The Secret Service taught Malia Obama to drive

By Alexandra Jaffe, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 11:45 AM EDT, Wed April 8, 2015
Barack Obama, then a Democratic presidential hopeful, addresses voters at a January 2008 rally in Des Moines, Iowa, accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha, then 9 and 6, respectively. Click through the gallery to see how the Obama girls grew up before the nation after their father's 2008 election as President.
Barack Obama, then a Democratic presidential hopeful, addresses voters at a January 2008 rally in Des Moines, Iowa, accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha, then 9 and 6, respectively. Click through the gallery to see how the Obama girls grew up before the nation after their father's 2008 election as President.
Charles Ommanney/Getty Images
The family hands out food for Thanksgiving in their hometown of Chicago in November 2008 shortly after Barack Obama's campaign victory.
The family hands out food for Thanksgiving in their hometown of Chicago in November 2008 shortly after Barack Obama's campaign victory.
Getty Images/File
Obama takes the oath of office with his family by his side on January 20, 2009, at the US Capitol. Sasha is at far right, next to Malia.
Obama takes the oath of office with his family by his side on January 20, 2009, at the US Capitol. Sasha is at far right, next to Malia.
Getty Images/File
The President takes Malia, left, and Sasha for a walk <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/14/first.dog/">with their new dog, Bo,</a> on the South Lawn of the White House in April 2009. The Portuguese water dog was a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy. The first family chose the purebreed puppy largely because of Malia's allergies.
The President takes Malia, left, and Sasha for a walk with their new dog, Bo, on the South Lawn of the White House in April 2009. The Portuguese water dog was a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy. The first family chose the purebreed puppy largely because of Malia's allergies.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Sasha watches her dad from the Truman Balcony after he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in May 2009.
Sasha watches her dad from the Truman Balcony after he arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in May 2009.
Getty Images/File
Sasha and Malia play with Bo as they wait for their dad's helicopter to land at the White House in September 2009.
Sasha and Malia play with Bo as they wait for their dad's helicopter to land at the White House in September 2009.
Getty Images/File
Sasha looks at a turkey named Courage during a Thanksgiving tradition to "pardon" a turkey in November 2009.
Sasha looks at a turkey named Courage during a Thanksgiving tradition to "pardon" a turkey in November 2009.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Malia and Sasha read a book to children during a visit to a hospital in Washington in December 2009.
Malia and Sasha read a book to children during a visit to a hospital in Washington in December 2009.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
With an assist from his wife and daughters, Obama presses the button to light the National Christmas Tree on December 2009 at the Ellipse near the White House.
With an assist from his wife and daughters, Obama presses the button to light the National Christmas Tree on December 2009 at the Ellipse near the White House.
The Washington Post/Getty Images
Sasha and her mother serve meals to the needy in Washington in January 2010. The President and Malia also helped in the dining room.
Sasha and her mother serve meals to the needy in Washington in January 2010. The President and Malia also helped in the dining room.
Getty Images/File
President Obama and Sasha watch a WNBA game in Washington in August 2010.
President Obama and Sasha watch a WNBA game in Washington in August 2010.
Getty Images/File
The first lady and her daughters read to children as they visit a community center in Johannesburg in June 2011.
The first lady and her daughters read to children as they visit a community center in Johannesburg in June 2011.
CHARLES DHARAPAK/AFP/Getty Images
The first family greets children dressed as elves at a museum in Washington in December 2011.
The first family greets children dressed as elves at a museum in Washington in December 2011.
Getty Images/File
The President walks with his daughters after a visit to Sea Life Park in Hawaii in December 2011.
The President walks with his daughters after a visit to Sea Life Park in Hawaii in December 2011.
Getty Images/File
The first family sings with Kermit the Frog at the National Tree lighting ceremony in December 2011.
The first family sings with Kermit the Frog at the National Tree lighting ceremony in December 2011.
Getty Images/File
Obama gives Malia a hug and a kiss after not kissing his wife, Michelle, on the "Kiss Cam" at the Verizon Center in July 2012.
Obama gives Malia a hug and a kiss after not kissing his wife, Michelle, on the "Kiss Cam" at the Verizon Center in July 2012.
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post/Getty Images
The first family walks across Lafayette Park to attend Sunday services in Washington in August 2012.
The first family walks across Lafayette Park to attend Sunday services in Washington in August 2012.
Getty Images
The President and his daughters watch on television as the first lady gives a speech at the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.
The President and his daughters watch on television as the first lady gives a speech at the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.
Getty Images
President Obama greets his wife and daughters after being sworn in for his second term in January 2013.
President Obama greets his wife and daughters after being sworn in for his second term in January 2013.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
The first daughters take a selfie of themselves during the presidential inaugural parade on January 21, 2013, in Washington. Malia was 14 and Sasha 11 at the time of their father's second inaugural.
The first daughters take a selfie of themselves during the presidential inaugural parade on January 21, 2013, in Washington. Malia was 14 and Sasha 11 at the time of their father's second inaugural.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images
Obama, with Sasha, center, and Malia, pays for a purchase at the Politics & Prose bookstore in northwest Washington in November 2013.
Obama, with Sasha, center, and Malia, pays for a purchase at the Politics & Prose bookstore in northwest Washington in November 2013.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
The first lady and her daughters receive an escort from Patrick Prendergast, provost and president of Trinity College Dublin, during their June 2013 visit to Ireland.
The first lady and her daughters receive an escort from Patrick Prendergast, provost and president of Trinity College Dublin, during their June 2013 visit to Ireland.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
The first family sings during the finale of TNT's "Christmas in Washington" program in December 2013. Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, and the program's host, actor Hugh Jackman, are at left. Time Warner is the parent company of TNT and CNN.
The first family sings during the finale of TNT's "Christmas in Washington" program in December 2013. Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, and the program's host, actor Hugh Jackman, are at left. Time Warner is the parent company of TNT and CNN.
Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images
Obama and Sasha make burritos at DC Central Kitchen as part of a service project on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2014.
Obama and Sasha make burritos at DC Central Kitchen as part of a service project on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2014.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Michelle Obama shares a light moment with her daughters as they visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China in March 2014.
Michelle Obama shares a light moment with her daughters as they visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China in March 2014.
Andy Wong/AP
The Obamas head to Marine One as they leave the White House for a wedding in August 2014.
The Obamas head to Marine One as they leave the White House for a wedding in August 2014.
Susan Walsh/AP
The first family takes the stage during a taping of the "Christmas in Washington" program in December 2014.
The first family takes the stage during a taping of the "Christmas in Washington" program in December 2014.
Theo Wargo/WireImage/Getty Images
Malia and Sasha arrive at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in March 2015. The Obamas were in Alabama to commemorate the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/08/us/selma-50-years-anniversary-live-events/">50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday</a>, when state troopers clubbed and tear-gassed civil rights marchers headed to Montgomery.
Malia and Sasha arrive at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in March 2015. The Obamas were in Alabama to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when state troopers clubbed and tear-gassed civil rights marchers headed to Montgomery.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Sasha, left, and Malia join their dad as he delivers remarks for the turkey pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in November 2015.
Sasha, left, and Malia join their dad as he delivers remarks for the turkey pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in November 2015.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Malia and Sasha Obama, grandmother Marian Robinson, the first lady and President attend the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse south of the White House in December 2015.
Malia and Sasha Obama, grandmother Marian Robinson, the first lady and President attend the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse south of the White House in December 2015.
Olivier Douliery/Getty Images
Malia attends a state dinner at the White House in March 2016. The dinner was in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and first lady Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau.
Malia attends a state dinner at the White House in March 2016. The dinner was in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and first lady Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau.
Olivier Douliery/Pool/Getty Images
Sasha attends the Trudeau state dinner in March 2016.
Sasha attends the Trudeau state dinner in March 2016.
Olivier Douliery/Pool/Getty Images
Obama hugs Malia at the White House Fourth of July party in 2016. She was <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/05/politics/obama-malia-birthday-singing/">celebrating her 18th birthday</a> during the party, which included musicians Janelle Monae and Kendrick Lamar.
Obama hugs Malia at the White House Fourth of July party in 2016. She was celebrating her 18th birthday during the party, which included musicians Janelle Monae and Kendrick Lamar.
Aude Guerrucci/Getty Images
Obama and the first lady head to the tarmac to board Air Force One with their daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, left, at Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts in August 2016.
Obama and the first lady head to the tarmac to board Air Force One with their daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, left, at Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts in August 2016.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
How they've grown! Malia and Sasha Obama: 2008-present
Washington CNN  — 

Secret Service agents have one of the toughest jobs in Washington: They are expected, if necessary, to put their lives on the line in the protection of the President and his family.

They’ve also had to teach a teen to drive.

First lady Michelle Obama revealed this week that her older daughter, 16-year-old Malia, was taught to drive by the Secret Service and occasionally drives outside the White House grounds on her own.

“The Secret Service [taught her], actually, because they wouldn’t let me in the car with her,” Obama told television host Rachael Ray in an interview that’s set to air Thursday.

It’s a good thing, too, as the First Lady told Ray she hasn’t driven in seven or eight years, and admitted earlier this week she’s forgotten some of the basics.

During a Monday interview on “Live! With Kelly and Michael,” Obama said that when Malia asked her for advice on how to park in a public lot, the First Lady wasn’t sure.

“I barely know now too so I have to check with other sources,” she said.

Obama said that while Malia is typically covered by a security detail, she has driven on her own.

“She always has security around. But in order for her to learn how to drive, she had to drive on her own. So once she was legally permitted to drive on her own, she gets in her car,” she said.

Allowing Malia to drive, Obama told Ray, is part of her parents’ effort to give their kids as normal a life as possible, despite their unusual upbringing.

“Driving for Malia, I think, gives her a sense of normalcy, like the rest of her friends are doing. And my kids have got to learn how to live in the world like normal kids,” she said.