15 year old not interested in driving?

[funkychunkymonkey]

When I was 15, I went to get my learners permit on the first day I was eligible and I got my license on my 16th birthday. DS turned 15 in August. He took drivers ed this past summer, and got his drivers eligibility certificate in early August. WHen I bring up going to get his permit, he says he doesn't want it. He says he is not a good driver and is scared to drive. In our state, you can't get your license until you have a permit for a year, unless you are 18. So today we went down, but the office was packed. I am going to have to take him back next week and MAKE him take the test.

Anyone's else's kid feel this way?

I felt the same way at that age. Mom MADE me take the permit test but I never took the road test. Now at 25 I regret it.

 

[Becky2005]

It does take us about 30 minutes longer to get anywhere and I swear he is going to take out every mailbox in our neighborhood.

You know they complain about slow granny drivers -- they have NOT been behind my DD while driving. I do usually try to get on 4 lane roads so people can pass us. She says it's because she has to push so hard in the van to get it up to speed vs. when she was in the driver's ed car if she pushed that hard the car would be going 80!

I'm also convinced she is WAY over the white line but we have decided it must just be an illusion because I know when I have been driving in construction before she even had her permit she was convinced I was going to hit the concrete barrier on the passenger side. It had her freaked out. Now that I'm on that side, I'm convinced she's too far over more often than not and is going to take something out on the passenger side (although, I'd rather her take out a mailbox, ditch, etc... than be too far over the yellow line and meet up with another car!)..

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I didn't care about driving for a long time, I don't think I got my permit until I was 18, but I also live in a town where I can walk everywhere, and there's lots of public transportation, so there was never really a need for me to rush out and get my license.

 

[1LuckyMom]

I also have a DD who is reluctant to drive. She took the driver's ed. class and has her permit, but she is required to have 50 behind the wheel hours with us (10 at night) and she never wants to drive when we go anywhere! We have to tell her it is her turn to drive, she never volunteers as we go out the door. On the other hand DD age 13 can't wait to drive!

FYI: I did buy a magnet for the back of the car that said Student Driver on it and when she was first learning we used this and she felt that other dirvers gave her a little more room and understanding! She is more confident now and we don't use it anymore. I loved that I could take it off when I was driving.

 

[DawnCt1]

When I was 15, I went to get my learners permit on the first day I was eligible and I got my license on my 16th birthday. DS turned 15 in August. He took drivers ed this past summer, and got his drivers eligibility certificate in early August. WHen I bring up going to get his permit, he says he doesn't want it. He says he is not a good driver and is scared to drive. In our state, you can't get your license until you have a permit for a year, unless you are 18. So today we went down, but the office was packed. I am going to have to take him back next week and MAKE him take the test.

Anyone's else's kid feel this way?

If you can delay a teen getting their driver's license until they are 18 years old, you can reduce their risk of a fatal accident by 100%. When I got that information in a USAA publication years ago, we made 18 the "rule" not the norm. So far everyone has emerged from their teens in one piece. That said, I went to at least 4 teen driving funerals over the years. Never be in a rush to have a teen drive. It happens soon enough and there is enough to worry about.

 

[disney1990]

When I was 15, I went to get my learners permit on the first day I was eligible and I got my license on my 16th birthday. DS turned 15 in August. He took drivers ed this past summer, and got his drivers eligibility certificate in early August. WHen I bring up going to get his permit, he says he doesn't want it. He says he is not a good driver and is scared to drive. In our state, you can't get your license until you have a permit for a year, unless you are 18. So today we went down, but the office was packed. I am going to have to take him back next week and MAKE him take the test.

Anyone's else's kid feel this way?

I never encouraged my kids to drive early. Both of our DDs were 17 before they had a license. In the State of Maryland, you now need to be 16-1/2 before you can even get a provisional license.

 

[snoopybabe]

Please don't rush it. My son was 17 before he was interested in getting a permit. It just didn't interest him. He's now almost 21 & is a good driver, but also knows how to use public transportation and does too.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I didn't get my DL until I was almost 21....wasn't thrilled about it when I actually received a license.

My niece just got her license at 19 & my nephew also 19.

The longer they can do without a DL the safer they will be (IMHO).

 

[DawnCt1]

Please don't rush it. My son was 17 before he was interested in getting a permit. It just didn't interest him. He's now almost 21 & is a good driver, but also knows how to use public transportation and does too.

I agree.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

I got my permit ASAP- at 14 and 8 months here... and now I have my license... thing is.. I HATE driving, I have a fear of it..

I'm okay driving back and forth to school but I don't know my area well enough...

 

[DawnCt1]

I got my permit ASAP- at 14 and 8 months here... and now I have my license... thing is.. I HATE driving, I have a fear of it..

I'm okay driving back and forth to school but I don't know my area well enough...

Its okay NOT to drive until you feel more confident and enjoy it. Don't feel pressured to drive. Perhaps part of those feelings you are are the realization that it is a HUGE responsibility to not only yourself, your passengers but to those you share the road with. That's good! You take the task of driving seriously but don't feel you need to drive until you are really ready.

 

[Cindy B]

15 is so young. IN my state the minimum age is 17 with a strongly restricted license and 18 for a non restricted license.. .15 just seems so young-- maybe because I have a 15 year old!

My son isn't counting the days and hours because it is two whole years aways.

 

[Planogirl]

Our 16 year old has his Learner's Permit but isn't very eager to practice. I'm considering enrolling him in a driving course once his sports are over with next year. He'll have to start the 6 month provisional period over again but I want him confident before he heads out on the road on his own.

 

[MrsPete]

A couple people have asked, "Why worry about it? Let them mature a bit, save money on insurance, and so forth."

Here's the issue in my mind: If they put off learning to drive 'til they're 17 or 18, they'll go away to college with very little driving experience -- perhaps less than a year's experience. Chances are good that my girls'll choose colleges that're 2-4 hours away. I don't think they'll have cars as freshmen, but eventually they will drive to college; I know that my oldest will need a car by the time she's a junior so she can do student nursing. If they don't learn NOW while they're living in my house with me, when will they learn? I don't mean learning the basic-basics of how to turn the car on, which foot petal is the brake, etc. I mean, if they don't learn now, when will they have the opportunity for lots of practice time with a parent? I don't want one of their college friends supervising them in learning to drive. And I don't want a brand-new driver going back and forth on the interstate, driving in a new city (after dark), and so forth. I don't think the extra year of maturity will "make up for" the lack of experience and practice behind the wheel.

My oldest was VERY EXCITED to learn to drive, and I have no doubt that my youngest will follow her sister's lead. If they didn't feel this way, I'd push them. I want them to have LOTS of time to practice driving around town with me.

One unexpected benefit of being a teacher: My oldest is getting more driver's practice than her friends. She drives me to school every morning, drives me home every afternoon, drives us around for any afternoon errands. I didn't see this perk coming, but it is really helping my daughter. Her driving skills are progressing well -- better than most of her friends.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

Its okay NOT to drive until you feel more confident and enjoy it. Don't feel pressured to drive. Perhaps part of those feelings you are are the realization that it is a HUGE responsibility to not only yourself, your passengers but to those you share the road with. That's good! You take the task of driving seriously but don't feel you need to drive until you are really ready.

Thanks for this post

Like I said, I'm good driving back and forth from school, and I've done more advanced driving and I passed my test and all I just don't particularly feel comfortable doing any other route than my school route. I do drive other routes, too (to get to friend's houses, etc), it just stresses me out.

It's okay though, I'm young for my grade so I just have my friends drive if we go anywhere xD

 

[imabrat]

Don't push it! I didn't get my permit until 3 months after my 16th birthday, and even then I was such a nervous wreck I barely passed the test. Unlike most teens, I actually understand the risks and responsibilities behind operating a car. I'm 5'3 and drive my mom's massive mini-van, that along with the whacko's on the road is enough to lead me into a panic attack. Don't pressure him. I'm stubborn and if you push me to do something, 99% I'm going to worse than I would have without pressure.

And FWIW, I think I'm a fairly good driver. Cautious, but also a bit of a speed demon on the highways.

Thanks for this post

Like I said, I'm good driving back and forth from school, and I've done more advanced driving and I passed my test and all I just don't particularly feel comfortable doing any other route than my school route. I do drive other routes, too (to get to friend's houses, etc), it just stresses me out.

It's okay though, I'm young for my grade so I just have my friends drive if we go anywhere xD

Hey I know what you mean. Stop and go driving is NOT for me. It sends me into a nervous tailspin. Highway driving? Well let's just say on my second day I handled the car perfectly going 85 in a 65. I was so lucky there weren't any cops around.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

DD isn't in a rush to get her license either. I got my license when I was 14 and was ready to go go go. DD got her permit a little over a year ago. At first I was ready for her to drive, but like pp said, you save on the wallet in insurance. I also thought about it and she will drive when she's feeling more confident. I will feel better if she's confident and if that takes her practicing with me around town with her permit then I'm happy to do it.

 

[DisneyJules]

I personally didn't feel comfortable driving until I got my license at 18. I would say don't push it until he does feel the desire to drive. If my parents had pushed me to get it (which they didn't) I would have felt like a very nervous driver. I'm sure it won't be long before he'll feel the need to get his license, but let him decide on his own terms.

 

[AllisonK]

I just got my license last month (the day before Thanksgiving) and I'm 20 (I'll be 21 in April). I did fail my road test the first three times (the first two I just wasn't ready but the third time I think the examiner was having a bad day - even my driving instructor said I should have passed).

I did get my permit right away (well, about a week and a half after I turned 16) but just wasn't ready for my license until now. And I go to school 200 miles away in another state and didn't ever really need a car there. Would it have been helpful at sometime? Yes - especially this semester - I had two journalism classes that required off-campus reporting. I dealt with it, paid cab fares (but for one class I only did it for the required final project - I couldn't afford an extra $15 a week to write a story on top of what I was paying in train fares to get into NYC for my internship - it just wasn't feasible) and still got As in both classes. It can be done not driving but really having to get somewhere - if you want it done you'll make it happen.

And my parents never pushed me to get my license. I wanted it - but I was OK with not having it in high school - I really started to want it in the summer of 2008. I was diagnosed with an eye condition about 3 years ago that set me back a bit, but I did get it eventually. I don't have my own car, though - I share with my mother (and I've only driven by myself once since I've been home for break because of how much snow/rain we've gotten).

 

[golfgal]

Its okay NOT to drive until you feel more confident and enjoy it. Don't feel pressured to drive. Perhaps part of those feelings you are are the realization that it is a HUGE responsibility to not only yourself, your passengers but to those you share the road with. That's good! You take the task of driving seriously but don't feel you need to drive until you are really ready.

It would make more sense to drive MORE if you are not comfortable driving than driving less. The more experience you have, the more comfortable you will be. Now, you don't have to drive alone, bring a parent along to help if you need.

15 is so young. IN my state the minimum age is 17 with a strongly restricted license and 18 for a non restricted license.. .15 just seems so young-- maybe because I have a 15 year old!

My son isn't counting the days and hours because it is two whole years aways.

17 is to get your license, what about your permit? 15 is for the permit, not the license. In our state you can get a permit at 15 but can't get a license until 16 and that is a restricted license until 18.

A couple people have asked, "Why worry about it? Let them mature a bit, save money on insurance, and so forth."

Here's the issue in my mind: If they put off learning to drive 'til they're 17 or 18, they'll go away to college with very little driving experience -- perhaps less than a year's experience. Chances are good that my girls'll choose colleges that're 2-4 hours away. I don't think they'll have cars as freshmen, but eventually they will drive to college; I know that my oldest will need a car by the time she's a junior so she can do student nursing. If they don't learn NOW while they're living in my house with me, when will they learn? I don't mean learning the basic-basics of how to turn the car on, which foot petal is the brake, etc. I mean, if they don't learn now, when will they have the opportunity for lots of practice time with a parent? I don't want one of their college friends supervising them in learning to drive. And I don't want a brand-new driver going back and forth on the interstate, driving in a new city (after dark), and so forth. I don't think the extra year of maturity will "make up for" the lack of experience and practice behind the wheel.

My oldest was VERY EXCITED to learn to drive, and I have no doubt that my youngest will follow her sister's lead. If they didn't feel this way, I'd push them. I want them to have LOTS of time to practice driving around town with me.

One unexpected benefit of being a teacher: My oldest is getting more driver's practice than her friends. She drives me to school every morning, drives me home every afternoon, drives us around for any afternoon errands. I didn't see this perk coming, but it is really helping my daughter. Her driving skills are progressing well -- better than most of her friends.

I agree. Or worse yet, they drive for the summer before college and then not at all IN college, maybe drive a bit over the summer again and again go off to school and not drive. THEN they are expected to go off into the adult world, drive in rush hour traffic with less then a years experience??

A FIRST YEAR driver is at most risk for accidents-it doesn't matter if they are 16 or 22, they are still a first year driver with little driving experience. As for insurance, you are still going to get dinged for being a FIRST YEAR driver (inexperienced driver) no matter if you are 16 or 22.