L.A. DRVNGBook NowBeing an instructor is deeply gratifying. You genuinely help people, and the results are visible. But every so often, a student reminds you why you love this work. Julio Cesar was one of them — he became what I'd call an "unexpected teacher," someone who made me better professionally and humbled me personally.
Julio was my first client with monocular vision. He was born with congenital glaucoma in his left eye, meaning he sees only through his right. As a young man, he's fully adapted and completely capable behind the wheel — but his case took us both into territory I hadn't navigated before.
When he first reached out over WhatsApp, he'd already passed the written test and scheduled his driving test — at the Downtown LA DMV, a location I don't cover. He rescheduled for Lincoln Park, but on a day I was already booked. That's when things got interesting.
Because of his condition, Julio needed a Visual Driving Test (VDT), not the standard Driving Performance Evaluation most candidates take. One thing I learned along the way: the VDT can't be rescheduled online — it has to be handled in person or by phone. We worked through the logistics together and finally landed on a date that worked for both of us.
The VDT is tougher than a standard test. Similar to a Supplemental DPE, it requires freeway driving, four lane changes instead of two, and allows up to 20 errors instead of 15. It took Julio a couple of tries, but he passed — and is now legally licensed to drive in California, and anywhere else in the U.S.
Congratulations, Julio. One more thing I learned: drivers with his condition have to retake the VDT every two years. I have no doubt he'll be ready.
