Malaysian Probationary Driving License

Knowledge Value Project

13 June 2010

Yup, I’m official! I can now drive legally in Malaysia. The whole process was painstaking and frustrating but I managed. The whole process has brought the best and worst in me. I constantly found myself in situations where I had to bring out the “tigress” in me to not be cheated or take advantage of. My driving school realised that Filipinas are not to be messed around with! (roar!)

My Knowledge Value Project is to secure a Malaysia Driver’s License by going through “Undang-Undang” (country’s rules and regulations) and go through 10 sessions of manual driving class. I chose this skill because I want to be able to drive myself to and from Church and not have to rely on Dennis a lot. I really feel sorry for him especially on Saturdays when he has to drive me to PJ Chapel for an activity when he just came back from work. I also want to be able to drive my children to and from school in the future. I know that securing my own driver's license will give me more opportunities to serve in whatever calling the Lord will give me, including motherhood.

My plans to carry out my project were: a) seek the help of Ms. Yong, Priya, Brandon or Luisa to find out a good and cheap driving school (its ridiculous how much driving school charges are); b) study the “Driver’s Education Curriculum Handbook”; c) fulfil all the necessary government requirements; and d) pass both theory and practical exam.

My personal progress journal has more details of the entire experience. I shall write excerpts of it. First, I am grateful for friends who have filled me in with helpful information that got me started on the right track. Plus my in-laws, who are very supportive of me wanting to be more independent – in many respects. They would accompany me anywhere to make sure that I am not cheated on because I don’t speak Bahasa Malay nor Chinese. They are a tremendous help.

Fulfilling the government requirements was a little challenging. I spent about 10 hours sitting in a class room listening to the lecturer about the rules and regulations, as well as about car parts etcetera in Bahasa Malay language. They do not have it on any other language. But I have to sit on it because it is a requirement. I managed to look interested those whole 10 hours (5 hours on each day). What I did though was read the English handbook they gave me during the class and kind of figured out the rest – thanks to google!

My practical test was set on June 2, 2010 and it was traumatic! Throngs of people are waiting early in the morning for their turn and the JPJ are not at all ‘friendly’ to anyone who’s wearing a number. But anyhow, it doesn’t matter really. I had one goal in mind – to PASS, and I am not about to be defeated by the attitude of people around me neither by my pride. So I suck it all up and tough it out! The practical test took about 3 hours – there were a lot of people that day at Shah Alam. I managed to befriend a Malay girl, mother of two, who’s back for her second chance. She told me of her ordeal the week before and how she was treated quite badly. But she said she needed it to send her kids to school. We had long hours to wait so we got to know each other more. I also befriended 3 Chinese who were taking the test for the first time. All of them failed the test. I didn’t know what happened to the Malay woman that I befriended but I have a strong feeling she passed this time.

My driving school, knowing that I don’t speak the language cheated on me once and didn’t even complete the 10 sessions as promised (I only have 4 sessions from them). And they forgot to teach me the 2 routes that I needed to memorise for the practical test. It was challenging to deal with them because of the language barrier. Suffice me to say that I feel a great sense of relief when I finally have my driving license in my hand. It was worth it! My fear was overpowered by a more exalted purpose of why I am doing it. This value experience taught me humility and patience.

I am grateful for the experience. I still love Malaysia and I still love the people. This experience helped me to understand the people better and appreciate their diversity. I also love driving here. If you are someone like me who lives in Manila half their life, Malaysia’s road is paradise! Mission accomplished.

Date of Completion: 9 June 2010
Hours spent: about 25 hours