legacyme3 : I totally agree with the drinking part, and that's the positive thing about going out without driving. However, the bad thing, at least in my city, is moving. During the night and before morning arrives, public transport is very limited: there are different bus lines which have immense layouts and take forever to pass by any station (coupled with the fact there's drunk people aboard), the underground does work all night the weekends but doesn't reach every place in the city, and taxi/cabs aren't that frequent at such times (nor are they willing to take you everywhere, who knows why).

That's the main reason I got my license. I have no problem in using public transport during the day, in my city it's very useful and fast and allows us to bypass most of the traffic mess thanks to bus lanes (all the mess if going underground), and also allows me to listen to music and think about what I want during the travel. But the night is a different thing, and who knows when could I be needed as driver in family meetings or travels, so it's kind of a backup for me.

I was 16-17 when I got mine. It is a huge step and a common ID for everything. I can totally relate to the DMW being as slow as molasses. My state was HORRIBLE for it for years. It is within the past few years they got a new building and more staffers,so it is considerably easier now.

To Legacy,I can understand with number 3. I get talked into that because I rarely drink. But as I said to many people,I would rather be pi$$ed off at you for calling me out here to drive you home rather than see you hurt or killed over something stupid and preventable.

I got my learner's permit at the same age that I could get it, but I still don't have my driver's license...too many things just kept on getting in the way and keeping me from practicing properly. I know that I need a driver's license, but things keep on preventing me from doing the necessary things to actually get that driver's license...it's just as frustrating as it sounds.

zanderlex : I was in America and was 15 years old when I got my permit's license. I took Driver's Ed in school and I was the worst. First day, almost ran over the "teachers" who are the basketball coaches- not sure how they were credited to be driving instructors since the only thing they did was drive their golf course to the opposite side of the driving course which was the bus stop and text.
Well, I almost ran them over in their little golf cart.

I was awful. But, I got my driver's license after finishing the class - they gave me a paper so when I turned 17 I went in to the DMV gave them the paper, they took a new picture and gave me my license no exam nothing at all. So that was nice.

I didn't have a car until 19 years old and I drove on the opposite side of the road a few times- downtown square was under construction and many signs were not up so it was hard for a new driver, and someone like me who was not familiar with the town to know which streets were one way only.

But, luckily no accidents. I say luckily because lord knows I should have had about 5 by now. But, I am a great driver now at 24 years old. I drive just about everywhere. I used to drive to Orlando, FL (1:30 hr drive) almost daily. 

I like driving now. I am learning to drive manual- it's taking some time. Then, I want to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
At first, I was awful at driving, a real menace to the streets lol but, practice and patience and a lot of paying attention to other drivers will really help you.

Now, reason why I got my license so young is because in FL it seems that you can't function well without your own vehicle. Places like Gainesville, FL city next to where I live is very college friendly so it's not too hard to get by without a car and rely on public transportation or walking but, my hometown, forget it- rely on public transportation and be late always. Plus, they are confusing, the buses are given a color for the route they take and so you have to go on the site and find your destination and memorize the route color then, read the front of every bus that stops by your place and wait until the one with the right color shows up. I have taken the wrong one before- pain in the butt. Ended up waiting at the station, getting on another one and then literally circling the area I needed to get to. Took almost 2 when if I had walked it would have taken 45 minutes but, since there were no sidewalks then, I did not want to walk.

But, it all takes time and practice.

I was 20 when I first got my license. Here in Norway you can get it when you hit 18, but I did not need one since I lived and worked in Oslo so it was not needed. 

I forgot to tell one story about my early driving experience. I was 16, had my permit, and of course I was going through driver's ed. Well one day I was driving to school in my mom's vehicle, and as I was pulling into the parking lot, instead of hitting the brakes, I hit the throttle and jumped the curb right in front of the school. While many people were standing outside, now right in front of the school there is a huge sidewalk there, so nobody was around, but I was really embarrassed at the time lol. Now I look back and laugh at it, but that is just one mess up I can think of. Never been in a crash, or anything, I've avoided crashes since then, but I figure I would share that story. I know some people are nervous about driving, and it's understandable, but once you get the hang of it. It's actually quite easy to do.

I officially got my license the year of my 26th birthday - I can't exactly remember when. But I do remember that it was after two failed tests that had me quite discouraged. Also, Honey was my teacher and even today he gets stressed out (albeit less and less now) when I drive. I do to; I always feel like he's trying to control my driving even though I am (I think!) in perfect control.

Honestly? I'm hoping I'll have it when I'm 17. I don't want it to be any later than that, since I need a license and I need to get a job. I'll probably have to come back here and post about it in like, a year and a half if it isn't right..

I think I got my after I graduated when I turned 18. I needed it for my first job as a pizza delivery driver. 

Depending on if I do what I plan to do this month, I should be able to have my license in July, around the time before school starts. I'll still be 16, so that's good.

Lexatom : Hm that's a bit weird, nobody in my state would get their license at such a young age, things much be really different where you are. Most of the people I know couldn't even get their permit until they were at least 16 and weren't able to get a full license until they were 18. One of my best friends has had his permit for a long time now and is still nowhere close to getting his license because of classes and the tests.

zanderlex :

In the state of Tennessee, you can get your permit at the age of 15. Only reason I don't have it now is because I saw no point since I had no way of practicing. To get your license you need to be at least 16 years old, have had your permit for 6 months, and have at least 50 hours of driving time.

Lexatom : Lol, people are doing things younger and younger now, literally everything.


How would they know that you have been driving for 50 hours though? Do you have to like sign something every time you get into a car or is it just some honor system thing?

zanderlex :

I have no idea to be honest with you, lol. I'll probably find out when I get my permit on Monday.

I didn't get my license until I was 17 mainly because I had a seizure and they told me to wait a few months until I could drive again.

I was 21 or 22 when I first got my beginners and after some years and fear of failing the test, my licence lapsed and I had to start the process all over again. I'm 26 now and have my learners still but 2017 is the year I just get-er-done and put my anxiety behind me. I worry now - but maybe in a year I'll look back and laugh and ask why I took so long to do something that most people manage to accomplish. Good luck to everyone going for their DL this year.