Rites of Passage

A long path to feel free

         One of the most important rites of passage of my life happened when I took my drive’s license. I think it’s important because before that I saw myself too dependent on someone who would drive to take me wherever I wanted. Sometimes I needed my parent’s time availability or their good mood to ask them to take me to my friends’ houses, or to the shopping mall and even to a doctor. My parents always had time to take me to school or any educational course (such as, English course, swimming course, private classes etc). Other times it was necessary to ask for some friends to give a ride to go to a party, a concert – but I never liked to ask for a ride, so if my friends didn’t offer it and my parents couldn’t take me, I missed my appointment.

         To not depend too much on a ride I used to take bus or subway, and sometimes I took a taxi to go or leave some places. And for me, this was terrible because the buses are not so good and delay so much. The subway, as buses, are crowded, not comfortable and you spend much time when you use these kinds of transportation – you need to leave your house very early to take a bus to arrive on time in your destination, for instance.   

         I started to be browned off with this situation when I was about 18 years old because I had some friends that were already driving and I saw them as independent people. I felt the urge to start driving; however, my parents didn’t let me try to get my drive’s license since I had to study to pass Vestibular. At that time I was a teenager and I felt down in the dumps with it. Besides, I was very angry with my parents. No sooner I passed Vestibular than I went searching for my drive’s license. At that moment I thought it would be easy to take it, but it was a long way until I started to drive.

         Six months after I started my classes at College, I signed up for a drivers course where I learnt about car mechanic, traffic signs, first help and defensive car conduction. Then I made a test and passed this test, so I received a certificate of this course. Afterwards, I did a test at the Traffic Department of São Paulo and I passed too. So I could start my practical driving classes and it brought a smile to my face. I was very anxious to drive a car even as a learner.

         I did many driving classes and my mother agreed to take me to the driving school. Nowadays, I realize that she was very dedicated and patient with me. After many classes I did the practical driving test and I was very nervous and just a little self-confident but I got my approval – this fact made my day and I got psyched!

         However, my happiness lasted just a few. I was informed that I mustn’t have any kind of penalty with my new drive's license during one year; otherwise, I would lose it and have to go through process to get it again. After this notice, my parents and I decided to wait one year, so I don’t drive during this period. I confess that I felt sorry for myself and a little sad at the first moment, but I knew that it was not the end of the world.

         The time went fast and one year later – when I was almost 21 years old – I got my definitive drive's license. Once more, I signed up for driving classes to get practice on drive – it lasted almost three months. I gave up these classes when I felt self-confident in front of a steering wheel and among lots of cars. Then I gained a car from my parents and felt like a bird – I was free to go wherever I wanted – it was downright wonderful!

         Nowadays, the roles are inverted because I give and offer a ride. And now my parents ask me if I have available time to take them where they want to go, and I always have time for them.