I grew up in Florida so the age to get my learner’s permit was 15. I am not sure how happy my folks were, but I sure was. I was finally able to get behind the wheel legally and have that ever sought after freedom. This is where my second daughter is at in her life. She is almost 16 and went through the state’s online driver’s education course. I am not quite sure how that worked if you were behind a keyboard versus a wheel. What do I know?
So, soon enough, my middle one will be on the road, with a navigator by her side to make sure she stops when she needs to, looks both ways and keeps the radio at sane volume levels. With this new adventure in learning how to really drive, what kind of car or truck might she be interested in? She keeps talking about a jeep or a truck. I keep thinking of a muscle car for some odd reason. Perhaps something with a four-speed and high horsepower would be better for the dreaded driving test. I think something inexpensive and economical is going to be her reality.
Looking back, I can recall my Dad teaching me how to drive a stick shift in his 1971 VW Super Beetle. Since I could not really drive on the road at that time, Dad took me out in a piece of property filled with lots of bumps, holes and mounds of dirt, it was behind a local car dealership. My neighbor went along for the ride, trying to hold on and not hit his head as we bounced along. I finally made it as I was determined to learn how to make this little dark, blue bug move forward.
Now, since the Good Lord has a sense of humor, I actually tested with my parents’ other car, a 1973 Mercury Montego Station Wagon. It was dark green with faded vinyl wood-grain siding, and the beige, Naugahyde seats. Don’t forget that roof rack. It was HUGE!
Suffice it to say, I passed. Even with doing a “three-point turn”. Okay, it was more like a 7-point turn, but the testing person was okay with it. The car was long and the road narrow. There was no way by my young estimation, unless using a sliding J-turn, could anyone do less than a 7-point turn-around. I finally met one of my life-long goals of obtaining that magical, plastic coated document which allowed me freedom, as long as it fit within the rules my parents put in place.
So, what car did you take your driver’s permit test in? Was it the same as what you rehearsed in?
Thanks.
Darren