Track 4 of the album Porch Steps Full · 2025
Learner Plates, Uncle in the Passenger Seat
by Kane Rivers
“Uncle in the passenger seat like a coach in a corner. I stalled twice and he never raised his voice.”
rap · driving rap · confident hip hop · 2:52
Lyrics
Learner plates taped on a hand-me-down Honda Uncle in the passenger seat like a coach in a corner Mirror, signal, shoulder, that's the order he's drilling Hands at ten and two while my heartbeat's thrilling Empty lot Sunday, cones set up like a chorus Stalling on the first hill, laughing, no one ignoring us He says the road is a verse, you gotta learn the timing Don't ride the brake, don't ride the pressure, keep climbing Easy on the gas, easy on the wheel Learning how to move, learning how to feel Uncle in the passenger seat, saying you got this One more lap round the lot, I'm getting closer Easy on the gas, easy on the wheel Every little mile is a skill I steal Eyes up, hands steady, let the engine hum Learner plates today, tomorrow I'm the one Parallel park by the bodega, he's counting down Three tries, four tries, hazard lights going round Neighbors on the stoop with the commentary free Aunties shouting turn it left, uncle shouting wait for me Then it clicks, the curb is kissed, the car sits right He taps the dash like a drum and says that's tight Merge onto the avenue, my palms are slick But the lane opens up and the nerves go quick Easy on the gas, easy on the wheel Learning how to move, learning how to feel Uncle in the passenger seat, saying you got this One more lap round the lot, I'm getting closer Easy on the gas, easy on the wheel Every little mile is a skill I steal Eyes up, hands steady, let the engine hum Learner plates today, tomorrow I'm the one He never raised his voice, not once Just said the road forgives a patient one Every wrong turn teaches where the right turn goes Every stall is a lesson nobody knows Test day morning, collar crisp, keys in my fist Uncle in the waiting room, thumbs up, I can't miss Examiner nods, clipboard scribbles slow Pull back in the lot, and she says you're good to go Peeled off the plates, put them on his dashboard He grinned like I'd just won a million at the sports board Now I drive him home, he's the passenger, proud Windows down, beat up, singing way too loud Easy on the gas, easy on the wheel Learning how to move, learning how to feel Uncle in the passenger seat, saying you got this One more lap round the lot, I'm getting closer Easy on the gas, easy on the wheel Every little mile is a skill I steal Eyes up, hands steady, let the engine hum Learner plates today, tomorrow I'm the one Mirror, signal, shoulder, go Thanks for teaching me the road