How my 7-year old son got a driver's license

A couple of weeks ago I was with my family in UP Town Center in Quezon City when a young lady in blue approached me. (Please continue reading, this is not at R18 post).

She said, “Do you have a child who is 4 to 8 years old?”

I was a bit caught off guard because I have never slept with anyone else other than my wife in the last 10 years. I looked at her face checking if she’s one of those I had flings with in college. She did not resemble anyone who I dated but she did look like my bestman Rommel with her short hair.

I replied, “I have a 7-year old son (and I have a birth certificate to prove it).”

“Do you want him to take a short driving course and a driver’s license today,” she smiled.

At first I thought this was just one of those mall-based marketing scheme that after if I agree, I’ll find myself surrendering my credit card and signing a contract that will insure my future ‘till I’m 99. But hey, there’s a line of kids with their parents in the mall’s activity area with the Volkswagen posted in every corner. Definitely legit.  So I got Charles enlisted and here's the fun learning journey he went through in around 30minutes:

Workshops and Presentations.

A representative from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) educated the children how to become safe and responsible road users through two segments. First, there was a classroom-style lecture where kids were introduced to different road signs and what they mean.  Second, it was followed by a demo by the facilitator using toy cars in a miniature city map where the young ones literally learned the traffic rules while playing.

Junior Driving Course

Volkswagen set up a  50-meter junior driving course with VW push cars designed to simulate real life road situations. There were professional driving instructors who explained the importance of road safety visuals and correct passenger and pedestrian behaviors.

The young participants were also asked to complete a task of going to the a specific location in the driving course without violating any traffic rule. A junior driver’s license is given upon completion of the program.

If you are interested to introduce your kids (4-8 years old) on how to be a responsible driver, here’s the updated 2016 schedule of the Volkswagen Philippines' Child Safety Initiative (CSI) program.  This advocacy is FREE to interested individuals and is on first come, first served basis. 

Date /   Venue

June 20-21 / Glorietta

July 25-26 / Market! Market!

June 27-28 / Robinsons Metro East

July 11-12 / Robinsons Place Antipolo

July 18-19 / Robinsons Galleria

August 1-2 / Alabang Town Center

August 8-9 /Robinsons Place Malolos