In which I am a dimwit
I started learning to drive in 1996, which means I have been a provisional licence-holder for a substantial chunk of my life. I first took a theory test in 1997, but have never managed to pass the practical (I think there have been four attempts).
Anyway, the time seemed propitious for another attempt. Since theory test certificates only last two years, I have to take that again, and since I want to do an intensive driving course which will lead to my sitting the practical test quite soon, I need to get on with it. So last Wednesday I booked a test, online, for today, on the grounds of getting it over with.
Then on Friday evening I discovered that my provisional driving licence wasn't where I thought it was (in the box where I keep all my important documents, including old theory test certificates).
I spent the weekend going through every box of papers I possess, looking for it. Then, on Monday, having run out of places to look, I discovered that in order to cancel a test you have to do it three working days before - which is to say that I'd have needed to cancel on Wednesday.
So I lose my fee, and I still don't know what happened to my licence. I haven't gone looking for it for at least three years, though, so who knows.
The other irritating thing is that it was an old-style paper licence, so I will now have to apply, expensively, for a photocard one. Then I'll either pass my test, which will require applying for a new photocard licence, or I won't, in which case I am feeling like just giving up on the whole thing. Because cars are nasty dangerous polluting things anyway and I don't like driving so why am I doing this, exactly?
Oh, I'll calm down in a bit.
Anyway, the time seemed propitious for another attempt. Since theory test certificates only last two years, I have to take that again, and since I want to do an intensive driving course which will lead to my sitting the practical test quite soon, I need to get on with it. So last Wednesday I booked a test, online, for today, on the grounds of getting it over with.
Then on Friday evening I discovered that my provisional driving licence wasn't where I thought it was (in the box where I keep all my important documents, including old theory test certificates).
I spent the weekend going through every box of papers I possess, looking for it. Then, on Monday, having run out of places to look, I discovered that in order to cancel a test you have to do it three working days before - which is to say that I'd have needed to cancel on Wednesday.
So I lose my fee, and I still don't know what happened to my licence. I haven't gone looking for it for at least three years, though, so who knows.
The other irritating thing is that it was an old-style paper licence, so I will now have to apply, expensively, for a photocard one. Then I'll either pass my test, which will require applying for a new photocard licence, or I won't, in which case I am feeling like just giving up on the whole thing. Because cars are nasty dangerous polluting things anyway and I don't like driving so why am I doing this, exactly?
Oh, I'll calm down in a bit.