A New Driver in the Family

Shockingly, Scooter has begun to drive a car.  I’m not sure that has completely sunk in.  She turned 15 last year and took driver’s education last in fall of 2010.  Scooter earned her permit in January and was required to drive for 50 hours under our supervision.  She counted the days until her birthday when she would turn 16 and be eligible to take her driving exam.  On that day we drove up to the DMV to take her exam…but a problem quickly arose.
Scooter’s car was graciously given to us by my brother and sister-in-law.  But they live out of state so I had to get new plates and registration.  I had done that, but left the out of state inspection sticker (I mean, it wasn’t due for another three months and why spend $10 if you don’t have to?) When we arrived for the exam early in the afternoon, we were discouraged to find that we couldn’t take the exam without getting an in state inspection.

We got back to the DMV to take the exam around 4:15 only to find out that they ran their last exam at 4:00.  As the gentleman told us we were too late, I saw Scooter begin to tear up.  I asked him if there was anything we could do and explained that we had been by earlier in the day.  It was her birthday after all.  He paused for a moment, looked back at the clock, looked at my weeping daughter, and then  said that he would see what he could do.  (So note the other important lesson for Scooter that day: A woman’s tears are a powerful force.  I have encouraged her to use them only for good).

He returned a few minutes later and told us that he had arranged for her to take her exam.  She took her driving exam and made an exceptional score, well above what was required for passing.  She has the maturity, the skills and now the license.  Everything looked fantastic.

So it came as some surprise two months later when she had an accident.