[_tunic_]

This had me laughing out loud. Kids in the US will not be killed by Corona, but by driving in a car!

 

No driving test, but a driving license for 20,000 American youth

There are no driving tests in Georgia today because of the corona virus. But the backlogs have grown so much that the authorities have issued the driving licenses. Almost 20,000 young people now have a driving license, but have not taken an exam.

"I was so nervous about the exam. With the parking and all that," said 17-year-old Willa to CNN. "So I was very happy that I didn't have to do it."

Willa from Tucker, Georgia, could simply apply for her driver's license online. She does not have to take an exam now, just like thousands of other young people.

Exam by parents
In the state of Wisconsin, 16- and 17-year-olds will receive their driving license next week, without an exam. This concerns about 10,000 young people.

The parents of 17-year-old Stephanie from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, eventually do some kind of driving test themselves.

"My wife and I told each other that we are going to practice with her to see if she's ready," said Tom, Stephanie's father.

"We are the ones who have to give permission for her driver's license. We want to be sure as responsible parents."

A few rules
The states of Georgia and Wisconsin don't just hand out the driving licenses. There are a few rules. Young people in Georgia must have previously driven with a driving instructor for 40 hours.

They must also have a exercise driving license for at least a year without violations. You can apply for this in Georgia when you are 15 years old. You can then drive under the supervision of someone aged 21 or older who does have a driving license.

In Wisconsin, youth should have such an exercise certificate for at least six months. In addition, they must have practiced with their parents for 30 hours.

"Dangerous idea"
"We cannot assume that everyone has responsible parents," said driving instructor Sarah Casto of Georgia. "That is a dangerous idea."

She has started an online petition to stop the exam-less driving licenses.

Gas and brake
Some parents feel the same way. Mother Laurie from Georgia says, "It is dangerous that no one checks whether the person knows what the accelerator is and what the brake pedal is."

Too bad for Laurie. Her son is already 18 and he does not need his parents' permission to apply for a driver's license.