u/sothisisreddit-yikes

I just received my first pair of tzitzit!! But I have a question. I know one string must be longer than the others, but the longest string goes halfway down my shin while the rest stop at the knee. Would it be permissible for me to cut (either gnaw or burn off) the string to shorten it or does it have to remain this long? Im worried about it getting dirty/frayed from being so long and I haven't seen anyone with such long tzitzis in my community.

EDIT: Thanks everyone!

I'm so stressed about this oh my goddd. In Florida you need to take the driving exam with a working registered and insured car. What exactly is the plan for people like me that don't have parents to help them with this?? None of my friends want to let me use their car for the at most 10 minute exam because they're scared I'll "wreck the car and you're not on the insurance so I can't sorry, hope you understand" like Yea I get it but also c'mon man, we know each other. It's like, I'm upset at the situation and not at them but also I am upset at them because it feels like they think so little of me (this is a bad faith reading, I know thy care but right now I'm just putting it all out there if that makes sense ig). I would let them drive my car for the test if the roles were reversed, I would ask them if they'd practiced and help as best I could in an empty lot or have them explain the situation before giving them a "hell no" like I got because I understand what it's like to have no one and because I trust and care for my friends. I don't know man. I'm really stressed about this.

I need a car NOW because my other job laid me off and the job I have now is a $30 Uber away at night when the busses don't run anymore and I would be just barely treading water if I kept picking up shifts and ubering home at night. Just fuck man. I have ONE friend who actually gets it and wants to help me but her car is broke until maybe the weekend. I can afford a car, I'm actively trying to buy one next week. But I can't register it or get it insured or do ANYTHING unless I have a fucking license AND I CAN'T GET THE LICENSE UNLESS I HAVE/USE A REGISTERED AND INSURED CAR. I don't know what I'll do. I guess look at the cars and pray that either my one friend is free and can help drive it home where I can practice with it or I'll just take the risk and drive it home because what else can I do in this situation. I don't know anymore. I wish I had people in my corner because I feel very alone and poor right now.