Don’t let another day speed by, get a driver’s license

Getting my driver’s license at the beginning of this year was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Receiving the piece of paper that said I could drive myself was truly a rewarding experience.

Since I can now drive myself wherever I need to go, I don’t need to rely on anyone else. I can drive myself to school, head to golf practice and, most important, buy good food any time without having to nag a friend or parent.

Of course, there are many people who don’t feel the need to get a license or simply just don’t want one. Citing reasons such as being too lazy or having too much work, these people continue to put off getting their license.

Yet, these “reasons” for not getting a driver’s license are just excuses.

There isn’t a person who is so busy that they do not have the time to take the ridiculously easy permit test, three driving lessons and the driving test. In reality, the most time-consuming part of this process is waiting in the endlessly long lines at the DMV.

As soon as I turned 15 and a half, I went to the DMV to get my permit. I couldn’t wait to drive. I then proceeded to spend the next six months learning how to avoid stalling in a stick shift (quite the difficult task), taking driving lessons in a blue and orange Mini Cooper and telling my dad to get in a car at 10 p.m. so I could practice driving.
After six months, I was rewarded for my efforts. I endured the driving test and got my license.

Finally, I don’t have to stand outside for an obnoxiously long time to wait for one of my parents to pick me up from school or other activities. Finally, I can go hang out with my friends whenever I want to. Finally, I am free and independent. That freedom is amazing.

True, practicing driving while being stuck in the permit phase does take some time and tolerance against screaming parents. Yet, the rewards for finally getting a driver’s license are innumerable; the soggy, overpriced cafeteria food cannot compare to the fresh food I can buy off campus any day of the week now from places like Safeway, Chipotle and Togos.

Without a license, people are stuck in situations where they want to go places, hang out with friends and get food, but rely on others to take them. The easy solution is to get off the couch and go get a driving permit, endure the six months practice time and get a license.

Furthermore, driving teaches responsibility to students like no other method can. When driving, the driver is accountable for all of his or her actions and is at fault for any mistakes made. This accountability teaches students to be cautious when driving and follow the rules of driving.

The only downsides of driving are high gas prices, having to do errands for parents and risking the many possible dangers of driving. But these slight downsides are minor compared to the benefits.

To anyone who is old enough to get their permit but doesn’t have it, I suggest they take an hour out of their busy schedules and go to the DMV. The freedom of driving is well worth it.