I need to get a Utah state ID, but I don't want to do it. If I had one, I'd be able to vote here, and, most importantly, I can establish residency. University of Utah is one of those rare schools that allows out-of-state students to establish residency while attending school. Residency would mean that I have to pay about half of what I'm currently paying for tuition. That is a big difference.
So it seems like a no-brainer that I would just go and get my Utah state ID. There is, however, still one massive problem. Getting a state ID makes my Idaho driver's license invalid.
I've been driving for about five years. I'll never forget how proud I was to pass both of those tests and get that little rectangle of plastic that said I could drive. I love driving, even if I don't have a car. Because I don't have a car down here, I don't really see any way for me to get my driver's license. This is why I would have to settle for a state-issued ID card. But if I get one of those, that means I am not legally allowed to drive anymore.
I have no real reason to need to drive down here. I love public transportation and I love walking. However, my need for a license is about the emotions attached to driving. Getting that bit of plastic made me feel like an adult. Having it say I was over the age of 18 was more of a validation of my adulthood than my birthday had been. Being able to carry a license around makes me feel like I am independent, like I am a real person that matters. Like I said, I don't drive much, but that's not the point. The point is that I can drive if I want to drive.
And sure, there are other factors involved. If I got a state ID, I'd be giving up my Idaho residency. I was born in Idaho, and other than last year's little adventure in Portland, Idaho is where I have spent my life. But now I live in Utah, and I love Utah. I'm just also in love with driving, and I'm in love with my home state. I'm just not quite ready to give those up quite yet.
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