I finally got my license!

So I lost my wallet in February.
So after replacing all of my credit cards, mourning the loss of my Cold Stone Creamery gift card, and memorizing my library card number, I found I had only one last card to replace...
My drivers license

Unfortunately, I had never gotten a Washington driver's license, so when I went in to get one, they informed me that I would need to take my drivers test again...along with the rest of the 16 year olds.

There was both a written test and a practical driving test. To take the written test, I had to brush up on the Washington driver's guide. My favorite part of the 116 page guide was the section that talks about special situations to watch out for. Here it is verbatim:

"There are certain drivers and other road users that you should give extra room. Some are listed here...
people who may be confused-- People who are confused may cause an unsafe situation. These people may include: tourists or others who do not seem to know where they are going; drivers slowing for what seems like no reason; drivers looking for street signs or house numbers."

I don't know if it was the night, but I laughed for a long time after I read that one.

The other interesting thing about Washington law is the Implied Consent Law, which literally states:

"when you operate a motor vehicle, you have agreed to take a breath or blood
test to determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood.
If a police or traffic officer asks you to take a BAC test, you
must do so. You will lose your driver license for at least
one year if you refuse to take a BAC test."

Now, it doesn't take a first year law student to recognize that IF this indeed represents current Washington state law, that it violates basic fourth amendment rights to privacy. A police officer must have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation (more than a hunch and be supported by evidence) in order to require a search of your person or property, otherwise, you have the right to refuse such a search. And that right to deny consent to a search is constitutionally protected.

So, just interesting!

I didn't practice for the practical portion of my test. I figured that driving every day for the past 14 years of my life was practice enough. Until I showed up and my instructor started quizzing me on hand signals...
luckily, I guessed and got 2 out of the 3 correct! (apparently just waving around your hands does not mean "slow down or stop")
I also got to show off my parallel parking skills (I rocked that one) and backing out of a driveway skills (I actually panicked for a minute because I couldn't remember how I normally back up and if it is the "correct" method for backing up).

But, I passed with an 86.

So now I am officially legal. the photo didn't come out so well, but...whos looking.