Name: Jenna Davis
From: La Crosse, wisconsin
Votes: 0
I took an online
Drivers Ed Course when I was old enough to get my permit (15.5 years
old). I finished the classroom portion and took the permit test,
however, I did not pass the 1st round of the permit test. My parents
wanted me to take it again as soon as I could. Most 15.5-16 year
olds are, as my mom says, “Chomping at the bit to get driving”.
I wasn’t really discouraged by not passing the 1st permit test. In
all reality, I was scared to take on that responsibility. It isn’t
because I am not a responsible kid, I am very responsible and have a
good head on my shoulders despite several stereotypes. I pushed
another permit test off as long as I possibly could. I had to think
about whether or not I was ready to be in the position to drive a
vehicle. My friends were all driving with their permits, taking
their behind the wheel lessons and here was me, still not ready to
re-take my permit test. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I would
pass it, I knew I could, I just didn’t want to. I started to feel
bad in August of 2017 when my dad was injured in a lawn mowing
accident as he couldn’t drive due to an extensive surgery to save
his leg. I thought, maybe it’s time to help my parents out and get
my permit and start behind the wheel lessons. I told my mom that I
thought I was ready. Her response was “you think you are or you
are?”. I admitted that I wasn’t sure. She told me to come talk
to her when I knew I was ready. That conversation didn’t happen.
I turned 16, all of my friends were passing their road tests and
getting their license. I kept getting asked “when are you taking
your test”, “hurry up and get your license” and other comments.
I had to have my mom take me everywhere. I had to ask for rides if
she wasn’t available and if where I was going was too far to walk.
I didn’t own a bike. My older sister has her license but she moved
to Florida. I felt stuck some days. When I was asked to hang out or
meet friends somewhere, I didn’t go if I didn’t have a ride. My
dad was no longer working due to his injury. He ended up also having
several eye surgeries and is no longer able to driver. All
transportation for myself and my 2 younger sisters was my mom’s
responsibility. She also worked full time and had a part time job.
Family members gave me a hard time about still not having my license.
My cousins and friends all had theirs, what is wrong with me I
thought? Why am I not ready? Is this normal? Should I MAKE myself
be ready? Should I do it because everyone else wants me to? I asked
my mom all of these questions. Her response “If you aren’t
ready, you aren’t ready.” Questions I had to ask myself were:
How could she not want to make me to get my license? She is running
everywhere for me and my sisters, it’s a lot of work for her, is
she just saying that to make me feel better? No. Time went on and
on and she would ask me now and again if I was ready. She would ask
me if I had taken time to study up on the permit test. I hadn’t.
I told her that I hadn’t and she said “Ok, let me know when you
are ready”. She never once shared to me that she was disappointed,
upset, irritated, tired of taking me everywhere, etc… I have
sisters who are 14 and 15. My 15 year old sister is ready to take
drivers ed. She is taking the online classes. Here I sit, almost
18 years old and haven’t even had my permit, much less been
driving. My 18th birthday is a month away. When my
sister started drivers ed (online) my mom said “if you want, you
can sit with her and freshen up on drivers ed in case you want
your permit at 18. It’s up to you.” I thought about it and
decided I would do that, just in case. I think I am ready but I want
to be sure so I will take the drivers ed online and see where that
goes. At the end of the day, if you are 15-16-17 years old and you
aren’t ready for your permit, your license, to take on that
responsibility, please don’t feel bad. Parents, please don’t
force your kids to get their permit or license. We are all ready
when we are ready. Wouldn’t you rather have a confident driver on
the roads than someone who isn’t ready and is frightened? Thank
you.
