A driver's license is the golden ticket to a teenager's life. It encompasses everything associated with independence, trust, and freedom. One may not think that a small plastic card could have such a profound meaning, but it is the key to maturing and joining the adult world.
During my sophomore year in high school, I witnessed all of my older friends brag about driving freely and without supervision, something I had absolutely longed for. Both my parents and were I annoyed with me having to repeatedly ask them for rides; school became more hectic as I had to stay after school or travel to a different destination for certain activities, and I came to the point where I wanted to spend more time with my friends. Life was getting more difficult with me not being able to drive myself and having to rely on others, so my family and I finally
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decided it was time for me to obtain my license. It had taken me two tries to receive my learner's permit from the DMV.
I had failed the written test the first time, so when I passed the second time, I was ecstatic and eager to share the great news with everyone I knew. While that moment was satisfying, it was only a baby step into getting what I truly desired, my full provisional license. I made sure to record all of my driving hours, had my parents sign the proper forms, and then traveled back to the DMV a few months later with the largest amount of confidence I’ve ever had before.
Walking out with a huge grin on my face, it was easy for others to tell I had gotten my driver’s license. My family members expressed their pride and joy, saying that I was one step closer to becoming an adult. They had always stressed the importance of maturing and gaining independence, and getting a driver's license was one of the most important parts of being independent; my family members frequently told me stories about their experience with driving by themselves for the first time, and how free-spirited and renewed they felt to own a license. That was the feeling I had: the feeling of
liberation. I didn’t have to wait outside for my parents to pick me up if I left school later anymore, I could go visit my friends anytime I wanted, and I happily ran errands for my family members when they needed me to. I was given more responsibility and trust, but I didn’t abuse it as I knew my privileges would be taken away if I wasn’t safe. I had just earned my license, and I wasn’t about to ruin my newfound independence. Letting go of my parents' hands and entering the realm of adulthood with my license opened my eyes to the realization that I was now one of them. I was an adult. The place that I often dreaded to enter as a child ended up being the same place I found myself in, and I enjoyed every second of it. I was no longer a burden on others, and I transformed into a more mature and responsible individual, all from a little piece of plastic.
In the state of Arizona, teenagers that are 15 years and six months can apply for their learner’s permit. A written driving test of basic driving laws and rules is then taken. Upon passing the new driver is given six months to drive a minimum of 30 daytime hours and 10 nighttime hours, with a licensed driver present. This allows teens to become comfortable driving alongside a licensed driver before taking on the task of driving alone. After the six month period of practicing, the teenager can take the driving part of the exam to attain their driver’s license. “Crash risk is particularly high during the first months of licensure.” (Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet 1) The need for more driving practice and defensive driving is relevant.
“Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for American teenagers, accounting for about a third of all deaths in that age group” (Crisp). In actual numbers, motor vehicle crashes kill more than 5,000 teenagers every year (Gregory). These statistics are frightening and have led more than 50 percent of adults to support higher required ages for drivers’ licenses (Gregory). Teenagers, though, say this would be unfair and would make their lives difficult. Meeting the needs of Indiana teenagers while still keeping them and other drivers safe can be accomplished by a more restrictive graduated licensing law.
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a private organization which assists the public in getting their drivers license through various stages of approval. They are present in many locations throughout the state. The DMV helps in various processes like filling out the application process, taking your pictures for the Driver’s License ID cards, conducting eye examination for approving your license, distributing the driver’s handbook used for referring to various rules and regulations including the sample test details and questions for attending driver license tests, conducting the written tests, conducting behind the wheels test, and many more. Besides this, California DMV also collects and verifies your legal documents to ensure your legal presence in the state. California DMV enforces certain restrictions for obtaining your learner’s permit as well as the permanent Drivers license. Explore more about California DMV rules and restrictions from the official DMV website here: http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/
The written test that you were required to take was taken at the armory. You needed to pass the written test to get your permit. The test was 100 questions that number made me very nervous because I?m not a very good test taker, and that is a lot of questions. The night before the test I couldn?t sleep because I was so worried about not passing the test. I think I read the book five times before I finally fell asleep. In the morning mom brought me to the Armory, I went in to take my test. It took me about forty five minutes to take it. I brought my test to the front desk they correct it right there, when she was done she came to tell me I passed. I was so excited now I could drive!!
In the 1990's teens would get full licensing and all privileges with little of no testing at all. It wasn’t until 1995 when around twenty states required a learning permit but the system was still very weak, as in teens only had to keep their permit from two to three weeks. Bu somehow, teen drivers was not as dangerous as it is today. Experts say it is mostly because of deadly distractions in and out of the vehicle(Boulard 38).
Through out the years teenagers have been driving without a license. In this century teenagers are decreasing to get their license (Teens getting their driver license. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2013, from ). Teenagers tend to think that just because they know how to pump gas press the brakes and rea...
When I was six years old, I hated car rides. To a six year old, a car ride was the epitome of boredom. There was nothing to do on a car ride except sit there for hours watching the trees. I would get carsick every single time I was in my mom’s Volvo. If I wasn’t sick or bored, I was waiting painfully in the backseat for the next exit ramp so my mom could turn off the road for a bathroom break. My mom would have to bribe me with candy or some other special treat just to get me in a car everyday. Some six year olds were afraid of monsters and doctor’s visits; I was afraid of the car. About ten years later something happened, a change. When I finally got my driver’s license at age sixteen, I was no longer afraid of the once dreaded car ride.
Driving a car and obtaining a driver’s license does perhaps seem to provide people with a great sense of independence and freedom. Teenagers need to feel independent in order to learn to become successful on their own as well as realize how to handle life situations on their own, and having a license seems the perfect start and most effective way to do so. When teenagers feel this independence they tend to act more mature, knowing the responsibilities they must now carry on their own (More4Kids). Teenagers often look forward to the freedom that driving offers as well. Teenagers are able to take drives to escape from life’s many stressed, and leave any troubles at home behind without rebelling out against their loved ones.
But it has a price to it. The class was about 450-500 dollars so after many hour and days of my brother begging my parents and persistently not taking no for an answer they gave in. When my brother went to his driving school it was for about 3 to 4 months. Twice a week, I remember when I was younger he would always say “I can't wait to get my license” At these classes you will learn the basic “rules of the road” and get a
accidents and automobile deaths among teens are why lawmakers should change the law that teens shouldn’t be able to drive under the age of 18. For starters, when teenagers first get their licenses, their parents can’t watch their every move in the car. Like most teens that are in high
A driver’s license has played a significant role in the lives of many, if not all Americans in the past hundred years or so. The question now is whether driving and the attainment of a license is still not only significant, but also necessary to many Americans. Over eighty percent of driving age Americans have a driver’s license, few report to regularly use public transportation, and getting from one place to another is still critical, so it appears that they are still quite necessary. I have personally felt the immense pressures to gain a driver’s license and have enjoyed the freedoms that are attained along with one. However, many argue that driving is not as important today as it has in the past, reporting that fewer teens are pursuing a
“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional deaths for teens (16-17),” reported The New York State Department of Health. The most exciting thing about being sixteen in the United States is driving. Teenagers can not wait to be sixteen to drive, however, they do not understand the dangers that come with driving at such a young age. Sixteen is the age between child life and adulthood. It is a time when they are not stable and undergoing change, which makes them unsuitable to drive. Many teenagers would say that they need to get to places. In response to that claim, there are public transportation systems and bikes as available alternatives for young drivers. The financial stability and matureness of eighteen year olds proves
“Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time,” said by Steven Wright. Teenagers look forward to their sixteenth birthday so they are able to drive. Everyone has felt that feeling where they can hardly wait to get behind the wheel and start driving. Little do people know teen drivers are more likely to die from a car accident than from a homicide, suicide, or cancer combined (Littlefield). They are mostly inexperienced with the road and how to handle distractions. If the age were moved to eighteen teenagers would have more driving experience (Sostarecz). Teenage drivers are extremely eager to drive because of freedom, but they are not aware of the distractions and peer pressure on the road; their experience of driving is not as well as others and statistics show how many deaths are caused due to teenage driving.
With my drivers’ license I could pick up my friends without my parents around, making the friend experience a whole lot better. I could go on dates without the embarrassment of my parents driving me. On any given day I could do anything I wanted because I could drive. I could feel the textures of the roads, smell the fresh air when my windows were down, see the beautiful terrain that I drove through and I could hear any type...
The single most important accomplishment responsible for my transition from childhood to adulthood is receiving my driver’s license. I received my license during my sophomore year of highschool. The “training wheels” of my permit had been taken off and I was able to drive by myself without parental supervision. This accomplishment broadened my capacity for freedom, responsibility, and convenience to me and my family. I was finally able to go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted, within the confines of my mother’s permission.