As a car obsessed person, the first priority on your mind in Sri Lanka when you turn 18 has to be Getting Your Driver’s License. It’s a rule that MUST NOT be disobeyed. But take it from me, for the love of all that is holy, get your license through a learners. They make the process so much easier. I didn’t for some stupid and I had to go through hell. Let me walk you through the process :). In July of 2020, I did the written test which gives me my Learner’s Permit. Meaning I can drive legally, provided that I have a licensed driver with me in the car. So you can imagine my excitement leading up to my 18th birthday, anticipating the day I can steal the car keys and just drive. I went sometime in early March to secure a date to do my trials and I got March 22nd. The day after I turn 18.
So I went to the RMV at 12:30 PM to do my test. I had taken my own car to do the test. I stood in line for about an hour and a half, only to come to the counter that would send me to my instructor telling me that I didn’t have the proper insurance details for my car. I was devastated and was told I might not be able to do the test today. But mama didn’t raise a quitter. Me and my driver drove to an insurance branch 5 minutes down the road (Just by chance was the insurance that I use) and I got the papers. Only to come back to the RMV to be told off by the instructor that it was the wrong kind. Knowing that I had dug too far to turn back, I went back to my insurance where they told me “Yes this is the right kind of paperwork, only your instructor didn’t look properly.” By this time it was almost 4 PM (the time which the RMV closes) and I thought I wasn’t going to get my license. But again, mama didn’t raise a quitter so I raced back to the RMV and asked around where my instructor was. They said he had gone out on a test but would be back soon. So I sat in the parking lot just waiting. I took the time to reflect on my experience that day and realized that the RMV is a terrible place and that I never want to come there ever again. I was waiting for around 45 minutes and I was slowly starting to lose hope. But right when I as about to throw in the towel, my instructor appeared and I showed him the paper work. He approved and thankfully, agreed to do the test despite being super late. I had never concentrated so hard in my life. At the beginning of the test, I had to park in a narrow space. Seems easy enough right? Not when you’re in a big truck. Thankfully I successfully parked (just) and we went on the final road test. He complimented my driving multiple times, saying “Very good driving” and when we got back, I had the best news I had ever gotten this year. He handed me back my learner’s permit and said “Congratulations you passed. Very good driving. Your license will be mailed to you in a month.” and I literally jumped in excitement. I drove home and on the way, called one of my best friends who is basically my big brother and invited me out to celebrate. Later that night I drove to dinner on my own for the very first time while blasting the song “Driver’s License” By Olivia Rodrigo and I realized how much louder I sing when I’m alone.
Getting my driver’s license has taught me some new things. 1 being how to handle police. I got stopped once while driving to pickup my parents late at night and they said they could smell alcohol from me. I had the windows down and sunroof open so they were clearly lying but I stood my ground and said “Go on then, breathalyze me. Do it” and then they said “No it’s ok you can go.” Driving alone is weird. Normally i’d have someone to talk to but now I have more time to myself and more time to think about things I need to prioritize like what school assignments I have and so on.
