[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”28px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
I grew up in Florida so the age to get my learner\u2019s permit was 15.\u00a0 <\/span>I am not sure how happy my folks were, but I sure was.\u00a0 <\/span>I was finally able to get behind the wheel legally and have that ever sought after freedom.\u00a0 <\/span>This is where my second daughter is at in her life.\u00a0 <\/span>She is almost 16 and went through the state\u2019s online driver\u2019s education course.\u00a0 <\/span>I am not quite sure how that worked if you were behind a keyboard versus a wheel.\u00a0 <\/span>What do I know?<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 <\/span>With this new adventure in learning how to really drive, what kind of car or truck might she be interested in?\u00a0 <\/span>She keeps talking about a jeep or a truck.\u00a0 <\/span>I keep thinking of a muscle car for some odd reason.\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps something with a four-speed and high horsepower would be better for the dreaded driving test.\u00a0 <\/span>I think something inexpensive and economical is going to be her reality.<\/p>\n Looking back, I can recall my Dad teaching me how to drive a stick shift in his 1971 VW Super Beetle.\u00a0 <\/span>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.\u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/p>\n Now, since the Good Lord has a sense of humor, I actually tested with my parents\u2019 other car, a 1973 Mercury Montego Station Wagon.\u00a0 <\/span>It was dark green with faded vinyl wood-grain siding, and the beige, Naugahyde seats.\u00a0 <\/span>Don\u2019t forget that roof rack.\u00a0 <\/span>It was HUGE!\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Suffice it to say, I passed.\u00a0 <\/span>Even with doing a \u201cthree-point turn\u201d.\u00a0 <\/span>Okay, it was more like a 7-point turn, but the testing person was okay with it.\u00a0 <\/span>The car was long and the road narrow.\u00a0 <\/span>There was no way by my young estimation, unless using a sliding J-turn, could anyone do less than a 7-point turn-around.\u00a0 <\/span>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.<\/p>\n So, what car did you take your driver\u2019s permit test in?\u00a0 <\/span>Was it the same as what you rehearsed in?<\/p>\n Thanks.<\/p>\n Darren<\/p>\n