Wednesday, October 17, 2007

My Special Day at the DMV

On the Taraday Calendar today is the day to blog about the day we got our driver's license. My story is not as cool and funny as Tara's...nor as well remembered! But here's how it went down. I had taken the classroom part of Driver's Ed in High School as a 7th period. It wasn't difficult but it did make my already long day longer. Also, back then, you could take the driving portion of Driver's Ed through the school. I don't think they offer that anymore. At least not around here. And certainly not for free. So, I did all that, but I never actually went down to take my test. I am pretty sure I drove most of my Senior year, when I was 16 and 17, without actually having a license. Of course that is illegal, duh! But I don't remember it being as serious as it is now. Not saying it shouldn't have been, it just wasn't. Remember that this was back when auto insurance was a good idea, but not mandatory. Things were just a little different. Anyway...lets see...I started college, finally turned 18 in February of 1981, and took myself on over to the DMV. I drove myself there! Geez. Honestly? I remember nothing of the examiner or the driving or the written portion of the test. I passed everything on the first time, but that isn't such a great feat considering I'd been cruising the mean streets of La Puente for over a year! It did feel great to be official though, I remember that. When I got home, I called up my friend Rikk, who was still in high school and offered to take him for an official drive. He was excited too...well, in fairness, he was an easily excited person, but still it was nice to have someone sharing in the good times. We went to Baskin-Robbins and had ice cream cones, then we drove around just for the heck of it.
The license that I have now has a picture on it that is probably 10 years old, because they just keep giving me extensions. It doesn't expire now until 2010. I do look younger I guess, but unfortunately it isn't a great picture. I know, I know...that is a whole thing, not liking your driver's license picture. I hate to be a cliche...but really, it isn't great.

6 comments:

minijonb said...

great story. i especially liked the Baskin-Robbins part. mmmn... ice cream...

laura b. said...

MiniJonB: Glad you liked my tale. I think that was my favorite part too!

Tara said...

Good story, LB! And to be driving illegally! You're such a rebel! :) I didn't learn to drive until I was a freshman in college. In high school we had one friend in our pack who could drive, so we'd go out to lunch now and then with her.

laura b. said...

Tara: haha! Pretty much my one rebellious act. I guess I was lucky nothing bad happened. I do remember spending a lot of my Senior year being the one driving everyone when we went out T.P.ing...oooh, more rebellion!

Churlita said...

My girls love when I get a new driver's license. They always say, "hand it over so we can make fun of your picture." Nice.

laura b. said...

Churlita: Maybe in 2010 they will finally want me in there to take a new and even more hideous photo.
Kids are special...