Let's Get Driving

By Olivia Baker, M&M TIPster

In the United States, on most teen’s fifteenth birthday, they are thinking
about one thing; getting their learner’s permit. They are finally
able to start driving the car and are one step closer to driving on
their own.

However, in some states teens can get their permits earlier
and some have to wait even longer. In Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas,
North Dakota, South Dakota, and South Carolina, kids ages fourteen and
up are allowed to get their learner’s permit. Those who are fourteen
and three months are allowed to get their permits in Nebraska. Those
who are fourteen and six months are allowed to get theirs in Idaho,
Montana and Wyoming. And at fourteen years and nine months old, teens
are allowed to get their permit in Michigan.

Some have a little longer to wait. At fifteen and six months teens living in Arizona,
California, Hawaii, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wisconsin
are allowed to get their permits. Teens in Maryland have to wait nine
months, after their fifteenth birthday. And in Connecticut, New York,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Rhode Island teens have to wait until their sixteenth
birthday in order to get their permit. But they shouldn’t be too sad, because leaner’s permits don’t even exist in New Hampshire!

When a group of teens were asked about the age limit for getting a permit,
they replied, “I think fifteen is a good age, because it is not too
young and not too old. The whole reason teenagers have accidents is
because of inexperience, so age is not the most important factor.”

Though sometimes it varies slightly, the process to get your permit is
generally the same across the United States. First you have to go to
a local DMV with a parent or legal guardian. You walk in and tell
them that you’re ready to get your permit. You sit and wait until they
call you, and when they do, it's paperwork time. You have to show
proof of age and identity, your social security number, proof of U.S.
citizenship or legal presence, proof of school attendance, and birth
certificate. The fee to get the learner’s permit is anywhere from $10
to $25.

Next up, its test time. First of a vision test must be
taken. Then the permit test is usually either a written test, or a
test completed on the computer. It consists of about 20-25 questions
about road rules, traffic signs and signals, drugs and alcohol, and
driving responsibly. Once finished with the test, the attendant will
tell you if you have passed or failed. If you fail the test, its
okay. Study up, and in a week you will be able to take it again. If
you do pass, congratulations! You will go over to have your picture
taken and give your signature, which will both appear on your new
permit.

A learner’s permit is an exciting thing to have. You are
finally able to drive! When some teens were interviewed about what
the best part of having your permit is, they responded, “Being able to
drive even though you still have to have an adult in the car.”

There are some rules to having a permit. First of all you have to have a
licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age in the passenger seat.
When asked to comment on whether or not this was necessary, a Duke
TIP camper, Chris Ballinger, answered, “I probably wouldn’t be able to
drive without a parent in the car with me.” Depending on the state,
there is usually a curfew for someone with a permit. For example, in
Tennessee you cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. While some
people may disagree with these restrictions, they are designed to keep
new inexperienced drivers out of trouble and out of harm’s way.
Some may think it is unnecessary and some believe it is very
important, but either way a permit is a cool thing to have. It gives
a form of identification, and helps you to learn the important skill
of driving. Many teens greatly enjoy having a permit and being able
to enjoy driving for the first time. Even if it is with a parent.