Not Your Kuwait Driver’s License
Earlier this year, I wrote about getting my Kuwait Driver’s License never thinking I would be going through the process again this year here in Seattle. I know it sounds crazy, but it just didn’t occur to me that the license might expire. It isn’t a good thing to find out when you are about to pick up a rental car and your license is declined because it expired.
So I needed to go get a new license first thing this morning. I know how crowded the driver’s license place is early in the morning, so I didn’t go first thing. When I got there, there were about 15 people in front of me.
They have this system. You go in and they have a big list of services and fees posted. Then you go to a machine and press a button for the service you need, and you get a number. I waited five minutes.
The woman asked how she could help and I told her I needed to renew my expired driver’s license. She asked why it had expired and I told her I live in Kuwait, and she said “oh! other country” and put in that code. She asked about you, she asked how I liked living in Kuwait, she was worried about my safety – I get that a lot. I tell them about Kuwait, about how nice it is, how I have lots of good friends, and that it is a nice place to live. I tell them I feel safe (I don’t tell them about the driving!) and that if anything were to happen, I believe I have friends who would protect me. I could see a lot of this was news to her, and she was happy to hear it.
She asked me if I was restricted in my dress, and I laughed and said “well, I dress modestly, so it isn’t really a problem.” She stopped and thought a little and said “I dress modestly, too.”
All of that conversation, plus my paying for a new license and taking an eye test, took five minutes. I had to take five steps over to where my photo was taken, and 30 seconds later my temporary license, photo and all, was in my hands. My permanent license will be sent to me within a week.
How sweet is that?
It was SO orderly. No one pushing in front of anyone, waving papers, insisting on going first. Everyone takes a number, everyone gets the same courteous service and it is FAST. I was in and out in less than fifteen minutes, and that includes the waiting time and the conversation. I love systems and processes!
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and they allowed you take a picture in a government building, or did you take it with your secret cam?
That’s not how I remember it. Last time I was there, it was chaos @_@
And strangely the DMV has always been known for their notorious bureaucratic process and is the subject of many jokes! I had the same experience when I took my US license, it was so orderly and quick and perfect! 🙂
Oh, wait, I just realized this isn’t Kuwait! XD
Trying going to the DMV in California .. it makes the Kuwaiti system seem like a walk in the park. All kidding aside, the government building at the Liberation Tower is shaping up to have the same experience as the Seattle DMV; you take a number and getting everything completed in one sitting.
Its the same for me in Iowa, khalti – the take-a-number and computerization (and no shoving!) makes it so easy. And so much less stressful!
congratulations on getting legal again 🙂 !
No, Purg! I looked first for signs! I was very obvious, and no one cared!
3baid – Chaos in Seattle? Chaos among these calm, law-abiding Scandinavian people? When were you here?
Aha! I just realized you just realized it wasn’t Kuwait! 😛
K the Kuwaiti – I believe you. Already I am seeing changes in Kuwait, changes that seem small but have a big meaning – and respect for the law is one of them. Respect for order, every person taking his turn – I think you are right, I think it is coming. I have seen it in the banks that have numbers, too.
Insh’allah today is a wonderful day, with men with seeds of greatness getting elected, who will turn Kuwait toward a productive future.
I just renewed my licence this week at Jabriya, other than ‘no english sign boards there was no problem at all, after taking few tips from the arab dude next to me, it was done in 1 hour, honestly i met some real polite employees for the first time ever in a ministry .
But one thing i couldnt digest is that they have sepeated Kuwait’s from Expats … like Kuwaiti’s get thier job done in the morning and the expats in the evening … although its kinda aparth…. never mind …Im glad that atleast some department is improving …
Little Diamond, I was SO embarrassed to be illegal, but I guess it happens all the time because “replacement of expired license” was on the list of fees, it just adds another ten dollars to the cost. Whew! Thank God I am legal again!
Grey, have you noticed? Things really are changing in Kuwait. They are putting in systems! Order is evolving out of chaos. It’s amazing – and pretty wonderful!
In Kuwait, we are getting there… not in all systems, but I do see the light at the end of the tunnel LOL.. I hate waiting in lines :-S
LOL!! I miss getting things done in an orderly fashion! I remember my experiences with the DMV, I went to the one in the suburbs, 5 minutes and I WAS OUT and the next time I went to get it renewed for my 21st bday the man remembered me (Sweet!!)
Ansam, I hate hate hate waiting in lines, too. And at the same time, it is the price we pay for an orderly society. I often have a book to read with me, or a sudoku to do!
Chirp, I bet he did remember you! I bet he doesn’t get a sweet Kuwaiti woman through his line very often. I bet he went home and told his family about you!
I missed so many posts! i’ve been a bad reader the last couple of days 😛 hope you’re enjoying your time there 🙂
Oh Yousef, you have no idea! When I am here, I walk so much every day that my feet hurt when I finally stop!
Sir
Du to respect iwoud like to fineout a jub light vecaul driver post in kuwait.if posible send e-Maile.
Thankx
PYARE MOHAN