It’s a common theme at Pahrump Valley High School this year; many of the sophomore class are taking their driver’s test, regardless of the outcome. Each student has had a different experience with the test and its preparations. Although most are still in the preparation stage, they are approaching the end of this phase, where they will eventually take the test.
Many students have either their permit or license, and if you don’t have one, you might know someone who does. There are a few students in particular who stand out within this topic, one being Emerlynn Roscoe.
Roscoe just recently passed her driver’s test. She said, “The most challenging part was getting over my nerves. I overcame it by breathing slowly and not overthinking it.” This indicates that even though she was really nervous to take the test, she focused on the immediate task rather than worrying.
Roscoe practiced for about six months driving with her mother. In Nevada, there is a six month rule; the rule is intended for supervised driving, with 50+ hours. Roscoe immediately took the test six months after she received her learner’s permit. Now that she is licensed, she said, “I feel more confident, and I think it’s more relaxing and easier driving by myself.” The moment she passed her test, she felt so relieved and excited but yet, she was still quite nervous.
There is another student in particular, Emily Zaragoza. Although she doesn’t have her license yet, she will be taking the test within the next month. Zaragoza loves driving, but there were some challenges she faced in the beginning of her driving journey, which was learning to be extra cautious, especially of her surroundings. She says, “Busy roads make me nervous because you never know what might happen, but it’s something I’ve come to terms with now.”
Zaragoza has had her permit for six months. She plans to take the test one week after her 16th birthday in April. She feels very confident in her driving abilities. She said, “When I hit the 30-hour mark, I became confident and felt that was because I was driving on freeways and busy roads in Vegas.” For Zaragoza, the only way for her to progress in driving was to adapt to higher speed and more complex traffic.
Overall, Zaragoza was thrilled to receive her learner’s permit; she feels one step closer to her license, and this excites her because she can’t wait to drive alone.
To these two students at PVHS, a license isn’t just a piece of plastic; it’s one step closer to adulthood. The driver’s test isn’t just any test it’s a test that will allow you to gain independence. For both, their experiences involved anxiety or difficult challenges, but they realized they were now responsible for their own path, especially on the road. So, if you’re scared to take the driver’s test, don’t be because feeling nervous is completely normal, and those nerves usually fade away once you start driving, and if they don’t, focus on breathing.
