I sit, my knees shaking, in the drivers license testing center. I am hoping against hope that I will not get the old white haired man. You see, he looks sweet, but experience has taught me that he is anything but. I think to myself, "I will fail for sure if I get grumpy gramps! Why does he not like me? I am youngish, cuteish and niceish. If anyone should like me it should be that old fart!" I heave a big sigh of relief when a man, no I mean a woMAN calls, "MS. Nelson?" Thankful that I did not get gramps, I stand up and walk to the front of the building. I put on my most enduring smile and wait for instructions.
"Vehicle make, model, color, and license plate number?"
"Ughh"..., I stammer. Already I am failing. What kind of a person can't recall the make of their vehicle when they drive it 25 times a day! Finally it comes to me, "Dodge caravan, silver, 2000, license plate number is...just a sec, let me look", I look out the window trying to see the numbers. Do you think I would pass if I got the numbers wrong? I couldn't really see the last one-it was either an 8 or a 2...I guessed 2 hoping it was right.
"Alright Mam" (mam? I am not 40...) "Go turn your car on and roll down the drivers window. Do not put the car in gear. Wait for me.
As I walk out, a nice black gentleman gives me a smile and tells me to keep my cool.
The woMAN takes a minute to come out when she does she asks me to beep my horn, turn on my blinkers and hit my breaks. I think I pass that part as she nods and climbs into the van. She explains that she will tell me way in advance when to turn and so forth. First we start with maneuverability...
"Pull up to this first cone and line your front bumper up with it. Good. Now go out and around the middle cone and line up your back bumper with the middle cone in the front. Now put the car into reverse and back up around the middle cone and back to the side..." Watch the back cone on my right... Too late. Put your car in park so that I can check the cone."
I sit there a little stunned that I ran over a cone that I did not even see.
"Mam, put the car in PARK as I am going to be behind you. I don't want an accident."
"oh, sorry", I muster as I put it into park.
Once back in the car, she tells me the directions to go out onto the street. I drive very slow (st least 5 under the limit) and cautious. It takes us 20 minutes to go around the block (app. 1.5 miles I am told). Back at the building the woMAN turns to me and says, "You passed your driving test, but failed the maneuverability. Would you like to come in and reschedule?"
Duh...? "Sure".
Now to summarize this story...
Make sure your kids are out of my way when I am backing up.
Never let your drivers license expire.
I probably would have been better off with grumpy gramps.
I am supposed to drive with someone 21 or older in the car at all times until I have a valid license.
Is it a felony to drive with out a license?
4 comments:
You make me laugh, Amy. :) I love reading your blog. By the way, he actually DID get me running shoes for our anniversary/mother's day. I just thought it was hilarious that you mentioned in your comment that he should have gotten me some. Dang, you know me pretty well! :)Sorry there are no updated pictures of Natalie...I need to get on that. Lately we've been up loading and saving them all onto Cory's laptop, and since he's gone most the time, and has it with him, it kind of escapes my attention. But I'll be sure to post some new ones just for you, really soon. We will be in Utah probably around the 9th to the 23 or so...we haven't gotten flights yet, and it kinda depends on dates open to our skymiles...we'll keep you posted. As for moving: we will be in Grand Blanc August 1. I'm so excited to do Thanksgiving with you, if you want us to come again! We really missed it last year. I'm so excited to be closer to you guys. Anyway...Cory is busy studying for boards like mad. Natalie is getting about 5 teeth in at once, and I'm LOVING running outside instead of on a treadmill for a change. Hope you guys are doing great!
Oh my heck buddy! I thought that was another fictional story when I started reading, and thought how clever that you worked your real name into it! Someday I'm sure it'll make you laugh!
hhhhmmmm....that can put a damper on things. i dont think the real issue is that you should have a current drivers license to drive, but more importantly that you need one to drop kids off at places like giant eagle and acme to grocery shop. maybe thats not an issue with your kids; but they will be out of school soon, wont they?
so is travis accompanying you on all your adventures, or are you rebelling and illegally driving? i would guess driving with an expired license is not a felony, more of a misdemeanor. but, either way...wouldnt your insurance say tough luck if anything happened?
i enjoyed the update, although you probably would have liked to have written about a different outcome. good luck with avoiding the woMAN on your next appointment.
I'm so sorry that this story is true, but it is HILARIOUS! You'll just have to tell your husband that he's going to have to take a few weeks off work to chauffeur (sp?) you around! I'm still laughing.....
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