I Didn't Have to Drive DD15 to School Today!!

[DVCLiz]

Aaaah - it's pouring rain and cold but I am still in my nightgown because
DD15's friend who lives around the corner got her driver's license this week!!! She told DD15 it was "boring" to drive alone and she would be glad to give
DD15 rides to school every day.

Can it be? Did I just drive my last school run yesterday?? I've been driving someone to school since DD21 was in preschool!

I gave DD15 twenty bucks and told her to treat her friend to Chick-Fil-A - they were headed there before school. I'll toss in another twenty every couple of weeks for some extra gas money.

And, thirty days from today (we hope!!) I'll have a DD16 who has her own driver's license and will be driving herself to school.

This is one era I'm happy to see end - I knew it would be convenient not to have to do the actual driving but I didnt realize how much I would like the staying in my pajamas longer part of it!!

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Aaaah - it's pouring rain
DD15's friend who lives around the corner got her driver's license this week!!!

You are much braver than I am!

I did not have to drive DD, 14 today. No school, Veteran's Day!

Enjoy your rainy morning in your PJ's!

 

[Christine]

You are brave!!! I was always extremely nervous about my kid riding with a newly licensed driver. I also didn't let her drive anyone for awhile either due to the distractions.

Sorry, don't mean to rain on your parade. That was just always such a big worry of mine.

 

[mjkacmom]

We don't get licenses here until 17! I'm dreading it, actually - I'm so not a nervous mom, but that scares me! Dd13 walks to middle school, and will be walking to the HS. If I drive, I certainly don't get dressed!

 

[DVCLiz]

You are much braver than I am!

I did not have to drive DD, 14 today. No school, Veteran's Day!

Enjoy your rainy morning in your PJ's!

This particular friend has been driving for a long time - she has some family property in the country and all the kids in her family have practiced driving on that land for years. I noticed when we were behind her in line at a fast food restaurant one day how much more skill she had than my own daughter, even though they took driver's ed at the same time and will get their licenses within a month of each other.

I go on a case by case basis but it's time to let DD15 and her friends have the independence of driving themselves, and the NC laws restrict non-family members that can be driven by a new driver, so I know DD15 won't be in a car with a new driver AND a group of girls crammed into the back seat.

 

[mckryan]

In GA, new drivers can't have anyone in their car, except family, for the first six months.

 

[DVCLiz]

In GA, new drivers can't have anyone in their car, except family, for the first six months.

NC allows one non family member for the first six months. Also, no driving after 9 pm for the first six months.

I really, really like the graduated driving laws - I think they are safer and they really help parents get used to the idea that their teen is driving!!

 

[mckryan]

Interesting how laws are different from state to state. They are allowed to drive until midnight here until they are 18.

 

[Christine]

This particular friend has been driving for a long time - she has some family property in the country and all the kids in her family have practiced driving on that land for years. I noticed when we were behind her in line at a fast food restaurant one day how much more skill she had than my own daughter, even though they took driver's ed at the same time and will get their licenses within a month of each other.

I go on a case by case basis but it's time to let DD15 and her friends have the independence of driving themselves, and the NC laws restrict non-family members that can be driven by a new driver, so I know DD15 won't be in a car with a new driver AND a group of girls crammed into the back seat.

I understand. I was that way also for the most part. I didn't really let my DD get in the car with a new driver except for ONE friend. He is SUCH a responsible kid, still is, and a great and careful driver. I would let her go with him. Even then, though, I still got nervous because, let's face it--they are still very inexperienced. We also live in a highly urban area--lots of traffic, high speeds, aggressive drivers and that played a big part in my nervousness.

Sort of off this topic but yesterday I was picking my son up from school. He is in the 9th grade and since his school is new, it only goes up to 11th grade (no seniors yet). There are very few kids driving to school as many of the juniors aren't licensed yet. Oh, but there was one yesterday. I watched him absolutely RIP out of the parking lot. Speed limit is 15 mph, he HAD to be going at least 40 mph in these small lanes and a traffic circle. I watched him speed up the road. I couldn't really believe it. I felt like I should have taken down his tag number and gone into the principal about it. Actually, I know I should have. That type of driving in teens really bothers me.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

FL has restrictions on 16 year olds too. Though I wish they could not drive until 17 or so! DD will be 15 next year and will be able to get her permit and then take Drivers Ed.

I did not allow DS to ride with friends until they had their license 6 months and had not got a ticket. (easy to look up online). Even then it was a case by case decision. 2 of his friends had wrecks and totaled cars in the first 6 months! Another had a couple fender benders. None of them were hurt though.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Congrats to you! My neighbor drove me to school. I was so thankful because I was the youngest in the class and had no desire to be the only sophomore on the bus!! We always got there safe!!

 

[cruisnfamily]

FL has restrictions on 16 year olds too. Though I wish they could not drive until 17 or so! DD will be 15 next year and will be able to get her permit and then take Drivers Ed.

I did not allow DS to ride with friends until they had their license 6 months and had not got a ticket. (easy to look up online). Even then it was a case by case decision. 2 of his friends had wrecks and totaled cars in the first 6 months! Another had a couple fender benders. None of them were hurt though.

How do you do this?

 

[Wonderlandmom]

How do you do this?

It is our county clerk of courts site. I don't know that all counties do this. I put in the name, find the cases, see the dockets, outcomes, costs, etc.

 

[DVCLiz]

My usual routine is to make each of DD's friends drive me to the Sonic - I treat everybody to a drink of their choice, I get to see how the driver does, and everyone is happy. These are only for DD's closest friends, though - the ones I know she will be driving with the most. For others who might be "unknown" - ie the sophmore who offered to drive her home from the cast party the other night - I rely on DD to judge and tell me. Both of my daughters have been pretty responsible about making decisions about other drivers - they both have pointed out people they wouldn't get in a car with "because they drive like maniacs, Mom."

It's a tricky time for sure - there was a time I never thought my oldest daughter would drive down our driveway and now, 5 years later, she is back and forth on the interstate to school, etc all the time. I know that will happen for my youngest, too - I just have to let her practice and practice and then take the chance. I'm glad this is my last driver, though - I'm getting older and my nerves probably couldn't stand a third go-round!!

 

[brittanyherndon]

NC allows one non family member for the first six months. Also, no driving after 9 pm for the first six months.

I really, really like the graduated driving laws - I think they are safer and they really help parents get used to the idea that their teen is driving!!

what if it is after 9 when ur new driver gets off work

 

[DVCLiz]

what if it is after 9 when ur new driver gets off work

I think there might be an exception for a job, but most parents I know just wouldn't let their kids drive at night for those six months if it meant they couldn't legally get themselves home again. I'm sure some kids do it anyway.

If you have your license for 6 months and you have a clean record, you can go to the DMV and get the nine o'clcok restriction taken off. Most kids are as happy when that happens as they were the day they got their license. And it's a big relief for the parents, too!!

If you do get caught, the six months starts over again. If you get caught a second time I think they take your license.

Anyway, we are all about following the rules while driving so DD won't be allowed to drive herself anywhere at night if she can't get home by 9pm.

 

[disney1990]

Aaaah - it's pouring rain and cold but I am still in my nightgown because
DD15's friend who lives around the corner got her driver's license this week!!! She told DD15 it was "boring" to drive alone and she would be glad to give
DD15 rides to school every day.

Can it be? Did I just drive my last school run yesterday?? I've been driving someone to school since DD21 was in preschool!

I gave DD15 twenty bucks and told her to treat her friend to Chick-Fil-A - they were headed there before school. I'll toss in another twenty every couple of weeks for some extra gas money.

And, thirty days from today (we hope!!) I'll have a DD16 who has her own driver's license and will be driving herself to school.

This is one era I'm happy to see end - I knew it would be convenient not to have to do the actual driving but I didnt realize how much I would like the staying in my pajamas longer part of it!!

You are indeed braver than I ever way. My children were not allowed in a car with a person that had not held their license for at least 1 year. I would not even allow my younger daughter to ride in the car with her sister.

 

[C.Ann]

 

[DVCLiz]

You are indeed braver than I ever way. My children were not allowed in a car with a person that had not held their license for at least 1 year. I would not even allow my younger daughter to ride in the car with her sister.

I totally repsect your right to make your own decisions, but I would never be like that. I don't think it's a question of "bravery", but of assessing the real risk versus the imagined "anything could happen." I wouldn't ever choose that kind of restrictive fear environment for my children.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Boy I envy you. My youngest is in 2nd grade. We are also waiting anxiously for the phone call to start "in car." I will be so glad when my DS15 starts driving.

Enjoy your day inside. It was nasty out there. I had to tell my DD13 to stop talking to me on Friendly Rd. so I could concentrate. I couldn't think to drive. She was rambling on and on and on! I believe the rain is starting to let up.