test, there was no study material and I was just sort of hoping I would pass.
The policeman who was helping me actually took the paper before I finished and sort of completed it for me! Another thing, the driver's license here is issued by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) not at police headquarters, so I think it helps because you're not dealing with cops, which is less intimidating.
The way I see it, getting a driver's license can be more effective if:
People clearly understand the process of getting one (where exactly to go, not just the address but which building, which room, which booth, have some charts of the process by the building entrance).
Make sure the practice equals or is very close to the theory (if I made an appointment for 11 a.m., it doesn't make sense if I have to wait an hour to be serviced).
Make the study material (driver's handbook) available online and onsite.
The information on how to report malpractice and complaints and suggestions should be made available for the public and the quality control officer should respond within 24 to 48 hours.
There's more to this list but it's going to take another discussion about corruption in Indonesia, which is essentially the root of many of the problems we have in Indonesia.
RD Blauer
The US
