Tested

After a quick review of our driver's license handbook, we gathered our completed forms and proper documentation and headed back to the local office of the Texas Department of Public Safety for step one of the driver's licensing process: the written test.

As luck would have it, the same unfriendly face we met on Friday was behind the counter again today. For nearly an hour we watched as she put the four people in line ahead of us through the same routine. She even smiled once or twice! We were optimistic that today's visit would be a bit warmer.

Paul stepped first to the counter. I listened as he briefly explained that he was there to obtain a Class B - Non CDL license.

"Show me all your stuff," she quipped dryly. Paul identified each piece of identification and documentation required by the state. With the stack of stuff piled in front of her she looked up and dropped a bomb.

"Lemme tell you something," she started. "It'll be sometime next week before we can schedule your driving test. We're already booked for this week."

Say whaaaat?

With reservations for a month by the beach beginning this Friday, hanging around for "sometime" next week is not on our agenda. She grumbled something about going to another office to see if we could take it sooner and mentioned something about a list in the back of the handbook.

Now, keep in mind, we stopped by this very office on Friday and inquired with this same less than cheerful soul. She told us then that if we took the test today we'd probably get in for the driving test within the next couple of days. But, she didn't know when they were scheduling tests for this week.

Geez.

With that we decided this was not the place where we would take our tests. We gathered our stuff and went back to the Jeep to suss things out. I started dialing DPS offices between here and Port Aransas to see who offers tests when. The answers varied, but one thing became clear. Nobody will schedule a driving exam. It's roll the dice and take your chances.

In time our heart rate and respiration returned to normal. And, with that, came clarity.

We don't have to take our test in this town or even this county. We just have to take it in Texas. And, we have to take the written and driving tests in the same place. And, based on our experience, it's best to do that in a place where you are planning to spend some time. So, we'll add this to our agenda during our month at the beach. And, if we don't get to it then, we'll take care of it during our six weeks in the Rio Grande Valley.

Meanwhile, our California licenses are valid and legal for driving a motorhome the size of our moose. And, as we read in our studies, if a valid out-of-state license covers the vehicle you're driving in Texas, you're covered.

Looks like it'll be awhile before we're totally Texafied. Turns out the only thing that was tested today was our patience.