Eli Borowsky: My Four Driving Tests

Not everyone passes their driving test on their first try. YR Media’s Eli Borowsky shares how he finally got his license after failing three times.

I was on my way to retake my driving test. Then, on the way to the DMV, I was so nervous, I went into the left lane on a two-way street.

In May of 2023, I failed my driver’s license test. I still remember the critical error I made. I had just left a busy street and went into a residential area where there was an intersection with no signs. If I was driving with my dad, I would have stopped. But I didn’t want the examiner to think I was nervous. So I went straight through.

After we stopped at the DMV, I got the bad news. I told my dad I needed to go to the bathroom and sat on the curb behind the building — grabbing my hair and muttering to myself. I felt like it was the end of the world. “Would I ever get my license? Is this the best I can do? This was my only chance at gaining independence.”

I was so bugged about this. I tried to shrug off the clowning I would get from my friends when I told them it was my third try, but I was still irritated. I’m usually on top of things and prepared. So I was confused and annoyed that I couldn’t get this test down. I had to change how I approached this.

Over the next few months, I had to prove to my dad that I could take the test again. He was getting tired of going to the DMV time after time. I was being more focused when checking my blind spots, I read that DMV manual at least once a month, and watched all the driving test videos I could find on YouTube.

By August, I got my permit again. And although my dad still wasn’t very confident, he took me to get the test taken anyway. And I passed with what the examiner called “the equivalent of an A-minus.” Now, I am driving myself to school, hike and shop where I never could before.

With a Perspective, I’m Eli Borowsky.

Eli Borowsky is 17 years old and lives in Oakland. His Perspective was produced by YR Media.