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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Best to make appointment
for taking driver’s road test
Question: You recently had a column on what's needed to obtain a driver's permit (Kokua Line, Feb. 16) on the same day I accompanied my 16-year-old daughter to take a road test for her driver's license. My daughter opted to have her road test as a "walk-in" in Kapolei. That meant waking up early, since my daughter heard from "informants" that we had to there at 5:30 a.m. I heard two people were there even earlier -- at 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. It turned out that slots for walk-ins are limited. The satellite city hall finally opened and there were only three people ahead of us when the man across the counter announced, "Sorry, all slots for walk-in are filled for the day." We decided to wait to make an appointment. It finally was our turn to be served around 8:15 a.m. I overheard someone at another counter telling a person that her road test would be at 10:30 a.m. However, we were told that the next available appointment was three weeks away. We decided to take it and were told that the $8 fee was not refundable once we set the appointment. Can you provide specific information on procedures for a road test -- whether appointments are encouraged, what documents are needed, etc.? I think that would be very helpful to other parents.
Answer: Standing in line at 5:30 a.m. or earlier doesn't ensure a road test.
Although some walk-ins are able to take the test the day they show up, they are the lucky ones.
"We recommend that applicants pay the ($8) fee and obtain an appointment rather than chance a walk-in," said Alan Miyamura, chief licensing examiner and inspector for the city Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division.
Appointments are honored first, then a station supervisor will determine how many walk-ins can be accommodated depending on the number of examiners who show up for work that morning.
Miyamura explained that the number of examiners may be affected by unfilled vacant positions, as well as by unexpected absences because of sick or emergency leaves.
A supervisor is unable to determine how many examiners are available until 7:45 a.m., which is the official start time for work, Miyamura said.
"You could be the 10th person in line and not get a (road test) because two out of three examiners called in sick, and only eight (road tests) were capable at that station," he said.
The bottom line is that there is no guarantee that a walk-in will be able to take a road test, he said.
Based on the city's January 2004 statistics, the average number of road tests per examiner per hour was 1.75. Typically, an examiner may be able to perform about 10 to 12 road tests per day, Miyamura said.
For example, City Square had eight examiners (including the station supervisor) available in January and they provided a total of 689 road tests. The Kaneohe driver's licensing station had three examiners (including the station supervisor) who provided 407 road tests for that month.
Miyamura explained that the number of tests given at each station varies, depending on the number of examiners available, the traffic and topography surrounding the test site, as well as the applicant's ability or lack of ability (how long he or she takes to drive the route). Peak morning and afternoon traffic hours also will affect test times, as will road construction.
Asked how long the average wait is for someone making an appointment, Miyamura said that, in the first week of March, bookings were being made into mid-April. But that varied according to demand, when appointments are made and which schools are out.
In addition to showing up in person and paying the $8 fee, minors must have certificates showing completion of the required driver's education program before they can take a road test.
"We also want to ensure that the applicant securing the appointment has a valid permit, no outstanding violations or suspensions/revocations or out-of-state compliance requirements," Miyamura said.
Every person who passes the learner's permit test is given a "Road Test Instructions" form, which lists the stations where road tests are given, as well as what's required.
The test sites are: City Square, 1199 Dillingham Blvd. (phone 832-4117); Kaneohe, 45-270 Waikalua Road (233-2300); Kapolei, 1000 Uluohia St. (692-5100); Pearl City, 1100 Waimano Home Road (453-2400); Wahiawa, 330 North Cane St. (621-7255); and Waianae (Monday and Wednesday only), 85-670 Farrington Highway (696-6648).
Applicants must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 18 years old. The vehicle used must have a current safety sticker and certificate; and have a current Certificate of Registration and a current Hawaii motor vehicle insurance ID card (copies not accepted), with the name and vehicle ID number on the insurance card matching the registration certificate.
Mahalo
To a bus driver whose name I didn't get. At 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, this wonderful driver on route 57A gave me one minute to pick up my registration papers before boarding the bus. If he hadn't given me the extra minute, I would have had to wait one hour for the next bus. This simple act of kindness made my day. -- Rose K.
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