Baby, You Can Drive Once More / 'Tis Time For Me To Hit the Store.

June 9, 2009 9:46 AM

Need gift ideas for a fantastic fella who's just about to finish up a grueling one-year license suspension.

A little under a year ago, our jurisdiction informed Significant Other that he was no longer at liberty to drive. If you thought that having your wheels yanked sucked at sixteen... try it in your late twenties. However, we slogged through it, he paid his debt to society and is now days away from re-licensed glory.

It's not the kind of thing that's usually celebrated... but damn it, it WAS a legitimately tough row to hoe. I'd like to give him a little present the day he gets his license back (pricey and tangible not required, heartfelt and humorous both bonuses). Suggestions?

posted by julthumbscrew to grab bag (9 comments total)

Unless your SO did not lose the license due to horrifically bad driving, perhaps a gorgeously scenic drive is in order?

Buy a brand new map, and map out the route using colored markers, maybe with little sop points along the way. Include a variety of driving environments -- highway, parkway, curvy country roads, and the main street of a quaint small town.

Make sure to pop a CD full of epic tunes, let them get behind the wheel, and drive away, perhaps treating them to dinner at the destination.'

A side benefit is this gives them an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with being behind the wheel.
posted by Deathalicious at 9:51 AM on June 9 [1 favorite]

I think a pair of Truck Nutz™ wrapped in an elegant gift box would be the perfect combination of practical and symbolic.
posted by bondcliff at 9:53 AM on June 9

My SO has been through this too and I think what he most enjoyed was just driving again. Even if he could have walked to the store for a gallon of milk, he drove, damnit! :)

Not sure where you're located, but you could take take a day trip to visit a different city, national park, really great restaurant, shopping district, museum... Maybe even renting a really awesome car for the day.
posted by youngergirl44 at 9:54 AM on June 9

Chauffeur's cap.
posted by infinitewindow at 10:42 AM on June 9 [3 favorites]

A CD if driving songs. I'm thinking of The Beatles "Baby You Can Drive My Car", Maybe Golden Earring's "Radar Love", Commander Cody's "Hot Rod Lincoln". You get the idea.

Fuzzy Dice for the rear view mirror.

A gas card.

Seat covers.
posted by Reverend John at 1:13 PM on June 9 [2 favorites]

Off the top of my head, how about renting a nice convertible for a day or two, and heading out some winding roads to a night or two at a bed and breakfast, campground, or small rural hotel. If money is an issue, skip the rental and just take your regular car. A nice drive in the country will be a good way for him to get back into driving, and enjoyable too.
posted by Antidisestablishmentarianist at 2:53 PM on June 9 [1 favorite]

How about some advanced driver training? The practical stuff where you learn the limits of you car (and your own limits) can be a pretty interesting experience - would also help with any rustiness after taking a year off.
posted by MatJ at 3:26 PM on June 9

Something from Tom and Ray. In fact, I think they'd like this question - call and ask them.
posted by theora55 at 5:48 PM on June 9 [1 favorite]

A gift card to a drive in burger joint, the kind where car hops come out to the car with a tray and hang it on your window. Sonic or A & W are what we have in Colorado.
posted by BoscosMom at 6:00 PM on June 9