There is a common stereotype that Asians, Asian women in particular, are bad drivers. Being an Asian woman, I find myself falling under this stereotype, especially after failing the drive test three times and finally passing on the fourth. Although I am a firm believer in proving stereotypes wrong instead of conforming to them, I am pleasantly surprised to say that I have actually learned a few things about driving and life itself by conforming to the Asian driver stereotype. Here's why I failed and what I learned from each failure.
The first time I failed, I made a critical driver error, which is also known as an automatic fail. My examiner instructed me to make a right turn, so I pulled into the bike lane and made said right turn. Why, then, did I fail? The street I was driving on was completely empty, so I assumed it would be safe and pulled into the bike lane without checking my mirrors or even turning my head. This, to my examiner, was a "dangerous maneuver" because there "could have been bikers." Through this failure, I learned that in driving and in life, assuming is never enough. I remember in school, my teacher would say, "don't make an ass of you and me." I assumed that it would be safe, but what if there really was a biker that I had failed to notice? Life itself is already filled with so many unknowns- it's up to us to search for proof and certainty.
The second time I failed, I made another critical driving error. Upon exiting the DMV, I drove right into the curb. Yes, you read that correctly. I straight up drove into the curb. I was arrogant this time. I was positive I was the best driver out there. I thought failing the first time was a fluke. I couldn't possibly fail again. Of course, I proved myself wrong when I failed within the first minute of my test. But through this failure, I learned that arrogance, conceit, hubris- all this leads to absolutely nothing. It is imperative to face life with humility and modesty; ultimately, we are all equals, and the universe does not distinguish between the characteristics that we think place ourselves above others. The ability to remain humble in each and every situation is one that is exceptionally difficult to attain but is something we should all strive for.
The third time I failed, I made...wait for it... another critical driving error! Go me. I was nervous and genuinely scared this time; I knew it was my last chance before I would have to retake the permit test. (In case you aren't familiar, if, on the off chance you fail three times in a row, you must take the written test again.) A million thoughts were racing through my mind as I drove- thoughts of fear, of despair, and of failure. While driving in the residential district, I was "driving way too close" to the cars parked in the street, which resulted in my examiner instructing me to drive further away. (Any form of examiner intervention is considered an automatic failure.) Through this failure, I learned that fear is able to lock you in a deadly embrace only if you refuse to fight back. Of course, this is nothing new and has been said many times before, but I truly believe it to be one of the most important lessons we can ever learn in life. I often myself giving in when I am afraid; I allow fear to consume me and to hold me back. But, we must remember to fight back, whether it be fear, injustice, or perhaps even both.
A year later, I walked back into the DMV, confident but not arrogant, slightly nervous but not afraid. A year of reflection and a year of practice had passed, and I felt genuinely ready and capable. So, on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, I exited the DMV feeling exuberant and content. I was finally licensed.
