Tell us about your FIRST license.

[Ivas]

My birthday is coming in three weeks; my driver's license is to be renewed. It dawned upon me that I got my first license forty-one years ago... Man, that made me feel the weight of the ages. The original license, here in California, was a flimsy affair with a black & white photograph; those younger than the age of majority, then it was 21, before passage of the 26th Amendment, were pictured in profile.

When did you get your first license, and what was it like?

[todrules]

Originally Posted by Ivas

My birthday is coming in three weeks;

Have a happy birthday.

My first license I got in GA back in the mid-80s. It was laminated. So, me being the stupid teenager that I was decided to try and change around the birthday so I could buy beer. Of course, I got caught and got into a lot of trouble.

[1BADLS3]

I got my license in 1998. I remember having to make an appointment for the test, and waiting a few weeks to get a date. Finally, the day came, a rainy Saturday. My mom and dad went down to the DMV with me, and we waited, and waited. Finally it was my turn. I completed the test in a 1990 Chevy Lumina Euro..I was SO excited, because getting my license meant the car was essentially MINE.

I honestly can't remember if I got a paper copy or a laminated card. Somewhere right around that time, WA state went to the digital printed card license that gets sent in the mail. Either way, I was certified to drive. I remember driving myself home (parents brought the extra car) and then going on a drive later that day, enjoying the car (and road) to myself.

I'm 28 and driving is still exciting

At one point I had a "vertical" license (the card is rotated 90*) to signify that I was under 21. It expired when I was 22, so I had a full year of bouncers having to carefully read my license at bars to make sure I was 21...

[pennor]

I got my first license in Oregon when I was 16. Let's see, that would have been in 1964! Ours were a simple piece of paper with our age, height, weight, type of license and a number. I still have the same number by the way. We didn't have pictures on them back then at all. They were not considered valid ID for alcohol purposes either. Probably because there was no picture. You needed what we called an OLCC card if you were under 26 to by alcohol. That is if anyone bother to check which they seldom did.

[mikeSS]

i got my license back in early 2007. when i was 16. i was the FRIST person in my grade in high school with there license and first person in my grade i with their own car. it was really special to me.

[Smart Line]

80'S and well i keept it a short while....lol. 176 in a 65 OH that one hurt......

why you bring back memories like that.lol

P.S. happy B day YOUNG MAN!

[razorduck]

I got my permit in 1978. Took the written exam and passed then the 30 day wait for the driving part. I never had to have the driving exam with the State Trooper riding shotgun. My Dad had a State Trooper friend that validated my permit without having to drive.

[98_Camaro]

Man, you guys make me feel so young...
I got my license this year back in February on my first go at the DMV. I was pretty proud of that one since a lot of people I know failed the first time (they're just not as careful as me, I suppose... ). Took the test in my faithful Camaro.
Having said that, I definitely don't take my license or my car for granted. My parents made it explicitly clear: if I get so much as a ticket, I'm walking until I can buy another car. So yeah, I'm a REALLY CAUTIOUS driver.

[paulsandhu]

Happy Birthday!

I got mine in 2001. It was only a Learners (class 7L) but here in BC with the Graduated Licence Program even those licenses have a picture. Had rules too, zero alcohol, can't drive between midnight and 5 am had to have a supervisor in the car with you (they had to be over the age of 25 and have a valid class 5) and a limit of one extra passenger. Also you have to put a big red L magnet on the back of your car.

After the obligatory 6 months Learners period (its a year now) we get a Novice license (class 7). Same rules apply except no need for a supervisor and you can drive between midnight and 5 am. Plus you upgrade to a green N magnet! Back then it was only a 1.5 year period, its two years now and you are only allowed 1 non-relative of your own age in the car. Family members are not excempt regardless of age. Its a messed up system I know.

After the 1.5 years I finally got to take the class 5 road test and since 2003 have been magnet and restriction free! lol

System sounds annoying and such, but its designed to save lives and it has helped.

[CatiaJockey]

1975, I drove to the DMV alone with my permit and was promptly issued a ticket and had to wait another 30 days to get my license.

[mickss]

I also tried to alter my drivers license and it was pretty amateurish job of altering, so I went to a local store to buy beer with my new "legal" license.

Clerk. Do you have proof?
Me. yes sir. (I hand him my license)
Clerk. Hmm, I can`t sell you any beer.
Me. Why not?
Clerk. If I do sell you beer the owner will lose his liquor license and I`ll lose my badge.
Me. Oh Ooo!
He was a cop working a second job and gave me a break, he kept the license and told me to go back to the DMV and to tell them I had lost the original and to apply for a replacement.

This was quite a few years back, it`s funny to me now but back then I was crapping my pants.

[R6P]

I went down to the DMV to apply for my learners permit, 2-3 weeks later without taking the road test I recieved a license in the mail. My first thought was "Cool, I don't have to worry about passing the road test"
Only problem was... it was someone else's picture.
Took some time to clear that mess up, but eventually I took, and passed the test.

[Rock-It Man]

A couple of weeks after I got my license, I got caught in an ice storm. Going down a narrow street, I slowed down to let a cop squeeze by, and my car slid sideways because of the crown in the road, and hit the cop at maybe 1 mph.

An accident should have been an automatic loss of license during the first six months, but the cop let it go due to the insane ice.

BTW, the car was a 1970 Cutlass Supreme with a four speed. I swear the weight distribution on that thing was about 70% front 30% rear. A nightmare in the snow!

[lawrence011]

I got my license on my birthday and I was 16, I had to wait in the DPS line for 4 hours, but it was worth it because after the DPS i got a camaro v6 2011.