Getting My Driving License

Oct. 9, 2021, 6:37 p.m.

Over the past few months, I have been working to get my American driving license. While I know how to drive (and have an international license), the timing of things just didn't work out when I moved here for college. I never needed a car at school, and I was lucky enough to be able to carpool to work most days, so getting a license never seemed that important to me. However, now that I have the time, I am determined to get that laminated card.

I've always kind of enjoyed driving. I wouldn't consider myself a gear-head or someone with a particularly keen appreciation for certain types of cars, but I like the feeling of being behind the wheel and being able to go places. Madison, Wisconsin is a great town, but it doesn't have a robust public transport system like Philly or New York does. So that means that if you want to go somewhere that's not within walking distance, you're out of luck (unless you want to pay for an Uber). There are so many places around here that I would love to visit, but haven't been able to because of my lack of wheels. I'm really looking forward to the freedom that having a license and a car will allow me.

There's also just something about having a car that seems important to my perception of my adulthood. Some of the things that I see as important when calling myself an adult are: having my own place (check), having a job and making my own living (check), paying taxes (boring, but check), and having a car (in progress). I know that there are many adults that don't have cars or who don't drive (which I definitely respect), however for myself, I would like to have my own form of transportation.

Well, I should hopefully be able to take my Road Test within the next month, after which I might start searching for a reasonably priced used car. It's exciting to be tackling this goal, and it looks like I'm within range of achieving it soon!