Journey to the License (Part 1)

Last week saw an interesting poll battle for my viewers between a post on my Driving Journey or a book review on "Tall Order", a biography of Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. Despite an initial close fight, the Driving Journey voters overcame the "Tall Order", and I will be writing on the former. For readers who wish to know my views on "Tall Order", I may blog on it some time next month (partially cus I haven't finished reading it yet, haha).

So here we go, part 1 on my journey to the license.

Part 1: Motivation, Registration, Theory

MOTIVATION

I had my sights set on the License for a very long time, even before I turned 18. It was something that I thought was not only a necessary life skill, but an important one as it could save lives some day. However, I did not get to learn it previously for two reasons. The first being my schedule was packed with school, NUS Modules, Uni Applications, Grad Trips, and the PSC Internship before my enlistment to SAF. The other was because I was classified as PES C, I was quite sure I would end up as a Driver or Medic, as I put them as my preferred vocations. But what a joke it turned out to be, should never have put my hopes in that survey.

While focusing on NS, I cast aside my plans for pursuing a driver's license. However, when I was revocated due to an injury, I was met with the revelation that my new appointment required me to perform dispatch, which means travelling to collect/send goods during office hours. While it was possible that I could perform dispatch by taxi and claim, my boss was concerned it would trigger the notice of Auditors. I still had my upperstudy back then, hence I relied on him to perform dispatch. However, nearer to his ORD, I was tasked with more dispatches, and they were not in very nice locations. I could ask my colleague to assist me with dispatches, but I know that at times he has his own dispatches and could be busy.

My parents have also mentioned that they wish for me to learn driving. Not only can I take the wheel when my mum is unable to, they mentioned that the social status of my future career (a lawyer) would eventually require a car. While I cannot imagine myself driving a Ferrari to court, actually having a car to travel around Singapore with family and friends would be pretty cool, heh.

REGISTRATION

Before registering at the Driving Centre, I had to decide on two important things: Manual or Auto? Private or School?

A decision made in the clutch (or lack thereof)

For myself, the decision of Auto was a rather clear cut one. Although I have been told on the numerous advantages of Manual, such as an easier time getting clearance to drive overseas and can upgrade to Class 4 license easily, I want my journey to the license to be fast and cheap. Auto is guaranteed to have less lessons (think of auto as a subset of manual). Less lessons means less money spent. As I am financing my own lessons (didn't want parents to spend on this), Auto was the more clear cut way. And besides, Singapore has that many Auto cars, why do I need to force myself to learn a skill that may soon be obsolete?

Back to School?

My next consideration was whether I wanted to engage a Private Driving Instructor (PDI), or to sign up for the driving course at Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC). This was a slightly harder decision, but I decided quite fast too. 

Side note, as for why BBDC instead of SSDC or CDC, I live in Choa Chu Kang. The choice is too obvious, like legit duh. BBDC pass rates are the highest too, but distance was a deal breaker.

I decided to enroll with the school over engaging a PDI. The first consideration was high pass rates. BBDC is a tried and tested organization, its first time pass rate for Auto students is 70%. PDIs, while some are good, do not have such high passing rates. 

Another thing I considered was suitability of instructor(s). In BBDC, I will be exposed to many instructors while being allocated to a group. If I like the group or a particular instructor, I can fix him/her/them for a fee. If I really don't like an instructor, I can file a complain and request for BBDC to never match us again. If I engage a PDI and do not like him, I am essentially screwed. I will have to go through the trouble of ending the partnership, losing my deposit, and finding another PDI, which is easier said than done. 

Furthermore, although I am not that much into the idea of different instructors, but it is true that if a PDI doesn't look out for a particular driving aspect, you'll never know it till your practical test, but being with many instructors means different instructors look for different things, and your bad habits will probably all be corrected by the test.

While it is true that different instructors may give different instructions and hence confuse me, and furthermore PDIs charge cheaper than BBDC, at the end of the day if we weigh the benefits and cons, probability of failure, and cost of re-booking another practical test ($200+), BBDC seems like a no brainer.

Actually Registering

I went down to BBDC one fine Sunday, spoke to the registration counter about registering, did my application process, which was kinda like applying for a Passport with less waiting time. However, on weekends, do note that there are many people at the centre, so the waiting time was still quite long. You'll notice a lot of foreign workers too (BBDC students). While this initially scared me a little, I eventually calmed myself down by telling myself they needed the license to do their work, sort of like me but to a much larger extent; we are no different （我们不一样 plays in the background). 

Before I forget, you'll have to do some pre-registration before actually registering. You can either do it online beforehand at the centre though, so no worries.

At the service counter, I went through my personal details and created my BBDC account, and also had an eye test. Afterwards, I deposited some money into my BBDC account via NETS, and had an opening brief by one of the young instructors. The opening brief gave us an overview of what was to come, and taught us how to use the BBDC account portal. 

Afterwards, it was time for me to book my theory lessons!

THEORY

Initially, I booked my theory lessons quite far apart as I wanted to take time to digest the lessons. But in the end, I realized it was just going to be a waste of time, and contradicts my aim of finishing the course quickly and efficiently. 

Thankfully, BBDC gives you UNLIMITED CANCELLATION of your lessons, so you can always book a slot that is convenient for you. This is unlike another driving centre, which gives you 18 free cancellations per year, afterwards a surcharge kicks in.

I booked my 02 x Basic Theory Lessons (BTLs) on the Sunday after I registered. The BTLs, while informative, were actually not so much to prepare you for the Basic Theory Test (BTT). There was a lot more information about safety and driving characteristics. There were also a lot of case studies about accidents and what could be done to prevent them. Personally, I thought the BTLs were actually interesting, but again do not do much to help for the BTT, except when the instructors drop hints once in a while. The instructors try to make the lesson interesting though, but it's slightly mundane since it's a lecture. But hey, as a school student you gotta go for the lessons, so just sit there for 3 hours and clear it.

As for preparation for the BTT, I took 02 x Basic Theory Practices (BTP) which are like 4 practice papers for the BTT. I also took 01 x Basic Theory Evaluation (BTE), which was a "preliminary exam" where you have to pass in order to book your BTT. Perhaps this is why pass rates for BBDC are so high, you must prove to be able to pass a test in order to take the test. And what better way to prove you can pass than actually passing a test (mindblown). I took the BTPs and BTE on the Friday of the week of my BTLs

I passed my BTE with 48/50 on my first try. I went on to book my BTT and passed that (also on my first try) with full marks.

The same process repeated for my Final Theory, just with slight tweaks. My FTLs, FTPs, and FTE were held just 2 days after passing my BTE. I spent one whole Sunday in the driving centre. I also had 04 x FTPs as there were a total of 11 practice papers for the FTT instead of the 4 for BTT, and the FTT is indeed harder.

I passed my FTE with 49/50 on my first try. I booked my FTT (and 2 more FTPs for more practice since the duration between my FTE pass and FTT was more than a month) and went on to pass at one go with 48/50, a slight deprovement, but oh wells.

Theory was actually pretty easy. For those of us who are more kiasu, my advice is to do more practice questions, either through booking BTPs and FTPs, or buying a book to look at practice questions (though those books have questions that go beyond the scope of BTT and FTT). You can also go online to source for free BTT and FTT questions to study. Although I won't say that "BTT and FTT no need study one la", but it's really easy to pass, as long as you put in the minimal effort required.

I am more than willing to answer any viewer's queries and doubts on driving up till thus far. Feel free to drop me a message through my social media platforms (Whatsapp, Facebook, or Instagram).

Preview for Part 2:

After passing my BTT, I went online to apply for my Provisional Driving License (PDL), which gives me the permission to drive on the roads under to supervision of a qualified driving instructor.

After getting my PDL and the BBDC account portal reflecting my BTT pass, it was time to start driving!

(TO BE CONTINUED...)