A Driving Force

My Dad gave Carter a car for Christmas even though she had just gotten her learners permit. It is the standard affliction he has about kids he is related to and cars. Basically any excuse to buy another car is a good excuse. Along with the car he also gave her a Teen Defensive Driving Class at Virginia International Raceway. Before he registered her for the class he doubled and triple checked the dates with me to ensure she was free.

This is said weekend for teen driving so we drove up last night to spend the night at the farm so we were closer to VIR since Carter’s start time was 7:30 in the morning. I’m not sure who plans a teen driving experience to start at 7:30 in the morning, perhaps they want to get kids at their absolute worst to really see what their driving is like.

Russ and I had planned a free weekend of farm life walking with Shay Shay, Russ catching up on work and basketball watching with my Mom. My Dad lent us one of the cars from his fleet so we could drive back from the drop off of Carter and her car at the driving school.

We knew we had found the right place when we came upon the parking lot full of retired police Crown Vics. Carter and I went into the registration desk where there was a table of bright yellow name tags laid out. I introduced Carter and they gave her a lanyard and id and then preceded to hand me my nametag. “Wait,” I said. “I’m not signed up to take this course.”

“Oh yes you are, this is a class for teens and their parents.” News to me, apparently news to my Dad who paid and definitely news to Russ who was literally along for the ride. Russ and I met the head guy who I had a major e-mail relationship with and told him about our lack of understanding. He did a hard press that it was important to train parents about how to ride in the passenger seat while our teen was learning. Oh God, bad parent guilt. Russ caved and said he would stay today and I asked if we could split the days, the head guy agreed.

Off I drove alone, taking Russ’ computer, leaving him for the day of physiological lectures and Myers Briggs like testing to understand your teen. If I had to spend the day sitting in a classroom and taking these tests I’m sure I would have gotten kicked out of school. I got to come back to the farm and walk my nine miles, which by the way almost did Shay Shay in and now she is limping.

Three quarters through the day Russ texted me that this was the less driving day and he was willing to come back and do the Sunday session so he got to do the more fun, more driving day. Now I owe Russ double since he volunteered to do everything.

Russ and Carter arrived back at the farm after nine hours of class and announced it actually was good and are looking forward to going back. Thank goodness. I know that I would never hear the end from either of them if this thing had been a huge bust.

Carter turned out to be a fairly good driver coming in the top 25% in comparison to other teens in her class who were all older and more experienced, so far so good. But the thing I was most happy is about is that she was the only kid in her group who could lift a spare tire while learning how to change it out. If I ever need help with a flat I am going to remind her of this training.