I’m really angry right now

And I want to write this before I have a chance to calm down.

My daughter will be 18 years old in 36 days

She is supposed to leave for South Texas around her birthday

Then after that she will drive to Michigan and then back to Arkansas

The problem is that Arkansas has some screwed up laws

Today she took her driver’s test

She passed it and she was excited

We went in to get her driver’s license

And when she got it

The back of the license said that she isn’t allowed to drive

Without a licensed adult

What the hell is the difference between that and a permit

In Arkansas we have 14 year olds driving on what is called a hardship license

They get it when they have to drive for their family

For some reason or another

I looked at the paper work

And it says that she can’t drive by herself until September

Now that may change when she turns 18

We will have to see about that

The problem is that because of Arkansas laws

She will be basically thrown to the wolves when she goes on her trip

I had planned on providing gas money

So she could drive 50 to 60 miles a night

On our country roads

So she could get a lot of practice before she had to drive on the freeways

She goes to school days

And I work nights

So the only practice she gets is to school and back

And the occasional family trip to Wall-Mart

I was going to have her drive me to work

And then drive around for 2 or 3 hours before bed

By my estimates that would have given her approximately

1800 to 2100 miles of experience on safe roads

before she had to tackle the freeways

Now because of this stupid rule she will be lucky to get 400 miles of experience

before she hits the big roads

there are many kids that she goes to school with

that drive by themselves every day.

My daughter is a good driver and a responsible young lady

And there are kids that she goes to school with that have totaled their cars

And they can drive without an adult

I just don’t get it

Because of silly bureaucratic rules

My daughter will be getting the majority of her initial driving experience

on 4 and 6 lane highways

Instead of the small country back roads

where an accident would most likely be just a fender bender.

I’m pissed at the system

Now my daughter basically has a plastic permit with her picture on it

Instead of the paper one she started out with

It’s the same damn thing

They built her up saying she could get a license just like everyone else

Then they pulled this shit

The look on her face almost broke my heart

The lady handed her the license after telling her that she had to drive with an adult

Amber didn’t even pick up the little plastic lie

She just let it lye on the counter

She looked like she wanted to cry

And I don’t blame her

I wanted to cry for her

Here’s an idea

Don’t lie and tell a young person

That they are getting a license

If you’re only going to give then a plastic permit

Don’t build them up to tear them down

Be honest with them up front

Earn their trust

And follow through with what you promise them

I can’t believe it

I’m so pissed right now I could break something