Most teenagers get their license when they turn 16. Shortly after, many are awarded with the freedom of a car.

However, that was not the case with me. I did not begin driving on my own until about six weeks ago – a year and a half after I turned 16.

Before I got my license, my family and I began the fretful search for a vehicle of my own. I never imagined that there would be so many options, and yet so few. At first, all I wanted in a car was four tires that rolled. As the search unfolded, I realized exactly how much more thought goes into the process. Dizzying factors such as reliability, safety, fuel economy, mileage and, most importantly, purchase price began to fill the picture. Every time I thought I had found the perfect car, something would be wrong. It would have terrible safety ratings or have some sort of undiagnosed mechanical malady or be virtually uninsurable. I began to think we would never find a car.

Eventually, after going to see several cars and making an untold number of unplanned u-turns to see roadside advertised cars, we saw light at the end of the long tunnel. My mom saw a car advertised in the Tyler paper. We went to look at it, and I was blown away. It was pretty, fairly new, well maintained and had a great price to boot. Once my dad test drove it and saw it was free of mystery mechanical issues, I was guardedly optimistic. We took it to our friends at Engines Express so experts could give us their unbiased opinion before the final decision. I was afraid that would be it. I just knew they would find something awful. But they didn’t!

Finally, after all the papers had been signed and the car sat in our driveway, my heart filled with joy and appreciation. Even though there might not be such a thing as “the perfect car,” I’m pretty sure we found the best car for me within my budget.

Once I had my license in hand, I was ready to tackle the unknown, go anywhere, do anything, and make my own decisions. Right?

Wrong. Having my own car wasn’t an amazing freedom like everyone describes it. Rather, it was a terrifying responsibility! I was always worried about scraping the bottom on a speed bump, parking in a spot where some other teenager would ding it or even washing it with the wrong soap.

Driving itself was another responsibility that I still take very seriously. The first time I drove to school on my own, my heart was beating so hard when I arrived that I was afraid to stand up for fear of fainting. Of course, I’ve gotten much more comfortable behind the wheel, but I’m still cautious. If you’re ever behind a silver car going much too slow, chances are, it’s me. If you wish, please pass me. I won’t be offended. After all things are considered, even the worries, it’s truly a wonderful experience to have my first car. In the words of Ferris Bueller, “It is so choice…I highly recommend picking one up.”