DDDDave

I am sitting here after saying goodbye to my two daughters driving away in my car.

This is my 16 year olds first 'solo' in Dad's car. They are going to cheerleading practice. She has been driving for almost a year with me and my wife, but Jeez, I'm just not ready for this. I couldn't have been that young when I started driving, could I? I think this is just her way of getting me to get her her own car. Arrgh, it just might work!! What if one my friends calls and says 'Let's go for beers'. Uhh, sorry man, my kids have my car. Accck. I can barely type the words. I guess next it's going to be 'Hey Lauren, can I use the car tonight?'



You don't have to tell me I'm old. I get that. But before you laugh, all of us in this forum will be here someday (we hope )

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Dilbert1234567

They will be fine, just make sure to tell them to drive safe. Reinforce the good, and make sure to tell them when they mess up driving, don’t scold or yell, just let them know that they made an illegal turn or what not.

Good luck, deep breaths, and if worse comes to worse, handcuff them to the radiator.

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98MustGT

Scarry isn't it. I have three daughters 20, 18, 15. My 20 year old had only a small fender bender in a parking lot after about 6 months of driving. Now my 18 year old, she waited until she was 17 to drive after driving for about 6 weeks she had an accident. While driving down a residential street she attempted to put on a necklace, she dropped the necklace bent over to pick it up and then AirBag! She hit a parked car about 40+mph. Of course she had to hit a Lexus that was pushed into a lifted Ford Ranger, The Ranger ended up on top of the Lexus. She was not hurt too bad, no broken bones however the airbag hit her with great force as she was bending over looking for her necklace at that time. She looked like someone punched her. (Thank God for air bags)

My advice (hindsight) Does your daughter pay attention? Does she listen to your advice when you are not around? If there is a No you need to be concerned.

Instinct, you know I just had a bad feeling about her driving that I did not have with the other daughter. If you have that gut feeling inside you are probably right, listen to your gut.

Halx

I think that just illustrates that it's important to teach your kids not only how to drive safely, but how to behave in their car while they are driving. Teach them to put their seat belt on and get all of their cosmetic work done before they shift into drive. Tell them to ignore their cell phones completely while driving. Load their CDs into the changer ahead of time. Get it in their brain before they think they can get away with it.

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hannukah harry

if only that were realistic. i don't know a single cell phone owner who doesn't use it while driving. and the number of times i've seen women do something stupid while talking on the phone in their SUV... if only i had a nickel for each time... (although it's very likely that it's the same thing for men, just i haven't noticed as much).

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slimshaydee

You haven't met me yet
Althought me not talking on my fone is cancelled out by my constant speeding and weaving in and out of traffic

98MustGT

Good point - My oldest daughter listened to that advice, my middle one did not!

WiggleHax

Hey, I am 16 and a half and I've been driving with my license for 5 months now. What do you parents think about kids driving other kids around without that annoying 6 month rule? Is it OK, is it bad? I don't have my 6 month rule up yet and I just drove my friends to the city to see a concert, since they did not have another ride. When my mother asked how we were getting there, I lied and told her that we got a ride from my friend's dad. Of course she found out that I lied and got really mad. She grounded me for a month! Is this punishment too severe? Who really thinks the 6 month rule should be abided by so closely? Give me some feedback! thanks

STi

not trying to be a big dick, but arent these forums for 18+?

as for the 6 month rule, i dont think many kids follow it... but drive safely, if an accident happens, then you may be in some trouble.

willisfrits

When my son started to drive 6 months ago my insurance doubled.....does that little bastard know what he is costing me?

ShaniFaye

mine isnt old enuff to drive yet...but way back when...when I started driving...my parents made me have my learners permit for 2 years from 15-17 (Im not sure what the rules are on ages anymore)

I got to take my drivers test when I was able to pay him the difference in the insurance premium for adding me on and had to continue to pay it for the next year (i got a beat up clunker of a car for graduation all of my very own )

He had two rules for driving his car (cell phones didnt exists back then) If he ever got in the car and the seat wasnt put back in "his" position (Im extremely short and I was the only one that could get in the car with it in "my" position) or he got in and cranked it and was deafened by the stereo, I lost all driving privledges for a month. It happened ONE time (the stereo not the seat). I also had to agree to go to store for my mother anytime she needed me too (wasnt bad it was at the end of the street and a boy I had a crush worked there....they ended up giving me a time limit on the store runs lol) but that did get old too.

My father did all the driving instructing...my mother never let me drive her until I was about 24 lol To this day when I am driving and go into a curve I still hear him tell me..mash the brake until you are halfway into the curve then accelerate the rest of the way out of it

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Cowman

Anyone else questioning the logic in everyone dishing out advice for his kids to drive safe, when the topic started off with

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inharmony

My son is driving and he has already been in 2 accidents (minor)...hmm, and they say women can't drive

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viejo gringo

There will be times when you are both in the car at the same time---make her drive...and maybe, just maybe someday you will be able to sit back and relax...

Until then, you will be able to see how she does...and don't critisize her driving...let her learn from her mistakes....she might even ask for some advise....

you will live thru this...

I made one rule with my six kids...if you are partying or you get in a situation where you feel you should not drive...call me, no matter what time...and I will come and get you and NO ONE will bring the subject up later..it really worked.

Chuckles

If your daughter just got her license, she cant even be driving her siblings around for the first 6 months =/ Its the law here at least in california, pretty sure most places have it. the ONLY way she can drive her siblings is *IF* it is on the way to school, etc, with a signed note from the principal or something like that, or b) somebody over 25 in the car w/ a license. I remember couple years ago I got pulled over when i only had license for about 5 months, for a brake light being out, he was just gonna warn me but then saw the license.. saw the friend.. gave me the ticket.

Suave

That is an amazingly good rule. My parents did the same thing with us.

Cowman

Most states/provinces have their own rules on the subject. Some have graduated licenses like you mention, some don't. Around here, the restrictions are: For the first 2 years, you're not allowed driving between 12am and 5am. Absolutely no liquer in the vehicle at any time..and..I think theres a few other minor restrictions.

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sexymama

And why, may I ask, are you paying for his insurance? When my twins started to drive, they paid for all the cost. One even gave up his license for a short time in order to save money. My soon to be 19 year old is just now working on getting his license. He wasn't willing to pay to drive and felt just fine getting around town on bus and feet. Personally, I'm very glad that he is finally working on getting his license. I'm more relieved that he is older and more responsible.

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ncgti

Our rule for insurance is that we will pay for our children's auto insurance, but if they get a ticket then they pay the increased premium due to the ticket.

ozahs

My 18 year old took out a light pole in a blizzard last year. I didn't yell too much, there wasn't much he could do. That light pole gets taken out several times each winter, I think they ought to move it anyway. He is going to the U now, and lives on campus, so his old car is parked and we took the insurance off it.

My 14 year old is counting the months till she gets her permit next spring. She is the one I am worried about.

I just hope they excersize better judgement than I did. Never had an accident, but there must have been a lot of luck involved.

It just takes time for kids to realize how much attention they have to pay to everything that is going on. Having friends or sibs in the car can be a huge distraction. I think it's a bad idea for the first 6 months or so. Good luck.

joe69

i remember the first time my oldest drove off in our mercedes-benz sl500... i could not sit still until she was back home the next morning

corktop1

No cell phones in the car w/o stopping first is a really good rule - natural tendency of teens to become engrossed in the conversation of the moment and disregard the rapidly moving and heavy machine under their control. This whole driving thing and the concerns that go along with really never go away with the kids. Just watch as best you can and reinforce the rules w/o becoming completely overbearing if possible -I'm sure the driver already understands just how important he/she is to you. I've said lots of silent prayers as I watched the taillights go up the street.