For Richard, driving was a sign of independence, and with it a sign of responsibility. He had passed his driving test the first time he had taken it and had never had any problems with the law. Emily had been exactly the same. Nevertheless, he was surprised when Lorelai insisted on learning how to drive. They had just gotten over the shock that she was pregnant. Emily refused immediately, saying that she was going to have enough responsibilities with taking care of the baby. He found her one day stubbornly trying to start the car.

He sighed. "Lorelai, would you like to learn how to drive?"

He showed her the basic motions, but Emily put an end to it, saying that she would not let Lorelai do anything that could possibly harm the baby. But it didn't really surprise him when he found the note saying she had driven herself to the hospital and was going into labor. The car was just the next step of finding her own independence and distancing herself from them.