Finally A Driver!

(Finally) Time To Take That Big Step

 

On my 15th birthday, my mom and I left school early so I could get my Learners Permit that very day. After my 17th birthday, I had to renew my Learners Permit, for it had expired. That's right, 2 years later and I still wasn't an independent driver. Yes, I would drive us home from school and out on weekends, but I was just never really into driving. I knew it was a big responsibility that I didn't want to take on just yet. However, less than a month before my 18th birthday, I decided it was time to take that big step, and took the road test.

August 30, 2019: The Road Test

On August 30th, we left school and went down to the DMV. We filled out the paperwork, waited outside for our appointment, and watched as the kid before me took his test. As mom and I watched him during the parking test, we discovered what not to do as, unfortunately, he knocked over cones and failed the exam.

Practice Struggles & Parking Successes

 

Then, it was my turn. I had mom go inside so I wouldn't know if she was freaking out or not, and then got in the car. First, my examiner made sure the car was alright, testing the mirrors and lights. Then, I drove us over to the parking course. The day before, I practiced parking at our Country Club parking lot in our neighborhood. Mom and dad actually pretended to be parking cones as I practiced parallel parking for 3 hours. It was a struggle, but during the test, I aced it!

It's About Time...

After parking was the driving section; I drove my examiner around for about 30 minutes. When we arrived back at the DMV, the lady handed me my score report and said, "Congratulations!" I had passed and (finally) earned my Driver's License!

I ran in, got mom, and told her the good news. She was overjoyed! She started crying and told me she had actually watched me do the parking portion through one of the DMV windows. She was really impressed since, the day before, she wasn't so sure about my parking skills. After, we picked up my dad from work and told him of my success; they were both really proud of me.

An Independent Driver

Later, I went driving by myself for the first time. I went all the way to Publix to pick up some pizza ingredients and brownie mix, and then, to Dollar General to grab a Redbox movie. It was crazy! I was really proud of myself and loved the freeing feeling.

Now, I'm able to help my family out even more by picking up my little sister from theater rehearsal. It's really important to me that I help lift the load off my parents' busy schedule in any way I can.

Now that I'm a driver, I feel like an even more independent and productive young woman as I help my family and, hopefully, develop a stronger relationship with my sister as we spend more alone time together.