Bumps in the Road

Every kid awaits their 16th birthday because they can finally have some freedom and be able to drive themselves around. My 16th birthday came and went. Still no license.

The day after I turned 14 I went to the DMV to take the test and get my permit.

By the fifth question I knew I had failed the test. I had already missed the maximum amount. I expected the test to be all common sense but little did I know it was the complete opposite. The white instructional book I left at home had all the answers in it.

I never opened it — big regrets.

I handed the lady behind the counter the test and she gave me a fake, soft smile when she told me that I missed 11. I missed too many to be able to retake that day so I walked out of the DMV with my head down.

I realized that I should have studied more and taken the driving test more seriously. I was disappointed but it got even worse when I saw 20 Instagram pictures of people getting their permit with the caption “Watch out, I am on the road!!!”

Fast forward six months. I walked back into the DMV. I was confident I would pass the test — this time I had actually studied. I just wanted to get it over with.

As I approached the DMV worker she gave me the same fake smile and beckoned me over.

She gave me the thin sheet of white paper with my three digit number on it. I waited the longest 30 minutes of my life before I was called up to the counter.

I walked over the desk, pulled out the all too familiar blue plastic school chair and took a seat. This time I got the first 10 questions right. I was in the groove.

I suddenly gained a lot of confidence and ended up getting a 22 out of 25 — a passing score.

I skipped out of the DMV with my mom rushing behind me. I was so excited I had finally passed at age 14 and a half- six months to late.

I refused to post the classic “Watch out, I am on the road!!!” Instagram so I just texted a few friends thinking it was the biggest deal ever.

A full two years of no driving took me to my 16th birthday.

Three days after my birthday I went to the DMV. I had not studied at all. I still hadn’t learned  my lesson. My mom was disappointed in me for not studying because my parents had warned me so many times that I needed to study and I had refused.

I assumed since I had passed before I could easily pass again. Another big mistake.

I missed six the first time– a failing score. I tried to take the test again. On my second try I missed 10– another failing score.

About a week later I went over to my grandma’s house and she helped me study. She spent $15 on an online package of around 500 questions from the driving test. She texted me every day reminding me to take a practice test. I followed through on that about three out of the 10 times. I would reassure her that I had practiced. I studied for a whole week and then went to take the test again.

I didn’t pass.

I had one more try before I would have to wait six months to take the test again. I didn’t pass.

My aunt had even given me a car, her gold 2005 Honda Civic. It wasn’t the best car but it was a car at least, if only I could get behind the wheel. The car sat in the driveway mocking me.

That night, after a sigh of disbelief, my parents decided that I would have to take Driver’s Education.

I was sitting in Driver’s Ed preparing for the eight hours of torture and six hours of driving that were required to pass the class.

I went to the DMV the next day after I completed the required amount of hours. I walked up the lady at the counter with a smirk. I had beat the system. I had avoided passing the test at the DMV and I could drive. Take that, DMV. Teagan 1- DMV 0. For the first time I walked out of the DMV proud. I could drive.

I could finally drive.

On my first day driving I wasted a whole tank of gas driving around the city listening to music way too loud. It has been a week and I haven’t had any accidents yet. After five visits to the DMV and five failed tests later, I am officially on the road. Two years later and I finally learned my lesson, to prioritize taking your driving test.