Getting a driver’s license

After waiting in a small hallway for about an hour and a half, I was finally let into a room that was already full of about 12 Ghanaians. At the front and sitting behind a desk was the man with all the power to grant or deny the coveted driver’s license. I sat down and listened as he quizzed a younger man (a little older than me it seemed) about the rules of the road. The man turned on the computer screen which displayed a PowerPoint presentation. The first question was about the stop light…

“What color is that light?”

“Green”

“What do you do when the light is green?”

“You move.”

“You move? Are you sure?”

“Yes…”

“No, you don’t move! Just because the light is green does not mean the road is clear. You must look and make sure there are no cars coming.”

Okay, that makes sense. That’s even something my Dad might say. I might be able to answer these questions when it’s my turn. But what happens if he asks me about some obscure sign that is native to Ghana…Oh no!

“What are your headlights for?”

“To see”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, yes to see where you are going.”

“No, no! It’s not only to see where you are going, but also so other cars can see you too! How are they to see you if you have no lights on?”

Really!!? The explanation makes sense, but is that really what the tester is looking for?  I’m really starting to doubt if I will be able to answer the questions in a way that will please the administrator. So, I’m changing my game plan: be verbose and answer the question from as many different angles as possible.

More questions are asked. All answers given are wrong and I’m giving the same answer as the guy in the hot seat! I guess no driver’s license today. On top of that I’ll be embarrassed in front of this whole room of Ghanaians.

“I will ask you an intelligent question. What is my third eye?”

“uhh…” shrugging shoulders

“I don’t have an eye in the back of my head, do I? So how to I see if someone is behind me?”

“uhh…”

“It’s your review mirror. Come back in three months and try again.”

Third eye!? What kind of test is this? Even though I solved the last riddle, I assumed my fate would be the same as that poor test taker.

Then the grand inquisitor calls me to the front of the “line” and I give him my paper work. Oh, boy! He’s going to make an example of the American.

“Do you have your American license?”

“Yes”

“Oh, Kentucky! You see in America the procedure for a driver’s license is much different than here. What right do I have to ask him any questions?”

The room chatters in agreement.

So the man signs my paper and sends me on my way….