Students, especially in the sophomore year, can take their driving driver’s test at 16 years old. Sophomores at the age of 15 ½ can take their permit test. To do so, students are required to take a classroom course to get a certification in classroom driving education.

Between when a student gets their permit to 6 months later, when they can take the test, sophomores are required to take at least 6 hours of driving lessons with an instructor. Students should also practice with a licensed driver who is 25 or older.

“It’s fun when you can just go around,” said Jenna Reynolds, an NDB sophomore, in response to how she feels about driving. “I live on the coast side so there are a lot of open roads and big bends, wide turns, so that you don’t have to go really slow when there’s like a ton of traffic.”

First time driving can cause some fears with new experiences, such as driving.

“I absolutely love driving.,” said NDB sophomore, Mabelle Jouhdieh. “It’s my favorite thing in the whole wide world. It’s so fun because you have to be aware of everything, but once you get the hang of it and once you get comfortable behind the wheel, but, I don’t like the freeway that much because it’s not difficult, but merging lanes, very much makes me nervous on the freeway. I don’t care if it’s on a regular road, but the freeway scares me because people are going so fast so I have to get used to that one.”

The ability to drive by yourself is a lot of responsibility, but also comes with a lot of freedom.

“I think driving is super fun,” said NDB sophomore, Caitlynn Reynolds. “I personally really like to drive. I was nervous about driving when I first started, but I got into it and I really enjoy it. I just didn’t really know where to start because I was kind of worried about when I got my permit. “I’m excited to have freedom and stuff and just be able to go wherever I want. And also I’m really excited to be able to drive with my friends to places like without having my parents having to take me or at least drive with me.”

Driving comes along with some fears, but mutual feelings are shared with being able to drive with friends and the freedom that it comes with.