THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9507020097
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE SNIPE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Yayao Hsueh arrived at 7:40 a.m. Saturday to join the line forming outside the Department of Motor Vehicles office.
The age requirement for a learner's permit had just dropped from 15 years and 8 months to just 15. With a permit, a 15-year-old may drive in the presence of a licensed driver 18 or older.
``I want to get it,'' Hsueh said, stretching his arms behind him as if preparing for battle.
The DMV was not scheduled to open until 8:30 a.m., but eager teens like Hsueh sacrificed a few extra hours of sleep to beat heavy traffic.
Lee Hanna, who turned 15 in March, said she got to the DMV at 7:30 a.m. so she wouldn't have to wait in line.
She heard about the changing law when a classmate, whose father is a magistrate, came in excited and announced the news to the class.
``She's studied more for this than she did for her finals at school,'' said her mother, Judy, as Hanna nodded in agreement.
To receive a permit, teenagers need an application and proof of Social Security number, identity, residency and school enrollment.
DMV officials were concerned about teens coming for permits without the required school enrollment form, said public relations coordinator Jeanne Chenault.
With a change in the law came a change in forms.
And before they could legally grip the wheel and put a foot to the pedal, some of the teens suddenly paled.
If their parents were not with them to sign the new form, the DMV could not process their paperwork.
At 8:20 a.m., with the line stretching into the side parking lot, the DMV's Tammy Martini and John Payne were outside making sure everyone had the new permit applications.
At 8:23, the DMV opened early. The crowd flooded toward the seven clerks at top speed.
But by 8:30, Hsueh was sitting in a chair on the sidelines, staring vacantly at the line, by now winding through the maze of ropes.
``I didn't have all my stuff,'' he said glumly. ``My Social Security card and birth certificate are in a bank. My mom went to get them.''
In addition to providing the necessary paperwork, teenagers are also required to take vision and knowledge tests.
At 8:51 a.m., Hsueh's mother returned, and he was back in the race. Minutes later, he sat bouncing one leg, waiting to take the exam.
``I'm nervous,'' he said.
By 9:12, about 20 new permits had been processed, said John Payne, the DMV district manager.
``We've done a good job of getting them in and out,'' he said, noting that he and his staff had prepared for the worst.
``We're pleased with the way things have gone this morning.''
At 9:31, a beaming Hsueh had his permit in hand. ``It feels great,'' he said.
He was ready to put the pedal to the metal, but when his mother's burgundy minivan pulled out of the parking lot, Hsueh wasn't driving.
``My mom won't let me,'' he said, smiling. ILLUSTRATION: JIM WALKER/
Staff photos
Lee Hanna gets her picture taken for her learner's permit on
Saturday at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Norfolk.
Hanna took advantage of a change in state law that lowered the age
requirement for a permit to 15.
After getting her permit, Hanna leaves with her mother, Judy.
``She's studied more for this than she did for her finals at
school,'' Judy Hanna said.
by CNB