Why so serious?
Getting a driver’s license in Sweden is hard. Having it renewed is almost equally hard, at least if you’ve got one with special qualifications for heavy trucks with trailers.
I just went through it. Again. Same thing every five years.
Transportstyrelsen (the Swedish equivalent of the DMV?) thought the background of my photo above was too dark. Why the serious face, you ask? Well, you’re not allowed to smile so your teeth show. This is serious stuff!
But it didn’t stop there. You also have to send in a medical certificate issued by a licensed physician. I did, but it was rejected because the doctor filled it out the wrong way — twice.
Last time, when I contacted the hospital, the receptionist was shocked. Not just because of the doctor’s mistake, but also because of my calm.
I was frustrated, of course, but what’s the use of yelling at the person answering the phone? And even if it had been the person in charge, would shouting have helped me?
Even if it did, would it have made me feel better inside? Nope, not the least. On the contrary.
I prefer to “keep calm and carry on” — hopefully legally in a vehicle too.