I got my permit!

@SomeCowgirl (32191)
United States
December 7, 2009 9:11pm CST
I really should have gotten it years ago but I didn't want to go through the paperwork... Though recently I realized I'm not going to feel better about myself until I do, so I went through the paperwork required to get my permit for this state, and now I have it. I used to have a medical condition that prevented me from getting my permit when I was in High School. Then I was deemed a'okay... and it's taken me years later to re-do the paperwork and then go to get my permit. I went though, and now I am very happy. lol. In any case, Did you get your permit later then legally allowed for your area? (***Permit is the name for a card that allows you to legally drive whilst someone is in the car**) Per my state, I have to wait a year and a half before I can get my license, but I am happy just having a permit!
3 people like this
18 responses
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
15 Dec 09
They make you wait a year and a half? That's different from our state. I was elgible (everyone is elgible I guess) to get my permit when I was 15 1/2. But I didn't. I just wanted to get my license period. So I went ahead and got my license when I was sixteen. The day I turned sixteen. My parents let me stay home from school. Of course my parents preferred for me to drive with them in the car for a while, but they did let me go off by myself. In Oklahoma you only have to wait 6 months after you get a permit before you get your license.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
15 Dec 09
I hadn't taken into consideration that fact that you mentioned you had a health problem that kept you from getting your license.
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
15 Dec 09
I think that that is the way it works here in North Carolina, I mean with the eligibility thing... But I had to wait until 18 when to the doctor's and she did an EEG on me and then cleared me, said I could taper off my meds. I'm sure that if I knew how to drive I could have just gone for my license, but I have to learn. I drove a little bit with my husband and my husband's mom. His mom is going to teach me how to drive on the weekends when we're both off work and if weather permits.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
15 Dec 09
Oh I meant to say that I don't think it's always been a year and a half wait to get your license after a permit... I guess it's something they've done to ensure that the driver knows what they are doing and are confident... Who knows maybe a bunch of scared off their assets (drop the t) instructor's banded together after a few kids from hell came barreling in and took the test after a short period? lol... I don't know.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 Dec 09
I never got a permit. I got my license when I was old enough. My daughter is wanting her permit and I guess I'm going to have to break down and get it sooner or later.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Have you always lived in TN? I know that driving laws seem to really change fast. I had to get my permit but I thought that I could get my license straight away if I wanted. I think that was my understanding a few years ago, so either the laws changed or I just misunderstood. I am happy to have my permit now. I know in School that some of my friends and acquaintances were made to wait to get their's... I suppose because the parents felt they weren't mature enough, I know one acquaintance told me her parents wanted her to mature first.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Dec 09
I was raised here, moved around, then moved back. Here..with the teens..they have to have a permit for a certain amount of time before getting a license. If they drop out of school they are no longer eligible for either one. If their grades drop and they have either one..they get suspended and that can run into a lot of money with reinstatement fees and such. Now an adult that has never had a permit or a license and has graduated or gotten a GED can just go take the test and get a license.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Dec 09
I'm not a parent, but my little sister is like a daughter to me because I raised her for many years. I know what you mean.. it's a scary thought having them drive because you're worried they may get hurt. You also don't want em to grow up too quickly and you also want to give them their freedom. It's very confusing! I was so proud of my sister the first time she drove. I was video taping her lol. She must have been so annoyed lol :P (I wasn't distracting her while she was driving, promise lol)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
8 Dec 09
Well congrats and drive safe you hear? LOL I got my driver's license when I was 16. When I was 40 odd years old, my ex drove my vintage Delta88 into a canal and drowned both the car and my registration and license which I kept under the dash. As a single mom without a car, I never bothered to get my license renewed. Then I moved out West and it wasn't until I met my current hubs that I got things back on track. Didn't stop me from driving in the meantime though. I'd just cry and claim I wanted to get home because I'd just caught my hubs cheating on me with my best friend (no names), and whatever cop had stopped me, would wave me on without checking me out. I didn't get stopped often though............
1 person likes this
• Regina, Saskatchewan
10 Dec 09
You learn to be creative around the law when you know you are in the wrong! LOL
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
lol, and I am sure there are some that don't care so much as long as we're safe! really if we think about it here in the States atleast they seem to pull people over more now just for the money that the tickets received give the state government and local lawn enforcement.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Wow, very sneaky! playing the distraught wife! I don't know how I would react if I got pulled over, which I am sure will happen. It seems like atleast once in awhile a person will get pulled over... I know I've been pulled over with friend's driving and even then I was nervous!
1 person likes this
@cjfoust (614)
• United States
8 Dec 09
Congratulations! I did get my permit when I was legally allowed, but not because I was in a rush to drive. To this day, driving is still not one of my favorite things to do. I am comfortable driving, but it's everyone else on the road that makes me nervous!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Dec 09
My husband has told me that once I am comfortable enough to drive on the roads I will be driving everywhere! lol! I told him where I would drive, though somewhat jokingly, but the areas I outlined were mostly everywhere we find ourselves going on a regular basis! lol! I've been told you have to watch others on the road as well and not just yourself. I believe that to be true as I've been the witness to many stupidities on the road.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
Yes having concentration and knowing the parts of the car will help so that when your out in an area your not familiar AND / OR the car breaks down you'll know what to do... or how to get back to a familiar area, etc.
@marctiu (829)
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
I think that it is very easy to drive. I think that if driving is a sports it will be my game. Well, first you must have the concentration and then familiarize the parts of the car so that you will be driving like a pro.
1 person likes this
@maezee (42003)
• United States
14 Dec 09
Congratulations! I got my permit about 6 months or so after I "legally" could. I really couldn't afford to go do my behind the wheel right away, and that's why I had to wait. I had friends who waited.. well, who are STILL "waiting" to get their permit (but aren't making any proactive measures to actually get it.)
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
27 Feb 10
Maezee, I'm sorry I didn't see this response before! It took me awhile to legally get mine because of laziness! I had to see a doctor before I was legally able, but I'd seen one at 18, here I am 22, and finally have my permit! It bothered me so much that I didn't try before, my husband finally told me I'd better do it for my own sanity! Now he tells me when I learn how to drive, I'm going to be HIS chaffeur! Ha! Okay I probably will!
@RyanneD (186)
• United States
8 Dec 09
I didn't wait that long. I was SO EXCITED to start driving! However, my brother-in-law, who's 28, still doesn't have his permit or license. He lives in Seattle and he takes the bus everywhere.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
8 Dec 09
I had to wait for a bit, but then later just got lazy and discouraged. Now though I am encouraged from my husband and his mom, so I am learning how to. I know some people don't have their permit or license, and may not need it... but we live out in the country, lol, so it's a must for me!
8 Dec 09
I didn't start driving until I was 19. Though I had a medical condition, I was going to college since I was 16, was carpooled, and it was just real convenient. Then, when I DID get my permit and tried to take the test, I failed 3 times before I got it!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
gentlevelvet, First of all welcome to mylto and sorry it took me a bit to get back to you. Also, yes it took me a few times but this was before I was legally cleared myself, so after being legally cleared it took only once!
@aprilten (1966)
• Philippines
8 Dec 09
I went to a driving school and after finishing the driving course I went to the agency and applied for a driving license. It's been a long time and I can't remember how long after application did I get my license. How about in your place how long did you have to wait before getting your permit.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
sorry it took so long to respond, for some reason I forgot about these responses or they didn't come through to email. In any case, here the process is driver's ed, test, permit, test, driving test, license. So When in school your eligible to take a driver's ed class, which I did, part of the class is studying and the other part is driving, but I didn't get to take driving as I was not medically certified yet. Then, you go down and get your permit from the dmv (department of motor vehicles) I am not sure that you have to take the test again after driver's ed, I don't think so as you have a certificate certifying you, but I didn't get that as I didn't finish the course. In any case, then you get your picture taken and your permit, voila! The Driver's License you get after so much time for learning to drive. Well I think the laws have changed in the few years since I was in school so I had to go through the process I am about to outline to you. The process I had to go through was 1. Call The DMV and ask them what I would need to do to get certified... 2. Have my doctor fill out the forms again 3. Send the forms back 4. Study 5. Wait until after my new social security card arrived 6. Get my id with my new name (I just got married). 7. Study More 8. Go get my permit. now all I need to do now is 9. Practice so I can get my license in a year and a half. I had to be medically cleared as I did have a medical condition, but don't anymore.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
8 Dec 09
HI I know how to drive when I was 16 but I never drive alone. I got my permit right the way and just failed two driving test and then good to go. I hate to do the test over and over again so much but lucky me that I dont have to do it.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I've taken two permit tests. One was a few years ago, another was just last Friday. I think that I may have taken another test before as well, but can't rightly remember. It wasn't as hard to pass once I studied, but the times before I hadn't studied.
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
8 Dec 09
Congratulation on obtaining your permit .I still dont have a permit but I am hoping that I will learn how to drive and get my permit next year .Also happpy that you have overcome your problem .Here on the island we have one set permit for the entire area so once you get your permit ,you can drive anywhere .
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
Here it is a bit different as we've got to first learn to drive and thus the permit. I think I remember seeing a discussion of yours about trying to obtain your permit. Well I do hope you can learn to drive and get your permit. Here it's a permit if you need to learn to drive... a license if you know how to... The permit holder must ride with an adult who has atleast five years experience, I believe, is the law for my state.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
8 Dec 09
Well, well, well. You are turning a new chapter in life. First the new job, and now the permit. I guess, you are getting ready to drive for when you get that new car in a few months. Goodluck and congratulations!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
You'd be right bounce! lol! Yes, I'm getting ready so that maybe on days my husband has to work mornings early I can take him to work, then myself, and pick him up when I get off work.
• United States
8 Dec 09
I waited forever.... I got married very young and the man I married didn't want me driving in fear I'd follow him LOL I was 26 when I got my permit. I was so over joyed I took it to my ex in-laws and said guess what I got. They were so happy for me and said it was about time. I have to say that was one of the happiest days in of life. congrats !!!!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I am sure it was an exciting day for you. I am feeling better already as at first I was scared a lot of people would say they got their's when they were younger then I. My husband lol is opposite of your husband at the time, my hubs says bout time I learned as he's tired of driving me around! lol! I know he's half kidding though, but I do know he also can't wait until he's finally the passenger, and I the driver! lol!
• United States
8 Dec 09
im almost 17 and you can get your permit at 15 and 9 months i lost my birth certificate and social sucurity card so i couldnt get it sadly everyone i know has theres and i still don have my social sacurity card :[
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Dec 09
You you have to wait a bit to get your social security, I recently got mine changed as I got married, I honestly don't think it took too long for it to come in the mail... Though I know your anticipating getting your permit. Yea, I'm 22 and just now getting around to getting mine, lol.
@evydabest (197)
• Malta
8 Dec 09
It took me quite a time before i got my licence, 18 months it took! I failed to get it 3 times because the state kept on refusing. Only until i realised that i had done something wrong, that i reapplied and manage to receive it. But unfortunately :( , it was extremly hard work. More so i got my permit now, i could remember feeling as relieved and happy as you where. It was quite a happy time. Anyway, i'm happy for you, congratulations :).
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
I know I studied this time around until I stopped paying attention to what I was reading, that's when the worry kicked in but for no reason, as now I have a paper temporary permit, and am waiting for the real thing in the mail!
• United States
8 Dec 09
Good for you! How exciting! I will be 21 in April and I still don't have my permit. I could have had it when I turned 15, I believe but wasn't able to get around to it, because my mom.. long story lol. Anywho, I think it's fine if you wait. It's not like it's required and if you don't need to drive, then no worries :) I stay home a lot and I don't see myself ever having a car, so I'm not too sure what the future holds. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind and get it. I just don't need one at the moment.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Dec 09
My husband and I stay home alot as well, but even so for us it'd be more of a convenience. I just started work and while that's not so much the problem, the fact that I have to turn a time sheet in every friday is. Lol, let me explain, I work at one place but have to turn my time sheet in at another. I sit with my great grandmother and clean and take care that she's doing okay, so while I go straight to her house in the mornings, on Friday's I must go take the time sheet back to headquarters to get paid... lol, long story. I didn't really feel I needed a license until now either though, that and I was a bit scared I wouldn't past the tests.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
8 Dec 09
Hi Amber, I confused here, your permit is like our learners licence but a real licence is issued when a driving test is passed. So if one passed the driving test after 2 months of driving with someone else they would then get the licence to drive alone, so why do you have to wait and does it mean that if you fail your driving test you still have the right to drive alone if one and half years have passed?
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
I read this but I am not sure why I didn't respond to this earlier when i first saw it awhile back. Hmm... Let me try to answer all your questions. A Learner's Permit, as you know, entitles a driver to practice with another driver who has had their license for alteast five years I believe it is. They MUST wait one year and a half before they get their driver's license as per law. I know that for renewal of license you can get that I believe 6 months prior to your birthdate which is what they go by. For me, I hadn't looked at the expiration date, but I think my permit will expire in the year and a half, or it maybe on my birthday. I think they want you to wait so as to give you plenty of time to learn, though I am sure many people do this, legally your not supposed to drive until you have your permit so a year and a half gives you plenty of time to learn. Now if you fail the driving portion you just go back and take it again. My husband failed the driving portion once because of accidental speeding, he sped a few miles over the speed limit but on the test it has to be precise, just out on the road without the instructor is when you can speed a little bit and not get pulled over... I think it's five miles above the speed limit... Did that answer your questions or only prove to confuse you more? I don't mean to, but even to me my response is a bit confusing. If I didn't know what I was talking about I wouldn't know what I was talking about.
• United States
8 Dec 09
Hello somecowgirl, it also took me a little while after my allowed time to get my permit and license as well. I used to have a car and drive(illegally) when I was about 16 or 17 and then I decided it wasn't a smart idea and let my mom take the car and sell it and so I went without a permit or license until I was about 21 and then I decided it was about time as my husband had been the one doing all the driving and I knew it was about time I gave him a break. When I went to take my test I failed the written part the first time on a speed limit question and was told that while I had the right answer it was wrong because it had just been changed from 55 to 65 and there is a new book just put out 10 days before i was taking the test...I didn't quite agree with failing but I just waited the 24 hours needed and then retook the test and passed... In my state you are allowed to get your permit when you are 15 and then you have to drive with an adult for at least a year I think and then also have to have like 65 hours of driving in and then you can get your license, if you are over 16 you can have your license for 24 hours and then can go in and take your driving test and get your license. We need to renew our license every 4 years but that just involves paying a fee and getting your picture retaken.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Dec 09
I think that the laws are pretty much similar here. We can miss 5 questions, but 6 is failing. There were a few that I didn't go with my gut instinct on and so didn't answer correctly, but I still passed. My husband went in to get his license renewed the same day, and he had to take the sign test, and then get his picture taken. The fee was $35.00 though, and they will mail us my permit and his license, we get a temporary permit / license....
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
Oh I can definitely understand the written part being so strict, and the driving part being more lax in that you have a point range to pass. I haven't taken the driving part yet, but maybe where they are lax with the written part here, they are more strict with the driving part? Either way driving knowledge and skill is necessary!
• United States
10 Dec 09
We are not allowed to miss any on the written exam but for the driving part they give you points for each action and as long as you are within a certain range of points then you can pass. I have had to get my license renewed once so far and if I recall it right it cost something like $25.00
1 person likes this
@whl528 (2)
• China
8 Dec 09
I got my permit! I evry much appreciate you thinking and you life a man tao be hanppy is my goat has always been free to support
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
I am sorry I am not quite sure what you mean, but I appreciate the response and if your still here on mylot, welcome.
@Yaminz (32)
• Malaysia
8 Dec 09
I got my driving license at this year... Need to attend training school, and have to pass two exam before qualified to drive a car...
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
20 Dec 09
Congratulations to you as well, and I hope your still on mylot as the little earnings you make here could go for a car for you. Here a learner's permit is what we get first, so while we can drive on it, it's more of a "learning" experience thus the name.