This article was originally published by Cape Fear Voices/The Teen Scene. It has been republished with permission as part of We Are’s international student voice partnership.
Driving is one of the scariest things to learn. The feeling of being behind the wheel is a combination of fear, anxiety, and excitement; it’s a responsibility, a privilege, as well as a daunting task. Driving marks the beginning of adulthood. On the 4th of April, I got my license. Was I nervous? Absolutely. But I wish somebody would have sat me down and explained the things you have to know how to do, and how to prepare. So that’s what I’ll do for you! I went to the DMV in Wilmington, so things may be slightly different. If you can, schedule an appointment– but you have to be proactive. Appointment slots fill up months in advance, so make one as early as possible to avoid the wait. However, if you haven’t made an appointment, walk-ins are also an option. The wait is honestly the worst part.
Once you get called back, you’ll get your picture taken– don’t forget to smile! I did, and my first picture looked like a mugshot! Luckily I was able to retake my picture; otherwise, I’d have been ashamed to ever show my license to anyone. Then, they’ll ask you a few basic questions– race, gender, etc. They’ll also ask if you want to register to vote, and if you want to be an organ donor. After answering honestly, you’ll be taken outside to your own car. The first part of the test is pretty simple. You sit in your car while the instructor watches, and you follow his instructions– left signal, right signal, breaks, horn. This is to test two things: one, that you know where all the controls in your car are, and two, to check that the car is in working condition. During my test, my car’s tag hadn’t come in yet, so I had to drive my dad’s Cherokee– which I had never driven before! Talk about bad luck. During this time, make sure to adjust your mirrors and put on your seatbelt.
The second part is the actual driving. First, make sure both you and the instructor have seatbelts on. Then, you pull out of your parking spot– make sure to physically turn your head and place your hand on the headrest of the passenger’s seat. If you don’t, you will automatically fail– so don’t just rely on your mirrors! You will drive through a neighborhood. Make sure to go the speed limit. If you don’t know, 25 mph is always a safe assumption. The instructor will check your reflexes with quick stops– when he tells you, hit the break. Hard. My driver instructor told me to imagine that a small child had run out in front of me; you should do the same. You will also need to do a right turn, a left turn, and a 3-point turn. Depending on the place, this may change, but you will likely not have to parallel park.
Driving may seem scary, and getting your license even more so, but it isn’t so bad. Pass or fail, you’re still learning, and there’s nothing wrong with having to try again. We’re all human, at the end of the day, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you for reading, and good luck in any future driving endeavors!
