When I was 18, I really didn’t care to get a license and drive. To this day, I still walk, bike and take transit almost everywhere. I love it! However, my parents were forceful about me driving. At the time, they told me “woman shouldn’t be walking alone at night.”

Seriously, for this strong-headed feminist woman, that wasn’t convincing.

Yet, I did pass the exam, and have learned to appreciate having the ability to drive throughout my life. It is clear to me know that learning the skill of driving is one that gives every young person the unique comprehension of being a leader. Although you can acquire these skills in other ways, it is rare when I meet someone who can’t drive who possesses all of them. And, although I feel it’s healthier for an individual, and better for the planet to bike to work, the knowledge that comes with learning to drive is unlike any other task.

Decisiveness

You have to be decisive when driving. It requires you plan a route in advance, when to get gas, if you will stop for a light when it turns yellow or even make quick decisions to turn around. Making decisions like this are the same kind of decisions we make to become leaders in our community.

Responsibility to other people

When you are a driver, you have a responsibility to your passengers in the car, as well as to all the pedestrians and other vehicles on the road, including bikes! If you fail to be responsible in a vehicle, you can harm, or fatally kill someone. This is a great lesson for how to understand how your actions can effect other people, and help make you more aware in general.

Sharing

Drivers almost always share their car, their gas with other people inside. Perhaps we need to cut down on single passenger vehicles on the way to work, but good drivers must generous and thoughtful about other people who they’ve brought along for the ride. You need to be considerate of their needs like having to eat or drink or inevitably, pee. This is a huge part of leadership – it’s your responsibility to know where you are going, be on time, to serve the needs of everyone in your vehicle, and if you’re driving for more than one day, you’ll need to find a place to sleep.

How to Pay Payments on time

When you get your first car, at the very least you have to get insurance perhaps pay off the car in installations. On top of the monthly charges you will also need to pay for oil changes, maintenance, parking and repairs. Yikes! it’s expensive, however, having this skill allows you to start learning how to budget, and be responsible with your money. The consequences of not paying your parking tickets or your insurance are steep, and if you fail to meet your deadlines, no car for you!