The first and foremost symbol in the film with which we are first met, would have to be the iconic scorpion the Driver dons on the back of his jacket. This jacket was all the rage for film buffs around Halloween, and for those shelling out the big bucks, replicas were made available. However, it is important to understand what the scorpion represents as well as what it means in the context of the movie. What will help you most understand the symbol comes toward the end of the movie, in which Driver is on the phone, arranging a meeting with Bernie after killing Nino. At a point he remarks, "You know the story of the scorpion and the frog? Your friend Nino didn't make it across the river." This quote is uttered very quickly, and may not be understood the first time. And in order to fully understand it, you must be familiar with the story itself.
The story goes: a scorpion once came upon a river, wanting to cross it. Realizing he could not do so himself, he asked a nearby frog, "Could you help me across the river?" to which the frog replied, "Of course, but how will I know you won't sting me?". The scorpion replied with logic, "Why would I do such a thing? If I did we would both sink and die." Seeing the truth of what the scorpion had said, they both began their venture across the river. Once they were about halfway across, the scorpion stung the frog, and the frog shocked, asked, "Why would you do that?" to which the scorpion replied, "It is in my nature, I can do nothing else." And then the two perished together.
You may wonder, how does this relate to the story of our Driver? In many ways. From the start, when he first sees Irene and Benicio, he feels a strong urge to help, one which he cannot keep himself from doing. From the moment he first sees them in the parking lot with engine trouble, he has begun his way down the slippery slope. Again, when he sees Standard bloody and beaten, he can do nothing else but help, help a little boy and a mother, for it is in his nature. Each and every time, rather than backing off, or leaving he can only do what he must, and help. The Driver lives off of and depends on criminal scum like Nino and the lot to exist in his role as 'Driver', but it is in his nature to strike back and do good. This as a whole represents the internal conflict going on within the man. This is evidenced when Driver is watching cartoons with Benicio, and asks him, "There are no good sharks?" He is wondering whether his actions are justified and make him a hero, or whether the same actions demonize him and make him a villain, or in this case, a shark.
There is certainly another aspect to the iconic scorpion jacket, and that is of course it's bloodiness, and how it progresses throughout the film. The jacket, in the beginning, pure and white, represents the Driver's intentions, and good he hopes to inject into the world. As time goes on however, the blood dirties and bloodies with each dirty deed he must do in order to ensure the safety of Irene and Benicio. While it may seem out of place, the jacket more importantly is representative than literal.
Almost running parallel is the mask with which we first see on the stunt lot in the beginning. The mask chronicles his descent into crime, the Driver joining those he despises in order to uphold his ideals and the safety of those he cares about. When he finally dons the mask and murders Nino, he has become what he must, not because he wants to but because it is necessary. He hopes to separate himself from these deeds by wearing the mask, but in actuality he has become what he despises, and must lower himself to their level in order to combat them.
In the end, when Driver prevails over Bernie Rose, there is much at work. From when Driver and him are first introduces, Driver removes his gloves and states, "My hands are a little dirty", to which Rose replies, "So are mine kid." Later on, we see Rose sitting in his mansion, built upon the murder and demise of others. He sits down and glances at his hand that have committed such atrocities, and he begins to question his motives. This is ultimately a reason why Driver prevails, while he has to 'get his hands dirty' in a sense, he never questions his mission, and it is this reason that in the end that the Driver is able to blink as the music kicks in, and Drive off into the sunset. That or, maybe all those staring contests with Benicio, who knows.
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