Ahhh, 17. The age of freedom. When you become a dancing queen. When you get your legal driving license. The whole world is open to you! Alright, maybe just your city/state and you probably still have a 10pm curfew.

But that’s alright! Because if you’re one of the lucky ones to have gotten a car (new, hand me down or shared – it’s all good), then you can either relate with the following or you’re about to experience the following.

1. Every drive’s an adventure!

The sky’s the limit? Limits suck! But hey, no problem – the open road is wide and wonderful and waiting for you. The only limit you’ll find is the speed limit *badum tsss* But really, whether it’s just a trip to the 7/11 in your area because your fam needs bread or finally being able to offer to take the wheel when your parents are tired of driving during that balik kampung time, you’ll find every drive new and exciting, an adventure in the making.

2. Speaking of road trips…

Now you can! Port Dickson for a quick vitamin sea fix, Melaka for chicken rice balls! Or Penang for both the ocean and the food – ahhhh, all within reach! It’s every kid’s dream and now with your license, it’s totally doable. Okay, now to get the friends and the parents on board (that curfew needs to be lifted!), and… Finding cash for petrol…

3. Now it’s all about the moneh moneh moneh.

Gas money is everything. With it, you’ve got freedom and stories and pictures and songs and the wind in your hair! Without it, you’ll have yourself some wheels. Some parked wheels. And that’s about it. So you take on this new responsibility with great care. You save up your allowance or get a part time job, you plan it out, you do the math and you don’t put the pedal to the metal unnecessarily. And that ladies and gentleman, is how one gets to adulting. Now without even wanting to, you’ve become an adult *sheds a tear*. And wait! You might even learn about car insurance and stuff *gasp*.

4. So your friends need a ride… or two.

First, you’re probably gonna be eager and you’ll easily oblige because come on, you’re so cool right now, wearing your sunnies before putting on your left signal and making that perfect turn – and it’s only cool if they can see it happening! But soon, you’ll find that you have a life and you actually need to get to places instead of just randomly picking up and dropping people off. And hey, point 3 becomes realer – with so many places to go, there’s just not enough time or money to taxi people around all the time.

5. You realize how lucky you are.

Because most of the peeps around you won’t get a car to drive any time soon and you are one lucky little person even if you’re sharing it with 3 other siblings. You become exposed to your privilege and it’s quite humbling. And oh, the bonds you will form with your baby – intentionally or not, you’ll love your ride more than you know is possible!

6. It’s your escape

And soon, driving becomes a way to escape from everyday problems and all the drama. Whether you’re blasting your music or keeping your windows down to feel the breeze, it’ll keep the negatives of life at bay. Your mind can wander or maybe you’re the type who solves problems during car rides? Either way, for just a short while, it’s just you and the road.

Those were just some of the things that I remember feeling when I first got my license and car. Some of those feelings last till today, actually! How else did you feel when you got your first car? Or what are you looking forward to most after getting your license? Comment below because I’d love to know!