Driving Lessons

After living almost 8 (gasp) years in Bella Italia, Sam and I are finally in the process of getting our Italian driving licenses. We paid the money, took the medical exam and recieved our "foglio rosa" . Then we spent our winter evenings at driving school twice a week since February. Again another reason for no time to blog.

Why is this such a big deal?

Well, to begin with I never thought I would be living in Italy in 2008. When we first moved here I was living on the assumption that this was a 2 to 3 year thing and we would be, as always, moving on.... Silly me. By the time I realized that I was here in Italy for a while, see, I still can't say permanently, I was here long enough to know the horrors of Italian bureaucracy and the horror waiting for me when I applied for an Italian driving license.

Basically Americans cannot just trade in their American driving license for an Italian one or drive for too long with out ... Why? Complicated like all things Italian. Simply put, though not really that simple to Italians who live in a Republic not a Federation, there is no such thing as an "American" driving license like an "Italian" driving license! Therein lies the dilemma. 50 international treaties to negotiate with 50 American states was too much along with the anti American feelings at one time way back when in the 80s, something about missiles in Europe and Reagan. So what was once uncomplicated became complicated when Italy decided to take away the driving license reciprocity between Italy and America. Where did that leave me? In limbo. I had my international license what more did I need? My Italian is terrible and I feared I would never pass the theory test, I knew it was difficult if even my young Italian friends failed it. I thought as a typical New Yorker... foggettaboutit.

Then the Italian government started a campaign a few years ago to combat road fatalities and speeding and placed more restrictions on driving (speed cameras), to stop corruption - centralized the testing for new licenses (now I could take it in English, no more excuses) and starting this July, will place heavy restrictions on new license holders or, as they say in Italian, "neopatente". Yikes! It was time to bite the bullet and become a "neopatente" before this process became even more complicated. Love that "neo" part, makes me feel like a teenager.

In April we took the theory test after 2 separate attempts... First time we tried, we went all the way to Genoa at 7 in the morning with our driving instructor (see we can't drive to the test) and after waiting hours we couldn't actually take the test for the computers were offline. No plan B. No written tests just in case... Whatever. Second attempt was almost a repeat of the first... but somehow the system finally worked and we actually took and passed the test. Amazing in both respects. The test is a test written to fail you, not test your logic or knowledge of driving laws. And could you imagine if one of us passed and the other failed? Me either.

Now that we have safely passed the written part we are permitted to take the "practical" test. Sam and I are scheduled for the 15th. Presently, we are enjoying the second phase of driving hell.... driving lessons. Yup, after 24+ years of safe driving, I have to prove that I am worthy to drive in Italy. Apparently I am not, according to the kid, yes, I feel that old, I don't know how to drive. Ok really what he means is that I don't know how to drive for the test...oh, I didn't realize there was a difference. I thought safe driving was safe driving. Guess not. And if this kid touches my steering wheel the next time I take a lesson, by the way, the school's car, a Lancia, think GMC Gremlin if you can, I will haul off and smack him. Why not, I did it to my driving instructor in NY way back when. The nerve!

I will keep you updated on our progress and please pray for Sam and I on May 15th.

Drive safely! (not that they actually teach you that in driving school, but I digress)

Krista