Mr. Austin's Wild Ride

When Austin turned 15 he had absolutely no desire to get his driving permit. When Austin turned 16 he had absolutely no desire to get his driving permit, let alone his driver’s license. He heard about too many of his friends getting into accidents and the thought of it made him really nervous.

Then Kyle turned 15. His birthday was on a Saturday and on Monday we were at the DMV taking the test. On the first try he got 76%; 80% is passing. He passed it the second time (in Utah you can take it up to three times before you have to pay the fee again). He wanted to drive home from the DMV, which I emphatically denied. I had let him drive home from church a time or two, about a block and a half, and I wasn’t about to let him loose on the freeway! He has been driving around a while and he’s much better. At least I don’t feel like my life is in immediate danger. I am sure we will be at the DMV again the day after his 16^th birthday (he has already informed us that his birthday falls on a Sunday this year).

That put a little fire under Austin. That and the fact that I made him take Driver’s Ed this term and he needs a copy of his permit for the class. He has spent hours reading over the manual. For him, and his learning difficulties, it isn’t an easy task. He studied his little heart out and when he thought he was ready we went to the DMV. His first try he got 72%. His second and third try were also not passing. I felt really bad for him. We came home and he studied for another week or so and we went back. In the meantime, I heard from a friend that He might be able to have the test read to him. We asked when we got there and they gave us a head set so he could listen to the test. Still no luck! The worker was feeling really bad for him. She told us that if he took it again and got 76% or better, she would read him a couple of questions. If he got those questions right she would pass him. On his last try he got 74%. She decided to ask him three questions anyway and he got them! I was so happy for him. He was feeling so bad. He smiled pretty big for quite a few hours.

So now we have two practicing drivers in our house. I took Austin out for his first time behind the wheel yesterday. We went to the church parking lot. He has a ways to go! But he is persistent and he will get it sooner or later. Jim is out with him right now. Austin’s goal is to have his license before he goes to Nauvoo with his Grandparents this July. Wish us luck! (But mostly wish us patience!!!)