The points of issue
First book texts are softcover: the Dramatists Play Service acting edition (1997, wrappers, ISBN 0-8222-1623-X) and the TCG collection 'The Mammary Plays' (1998, ISBN 1-55936-144-1), which pairs How I Learned to Drive with The Mineola Twins. No trade hardcover first; collect the earliest wrappered text with no later-printing line.
Is this the true first?
The 1997 DPS acting edition is the earliest separate book text; the 1998 TCG trade collection is a later 'first thus.' Awarded the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This is a softcover-original title with no hardcover first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Multiple DPS printings exist; the first printing lacks the additional-printing line. No book-club issue.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of How I Learned to Drive a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First book texts are softcover: the Dramatists Play Service acting edition (1997, wrappers, ISBN 0-8222-1623-X) and the TCG collection 'The Mammary Plays' (1998, ISBN 1-55936-144-1), which pairs How I Learned to Drive with The Mineola Twins. No trade hardcover first; collect the earliest wrappered text with no later-printing line.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The 1997 DPS acting edition is the earliest separate book text; the 1998 TCG trade collection is a later 'first thus.' Awarded the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This is a softcover-original title with no hardcover first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Multiple DPS printings exist; the first printing lacks the additional-printing line. No book-club issue.
I have a first edition of How I Learned to Drive — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.