By Cecilia Schutt
Photo by Cecilia Schutt
My driving journey, similar to that of many others, began in the parking lot. There, I learned the basics of turning on the car, which pedals did what, and how to change gears on a stick shift. (Yes, I learned on a stick shift.) Navigating what to do to get on the roads and out of the parking lot can be confusing, so knowing what steps you need to take can make the process go more smoothly.
The very first step towards driving legally on your own is getting your TIP card. You are required to have your TIP card in order to take a driver’s ed class and drive with a driving instructor. I got mine at the OMV, although it is possible to get it at ABC Title or similar enterprise. Wait time can depend on location or time you arrive, so be sure to make an online appointment. It will cut down on your wait time significantly.
After you get your TIP card, you can start taking driver’s ed classes. I went to Lingle Driving Academy, but some other driving schools in the New Orleans area include Victor Manning Driving School, NOLA Driving Institute, and Crescent City Driving School.
I spent four days of my Thanksgiving break in 2023 taking a driver’s ed class. An average day of driver’s ed consisted of being in the classroom from 9 a.m. to around 2 p.m. These classes teach you about traffic laws. Once I’d passed the written test, it was time for actual driving.
It took a few months to get things set up with the driving instructor, so even though I took the class in November, I didn’t get to drive with an instructor until after Mardi Gras. If you’re in a great hurry to get your actual license, be sure to budget this time in.
Driving on busy roads for the first time felt weird, but I got comfortable pretty quickly. The instructor I drove with was friendly and laid back, which helped ease some stress. We started out driving on avenues and side streets, then moved on to the harder things, like the interstate. Once you complete eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, you’re able to get your driver’s permit.
As with any new skill, practice makes perfect. At first, driving was actually pretty stressful for me, and I tried my best to avoid doing it. I didn’t completely relate to my friends when they talked about how fun driving was. Driving made me break into a cold sweat. But over time, as I got more and more experience driving, I became more relaxed.
When I turned 16, I became eligible to get my driver’s license. I was a little apprehensive about the road test that is required to get a license, but it turned out to be simple, at least for me. If you’re used to taking Willow tests and you’ve reviewed the material, you should do fine.
Walking out of the OMV with that small plastic card with my name and photo on it was truly a freeing feeling. Now that I can drive alone, even though I don’t have a car of my own, things are more accessible.
While the road to getting your license can be a little long, it is definitely worth it in the end. And as Willow junior Hannah Bui put it, “Once you learn to drive here, you could drive anywhere.”
I guess all those potholes and one-way streets that turn tourists around are good for something after all–preparing you to take on the roads almost anywhere you choose to drive with ease.
Here is a link to a resource that has official information you might want to know regarding age requirements and what documents to bring to your appointments, among other things: https://expresslane.dps.louisiana.gov/CDLForms/CLASS%20E%20Learner%27s%20Permit%20requirements.pdf
