What is a great age for your teenager to start driving? I am a little worried about this next step with my daughter, I just want her safe. Any suggestions? Ways to be sure she will be okay?
My son is going to be 16 in Nov. and he has been driving with me now for a few months. He is signed up for the driver's ed. class at school that begins in Aug. I know the driver's ed. teachers at the high school are fantastic because my daughter also went through the class about 4 years ago. I am learning a whole lot of patience!!
We are in the Dallas area. Our daughter took a driver ed course and is required to do 14 hours of driving with instructors.
We also pay for extra private driving lessons.
She will be 16 in Dec and be able to get a a license. We started this process in Feb.
We feel like the private drive time is very important and she resonds well to her instructor. They like wach other a lot and get along well.
I also highly recommend that she take a driver ed class. The instructor will tell you if she's ready for a license.
We recently had friends lose two teenage sons in a car accident. Ironically, they had always been terrified (more than most) to let them drive. They made a very amateur mistake and got stuck making a bad turn and were struck by a truck.
The whole incident made me vow to have my kids driving with me as EARLY AS POSSIBLE-WAY BEFORE permit age. I want them to be relaxed, experienced, and comfortable driving way before it's time for all the tests, even though I won't let them drive alone of course. My dad let us drive his truck (rural setting) when we were12-14!
We already set the example of no phones in the car and no drinking and driving. My daughter is only 4 and I'm like, "See, I have to stop somewhere so I can call your dad real quick, people have accidents if they mess with phones in the car.." and we're like, "See, Dad's not drinking beer at the restaurant because he's driving home". It's never too young to start with EVERYTHING driving wise.
Oh, also-make her pay! Her own car, her own gas, her own insurance. Kids are MUCH MORE CAREFUL with things they value and work for.
ps I got my license in Germany at 18-they should SO have that age here too.
I think everyone worries about this, but laws have changed, and they have to keep their permit for a minimum of 6 months - it is good for a year - so they get more experience, and are a little older when they do get their license.
