The Mycenaean

Have you ever wanted to drive by yourself? A permit is something you can brag to your friends about and is the first step to driving freely. 

What is a permit?

A driving permit or a learner’s permit is a document that allows teens to start driving under certain conditions. These conditions limit the people you can take, time you can be out, and who must be in the car such as a parent or guardian. It is the first step to being able to drive a vehicle alone. 

Why should students get one?

Students should get their permits for many reasons. Students get a feel for driving in the real world and gain experience. Having a permit allows students to practice with an experienced driver. 

Once people get their licenses, they are prepared and know what to expect. Having a permit saves parents time by allowing the student to run errands for them. Parents are busy and cant drive so people can save their time for grocery shopping, friends’ houses, and more. 

“I’ve always wanted to drive to places like restaurants or maybe even a trampoline park with my friends,” said Layton Holl, sophomore. 

How can a student get it?

The time required to get your permit is often lengthy and tedious, but in the end, well worth people’s time. 

Driver’s Ed can be completed in two ways, through the school or private. With the school, it is more cost-efficient ($65) but takes more time to fully complete. On the other hand, going private is quicker but more costly. 

Before being able to register for driver’s ed, students need to be above the age of 14 and a half and have the necessary documents. The required documents can be found in this Leesville doc. This step is the first way of getting a permit. 

There are two portions to Drivers Ed: the class portion and the behind-the-wheel section. In class, 30 hours total and above 70% grade scores are needed to move behind-the-wheel. Through the school, students can expect to wait six months after the in-class portion. 

Behind the wheel is with a trusted driving instructor and lasts six hours with neighborhood, city, and highway driving. The instructor makes sure the student is safe with their own brakes and controls where the student drives and for how long. 

Finally, once this portion is completed, the permit test is held at the DMV. Some people set a reservation for this in advance, which can be very helpful. If not, a walk-in is possible, but is more time-consuming and possibly a further drive out to another DMV.

The test has 25 questions and a staff member records information such as height, hair, and eye color, along with a picture. Students get a temporary paper permit while the DMV makes the actual one, once the permit is sent everything has been completed. 

Why permits are important

Having a permit can reduce stress on parents or guardians. 

Cooper Childs, sophomore, said, “You can take your siblings to school before and after classes, and you can go wherever, whenever you want.” 

Driving with a parent makes difficult situations easier, they have the experience and know what to do if a problem arises.  It also builds confidence once a student is able to get their license. 

Anything can happen while driving and it is necessary for drivers to be prepared for uncontrollable weather in NC. With a permit, students can drive in many environmental conditions, such as rain or snow. 

Cons

Having to drive with a parent is sometimes undesirable because it makes it seem like people have less control or freedom. They also must be in the front seat. Parents are not allowed to be sitting in the back because of possible safety issues. 

The DMV can be tedious but this is the only way to receive a permit. 

“I had to wait around seven months for me to drive with the instructor and it was really stressful for me,” said Juan Herrera Sanchez, a sophomore. 

People may think once a permit is secured, driving at any time with a parent is possible, however, this is not the case. Student drivers can only be out between the hours of 5 AM to 9 PM. 

Tips

The driving instructor provides a student handbook that records progress and rules for intersections, passing, blindspots, and much more. Reviewing the handbook is necessary for understanding the basics for driving rules. 

Taking practice tests and studying road signs are crucial. Getting ready for possible test questions is a great way to prepare for the real test. 

Sleeping and eating well prior to the test day will help students feel refreshed and more energetic. Make sure to read each question carefully and not overthink any questions. Do not stress about the questions, either. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, every student should strive to get their permit, the benefits of having one are endless and great to have in any situation. The process takes long but the rewards make it all better.