English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language and Culture in the U.S. » Unit 3: Taking a Drive
Are you fed up with hanging around, waiting for buses and trains? They go everywhere, but waiting at that bus stop gets pretty chilly in the winter. Cabs are really convenient, but they sure can be expensive. What’s the perfect solution? Drive! I know, I know. You may not have a car. The good news is that it’s cheaper to get a license than to get a car. Ha! And although you can’t borrow a driver’s license, you can rent a car. But watch out for those crazy drivers! You’ll need to make sure you know the rules of the road. Each state has all the information and rules about getting a license on its DMV website. “DMV” stands for Division or Department of Motor Vehicles. The bad news: there is usually a test!
Lia: Hi. I’d like to get a New Jersey driver’s license.
DMV Worker: Do you want to renew a New Jersey license or apply for a new one?
Lia: I don’t have a New Jersey license, but I have my license from my country.
DMV Worker: You can’t use that here. Do you have an application?
Lia: No, I don’t.
DMV Worker: You’ll need to fill out an application. Do you have the required picture ID?
Lia: Yes, I do and I have my passport. Do I need anything else?
DMV Worker: You can check this list of required documents. If you have all the paperwork, you just need to take a vision test and the written test. When that person is finished, you can go to booth number 9 and have your picture taken.
Lia: Yikes! Can I skip the picture? I’m having a bad hair day!
DMV Worker: Sorry. Our state requires a photo-license.
| Tip 1 | Rules for getting your license can be different in each state. Before you go, make sure you check what documents you need. It can be very frustrating to wait on line, then find out you don’t have the right documents. You can find out on the DMV website when you check the office hours. This is not a place anyone likes to visit more than once! |
| Tip 2 | It’s a good idea to take a newspaper with you (you can practice reading English). The long lines at the DMV are famous (and not in a good way!). Don’t go on a bad hair day. You’ll be stuck with that license photo for a long time. |
So you’d like to take the family for a drive in the country. A train might take you there, but it’s so much easier to see the sights by driving around in a car. Maybe it’s time to rent a car. It’s always a good idea to check many car-rental companies to find the best price. You can search on the Internet or call the company’s 800 number. What kind of car do you want? You’ll need to decide on a type: economy, midsize, or luxury. You can choose the car that fits your needs. Be prepared to pay more for larger cars. You’ll also need to buy insurance, just in case a bear in the country decides that your compact car is lunch!
Lia: Hello. I’d like to rent a car for the weekend.
Friendly Rent-A-Car: Do you have your driver’s license with you?
Lia: Yes, I do.
Friendly Rent-A-Car: If you want an economy car, we have a nice compact outside.
Lia: Is it a four-door?
Friendly Rent-A-Car: No, it isn’t. It’s a two-door, but it has a hatchback. And it has a sunroof!
Lia: Do you have anything bigger and faster?
Friendly Rent-A-Car: Well, we have a midsized convertible, but the compact is more economical.
Lia: How about a big van? I have a large family.
Friendly Rent-A-Car: Sure, we have a van. It’s very roomy. It’s the biggest and most expensive of the three.
Lia: Well, I’d like the convertible for myself, but I guess I’ll take the van. Maybe next time…
| Tip 3 | When you rent a car, you’ll be asked to buy insurance. This is a good idea. If anything happens to the car while you have it, the insurance will pay for any damage. If you use a credit card to rent the car, you may already have insurance coverage. It’s a good idea to check with your credit card company first; you can save a few bucks! |
To compare longer adjectives, use more.
Examples: The smaller car is more economical than the van.
Do not use both more and -er! Do not say more faster.
To compare three or more things with short adjectives, use the superlative form. Use the and the letters -est.
Examples: A midsized car is the fastest.
To compare three or more things with longer adjectives, use the and most.
Examples: The luxury car is the most comfortable one of all.
Do not use both most and -est! Do not say the most fastest.
Oops. What are those flashing lights behind you? Oh, no! Were you careful to watch the speed limit signs along the road? Those flashing lights don’t mean a party this time; they mean the police officer would like to have a little chat with you. Maybe you shouldn’t have rented that fancy car after all. The flashing lights on a police car usually mean the police officer has noticed a moving violation. If a cop pulls you over, move to the shoulder of the road right away, as safely as you can. Be careful of traffic on the highway! It’s important to be respectful to the officer, even if you’re not sure why he or she is stopping you.
State Trooper: Good morning, sir. I pulled you over because the speed limit is 50 miles per hour. You were driving much faster than that. You were doing 70.
Alan: I’m sorry, Officer. I didn’t notice the sign, but I thought I was driving slower than that.
State Trooper: I need to see your license and registration.
Alan: I don’t have my license with me. I think I left it home.
State Trooper: You need to have license and registration with you in the car at all times, sir. I am going to issue you a ticket for speeding and another one for not having the proper documents. You can call the clerk’s office to find out the amount of the fines.
Alan: Can I just pay you now?
State Trooper: Sir, police officers aren’t allowed to take money. You have to call the clerk’s office. You can go there to pay in person, or you can mail it in.
Alan: This is my first speeding ticket.
State Trooper: Have a nice day, sir.
| Tip 4 | Know what documents you need to keep in your car. |
| Tip 5 | If a police officer pulls you over, don’t get out of the car. Wait for the police officer to come to your window. |
| Tip 6 | Be polite. Those police officers have had a tough day! |
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