Most people have thought we were mean parents because DS didn't get his driver's permit until he was 16 and now he will be 18 at the end of Feb and he still doesn't have his driver's license. If we take him around the first of Feb then he will get a non restricted driver's license and it will be good for 6 years - so we are waiting a few more days. Even after he gets his license he still will not be running around by himself all of the time but he can at least go to the feed mill to get his cattle feed and take himself back and forth to work twice a week.
When will/did you let your teenager get their permit/driver's license?
Teenagers and Driver's License
(13 posts) (11 voices)-
Posted 6 months ago #
-
Over here in Sweden you're not allowed to get your license until you're 18. The learner's permit you can get at 16, which they changed a few years ago. It used to be 17½. Our son just turned 16, so we're in the process of getting him his permit. They have changed a lot of rules lately and now you, as parents, have to take a 3-hour course together with your child, before you can even start driving with them. It's pretty strict over here, but I guess it's a good thing - don't want immature teenagers driving around on their own!
Posted 6 months ago # -
Helen...I"m REALLY hoping they do that here before my kids are old enough to drive!!! I might would be okay if I had a daughter driving because girls generally tend to be more cautious...but we know how boys are!! I won't have a hair left on my head when they start driving!!!!!!
Posted 6 months ago # -
OMG - this is so on my mind lately. Justin is 16 - he could have gotten his learners permit 6 months ago. He's gone online and studied and taken the online practice tests - passes them all - then he seems to forget about it. He's homeschooled so I found a drivers academy right in my neighborhood he could go to get the book part and the driving part. I told him we'll take him to get the permit whenever he gets ready. I am sooooooooo glad he's not rushing to do it. Don't get me wrong - I really think he will be a good, careful driver - it just makes me nervous to have him out there with all the other crazy people on the road. I can't imagine sitting here at work trying to concentrate with him out driving around. I have to admit, though, having him run some of my errands would be nice. I guess it's just one of those things I will have to close my eyes and deal with. And pray a lot!!
Posted 6 months ago # -
I like that they are waiting until kids are older these days......I remember when I started driving and how scary it was....I also remember what a "stellar" driver I was as well....like when the rock jumped right out in front of me when I was driving to my friend's house....and like when shopping carts mysteriously rubbed up against the car....all the things I backed into and never told my mom....she would ask, "Did you hit something?" and I would say, "NO! Why?" and knowing full well I backed into the half wall.....luckily it was like only 2 miles an hour and they were minor scratches, but still.....and I was a girl who didn't party in high school.....I had friends who didn't drink or anything, I was super responsible.....I remember ho wbad of drivers my other friends were too, my friend Nate sideswiped a construction barrel.....and he was a worse driver than me!
Posted 6 months ago # -
I'm so not trying to scare you....just trying to reiterate the fact that you made the right choice having your son wait!
Posted 6 months ago # -
I am hoping by the time mine are old enough to drive that the laws will have changed so that you have to be older than 16 to get one. We have 12-13 years before our first will be 16. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Posted 6 months ago # -
Shannon - that is too funny about your driving. I am 40 something and things like that still happen to me
In Texas your child can be parent taught - which is what we have done - and they only have to take a written test for the regular driver's license - no driving test
DH has done most of the teaching and behind the wheel but now my son is a pretty good driver and he even helped drive to Kentucky and back.
Posted 6 months ago # -
My oldest is 17 1/2. He could have gotten his license 2 summers agao (beginners) and could have his permit now -- actually could have had it last summer on his 17th b-day. He is in no hurry, though. I left it totally up to him when he wanted to write his test. Got only 1 question wrong on the test, and got his beginner's in October. He hasn't been driving much yet, though.
Funny thing was that he got his glider's license BEFORE his beginner's
Going for his power license this summer.
Posted 6 months ago # -
I totally support the graduated system. Where I'm originally from they have certain levels - for example - a teen driver can drive but only with an adult in the car, then can drive with no one in the car, then with other teens. Also it is zero tolerance for things like cell phones when driving. Where I live now it's a little bit graduated, but i'd like to see more. I went and got my learners the first day I could and I assume my kids will probably do the same. I'll let them, but they won't have their own cars for a while!
Posted 6 months ago # -
The idea scares me to death...he is not a teen yet so I have a few years to worry about it.
Posted 6 months ago # -
It's hard for me to even imagine this because my kids are so little and this is way off for us, but I remember how strict my parents were. My dad did take me to get my license on my 16th birthday, but it was quite a while before I was allowed to drive without him in the car. I remember my first outing very well.. my best friend and I went to a movie (Wayne's World of all things!) and I had to call the minute we got to the theater and the minute we were leaving. If I hadn't of made it to and from in the allotted time, my dad would have been burning up the roads to find me and make sure we were ok!
Posted 6 months ago # -
Mine have to be able to pay for half of driver's ed and all of their insurance before they can get their licenses. It is a great way to make them wait! Totally in their hands!
Posted 6 months ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.