Stranded Seniors
NEIRAD enilno editionAs the new school year starts, one of the biggest perks a senior looks forward to is driving to school. Yet, not every senior gets to partake in this automotive luxury if they haven’t gotten their license or a car is not available. That means they have to endure the school bus or scrounge a ride with a friend if mom or dad isn’t game to provide daily chauffeur service.
There are many reasons why people don’t have their licenses. Some seniors are not old enough, others don’t have the time and the rest are not motivated.
Evan Rogers is a senior who does not have his license. This is not Evan’s choice. His birthday held up the process. Evan was born Sept. 14, 1993. He currently has his permit and plans to get his license. Evan gets rides with his friends and his parents.
Perhaps, that convenience has contributed to the lethargy that has contributed to Rogers not taking the state exam. “The fact that my friends have their licenses is the reason I don't have mine. I have a later birthday, and it seems like it can go two ways. Some kids get really determined to get their license quickly because all their friends have it. Others, like me, are completely uninspired because their friends can all drive. I have become an expert ride moocher; it’s a gift and a curse,” Rogers said.
Getting a license is a lengthy process. Once somebody turns 16 he or she is eligible for a permit. From there they can either take driver’s education to obtain a license in four months or be self taught to get the license in six months. (the DMV is notoriously backed up, so book early to avoid a mammoth wait!) Once a teen gets her license she is still subject to some restrictions. They can only drive family members after six months and friends after 12 months.
Zach Sherwood is another license-free senior. His birthday is June 10, 1993. That means Sherwood has had plenty of time to become a legal driver. Instead, Sherwood opted to let mom and dad stay in the driver’s seat. “People work their whole lives to get a chauffeur. I already have a one. Her name is mom,” Sherwood said.
Sherwood has completed driver’s education. He has only had his permit for one month. He has to wait another three months before he is eligible to take the test.
Tommy Farren and Sam Nelson are two seniors who have their licenses. They got them because they didn’t want to have to rely on their mothers. They think that people without their licenses are “lazy or stupid.”
Getting your license is worth the wait. It is better to schedule test dates earlier because the influx of teenagers that make the wait longer than ever. But take it from a few cocky seniors who told everyone when they were taking their test – keep the test date a secret. It saves losing face if you fail the first time.
