A Trip to Court

All states are different. Of course. It would be too easy to have every state follow the same steps.

In Virginia, you can get your learner's permit when you are 15 years, 6 months. You go to the DMV and take a written test and then you have a plastic permit. Then you are required to take driving lessons - when I learned to drive, my dad taught me and I had to take a test at the DMV - but now everyone goes to behind the wheel classes. When your instructor passes you, but not before 16 years, 3 months - you are given a blue slip of paper to carry with your plastic permit and bam! You are an official driver. It's valid for 90 days.

Kinda anti-climactic, but there you go.

You are summoned to court before those 90 days to receive your permament license. You have to go on the day you are assigned, bring the permit and the blue paper and bring a parent. The postcard is full of details - don't wear cutoffs/tank tops/spaghetti straps/flip flops and no bare midriffs. You must be on time. You will not be allowed in if you are tardy. Do not bring your cell phone in. No electronics of any type whatsoever.

Wednesday was Allegra's day.

We had a court time of 4 p.m. In my opinion, this was the WORST possible time for us. My other kids got out of school at 3, we got home shortly thereafter, and I had to get homework done and dinner prepared and get down the road to the court. Of course this was the day that my daughter decided to stop at Chik-Fil-A with friends after school, and although I was ready to depart at 3:30 - she wasn't even home.

3:57 found us flying up to the correct court building. We'd battled traffic, sat in construction and I'd done an awful lot of praying to get us there. We talked about the things that would happen - the lecture from the judge, the movie on drunk driving, the fact that the license goes to the parents instead of the kid to show that the parent can take the license at any time - and we both made sure to leave our phones in the car.

We speed-walked as fast as possible to get up the flight of stairs. We were stopped at the x-ray machine and my purse was taken from me. Ma'am, do you have a cell phone, video camera, digital camera, gaming system or iPod in your bag?

I knew I had none of that. I never have that stuff in my purse unless I specifically place it there, and I knew good and well I didn't do that.

Nope, I said confidently as I strode through the body scanner. Which beeped, but I was motioned through anyway, but my handbag was detained. Ma'am, we specifically asked if you had any electronics in your bag. You clearly have something in your bag.

I had no idea what it could be. I only use my phone to take pictures/videos/listen to music, and that was in the car, so I had confidence that I was in the right. I looked at the clock above my head - 3:58. A gloved hand reached into my humungous pink purse, and came out -

with an iPod shuffle that no one in my family uses. Riley plays with it occasionally, but I don't think I've seen her use it in at least a week. I'm pretty sure Riley must have shoved it into my bag at some point this past week - but I had no idea when, and no clue it was there. I looked up in a panic - and went to grab it. The clerk held it above me and gave me a look I can only describe as liar, liar, pants on fire. "Allegra, quick - run this out to the car!" The clerk shook her head.

Ma'am, you won't have time. It's almost time to lock the courtroom. There's lockers over there, just put it in a locker. 50 cents.

I looked up at her, bewildered. I didn't HAVE 50 cents. I looked at Allegra, who looked as puzzled as I did, but shook her head and reminded me that she didn't have her purse and so she had no money. The male guard with her shook his head at me, clearly annoyed with how idiotic and unprepared I clearly was. Who brings in an iPod, when all of the signs clearly say NO ELECTRONICS OF ANY TYPE WHATSOEVER, and who doesn't have 2 quarters? He reached into his pocket, handed over 50 cents, sent Allegra to the locker and instructed me to RUN to the courtroom. She caught up to me right outside the courtroom, handed over her permit and blue paper, and we walked in the door.

Which was closed and locked right behind us. At 4:00.

And we were instructed to walk in front of every person in the courtroom, and sit all the way in the front - at the defendant table. In the attorney chairs.

Everything was anticlimactic from that moment on.

 _______

Addendum: I think it's a great procedure, the way that things are done here. It pretty much scares the kids - for a while, anyway.The seatbelt movie and the drunk driving movie are intense. I also love that the judge gives the license to the PARENT - and tells the parent not to be afraid, they can take it away at any time for misbehavior - including not keeping a room clean. SCORE.

Comments

[amie]

That is the strangest procedure I have ever heard. In MD the whole process is completed at the DMV.I have lived in other states, but was not a new driver there but never heard of this before. Interesting.

[Sharilyn]

Okay, so the whole thing sounds crazy insane, but I have to say I am impressed with the kindness of the guard. He SO didn't have to do that.

[LizP]

Wow, that is a lot of work! In CA and OR you just take tests at the DMV.

[Headless Mom]

That's crazy. Do they have the same rules for 17 or 18 year olds? I'd totally wait until then. There are driving rules for kids under 17 but nothing nearly like those hoops.

[Katherine]

HMmmm...we are at this stage. They HAVE to have a behind the wheel class?

[Elizabeth]

Lot less complicated down here. It's been awhile but TX does require a class which includes behind the wheel and classroom instruction. It used to be available in public schools but that stopped back when I was getting my license. You can take the driving test at the DMV when you are 16 and then you get your license in the mail. TX does have a special driver's license for 21 and under though. It looks different from the adult licenses.

[addy]

GAHHHHH - What a mess!! Kind thoughts to the guard for the .50 and nasty thoughts to the guard for the reprimand. Obviously he does not have children in his house. Congrats Allegra!

[KG]

Ohhhh my goodness that was hilarious! Not for you at the time but made for a great story...
I'm just so glad you MADE it in, in the nick of time- even if you had to sit front & center!
Too funny...and typical of the luck we have!
Congrats to Allegra :)

[Crystal]

I was a 16 year old in VA (over 15 years ago) and I went through this same procedure (ok, not the late part and we didn't have ipods back then) but I honestly think it's a good thing for kids. I got the lecture about how driving was a privilege and not a right. We lived in a small town and the same judge who presided over this also was the traffic judge and we were warned about the consequences if we had to stand before her again. Oh, and for the record - i still have a blemish free driving record. And for the question about 17 and 18 year olds -- My brother got his at 18 (and probably still doesn't need it) and no he did not have this same procedure.

[Brandy]

That's an odd procedure to go through, but it sounds kind of like a good idea at the same time. Here the kids are able to test at the DMV for their Learner's Permit.

[Char]

I'm glad I got my license in VA back in the old days before this procedure, but also glad my 3 kids will have to go through it in the next few years to get theirs. How's that for a double standard from Mom.

Anyhow, thanks for filling me in... my son will be 15 in 6 weeks. Oh the fun we will have in the next 2 years.

[Heather]

In 1986 it was so much simpler! I went to the DMV next to Military Circle, took the written test, took drs ed in summer school and then took the official test. 4 right turns and maybe a left if I am remembering correctly. No parallel parking either. Times have changed.

[Mary]

Wow, that's complicated. In WA, they have to take a six week class, including six hours behind the wheel. The parents have to certify that they have at least 40 hours of practice time, ten at night. Then they go to DMV, take the written test, make an appointment for the driving test, and get their picture taken. The license arrives in the mail.

Under 18 does have special rules, though -- for the first six months, no non-family members in the car, and no driving in the middle of the night. Second six months, only three people in the car, and still no driving in the middle of the night. A ticket resets the clock. I think that is a most excellent law, and we have enforced it, though I think we're in the minority.

[Chris Carter]

Nice, gotta love those " Catch-22" type situations.

[Brenda]

The last time I made that lovely trip with a newly-licensed driver, I forgot that I had my nail scissors.

The judge never showed up, so we never got The Talk. They just let everyone go.

[Laura H]

Here in Az, I didn't even have to take a driving class to get my license (my school didn't offer a driving class cause, ya know, REALLY small). I took a written test for my paper permit at 15 and 7 mos., then at 16 took a driving test and got my license. All done at DMV. Didn't realize how easy I had it! LOL Of course, in my mind, I would DIE if I didn't pass and get my license.

[Amy]

Now that is some ritual. Up here at 15 1/2 kids can begin driving with a parent no permit, no training, no written test, no nuthin. At 16 they can take drivers ed. If they don't take drivers ed that can't test until they are 18. Once the complete drivers ed and have 40 hours of driving time logged they can test away......
My newest 15 1/2 year old has yet to get behind a wheel. Having just taught her 17 yo sister who's had 3 accidents and 1 speeding ticket I don't have it in me. Plus she unemployed and can't pay for her own insurance so in my head she can't drive until she can pay for her insurance. So win win for me albeit temporary

[kyooty]

It's really too bad they can't give you a list of times that you can jot in 123 in order of preference and fill in the time slots that way? I'd never be able ot get there at 4pm.
Happy Driving Allergra.

here it's still write test after 16yrsold, get lessons or drive, learn, get a licence but with limitations. In the end you hve to be 18 to get a FULL drive by yourself licence.

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

Wow, talk about a nice guard! I think a guardian angel must have been involved there.

[Jennifer]

They must do things different now, my hubby took Brandon for his and the judge just talked for an hour, Brandon got his license on the way in and that was it. I wonder if its the same judge each time.. his was at 4 as well.