OT: At what age, would you let a teenager drive a younger sibling

[jcf]

I need parents points of view here...to me I have a problem with even an 18 yr old...

 

[CarolAnnC]

We have our Community Board where topics of varying subjects are allowed. Since this is not DVC related, I am moving it over there. thank you...

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think it depends on the teen. My son is 17 and I let him drive his brother (8) short distances.

 

[photobob]

Our hard and fast rule has always been that we would not let a child ride with a teenager until they had been driving at least six months.

 

[clh2]

You'll probably get many opinions on this topic.

My DD is 16, and has had her license almost a year. I would have been comfortable with her taking a sibling since the day she had recieved her license. DD, however, is an "only" child, so no siblings.

We did let DD start driving 1 friend when she had her license for about 2 months. (They were taking a lifeguard class.) So - they weren't out "out for a drive". We only let DD use the care for a specific purpose. (i.e. school, work, practice, church.) Driving siblings would have definitely counted as a "specific purpose."

Now - the advantage of a sibling in the car - they can be your "extra set of eyes!" They WILL let you know when the driver makes mistakes!!!

DD is off her graduated license restrictions (per Wisconsin's rules) so now she can have more than 1 person in the car at a time.

 

[princessmom29]

depends on the kid. I was driving my sister when I was 17. It would also depend in the relationship between the teen and thier sibling. If they fight a lot, then it may lead to problems in the car. If they get along, andthe teen is a sfe driver I don't see a problem. If you are allowing them to drive with others in the car, I don't see why thier sibling should be exempt from that.

 

[newbie2disney]

I think a lot depends on where you live. We live in a smaller community (pop. 5,000) and DS17 has been giving DD14 rides since he got his license at 16. He had a school permit at 15, so he had a year of driving experience first. DD now has her school permit (you only have to be 14 in Iowa) and drives to school daily and to school events. Sometimes DS rides along with DD to save HIS gas. We live just over a mile from the school, which makes a difference in letting DS ride along with DD.

 

[luvmy3]

There really isn't a magic age, it will depend on each driver. I know I won't be letting a newly licensed driver drive his/her siblings around, and thats for both of their safety.

 

[zurgswife]

I have 3 teen drivers 19, 18, 17 and they have a younger sibling 13. So when the oldest started to drive the youngerst was 10. For the first 4 months of driving my kids were only allowed to drive siblings no one else.

 

[jcf]

While 6 months seems like a short time...but I like that if something isn't right I will find out...I could see them arguing in the car...

Thks

 

[Bi-winning]

Six months is a good amount of time. Of course, I would take it case by case, but if the child is responsible, that is a good starting point.

 

[kacaju]

My dd is 17 Oct Brthday (you have to be 17 in NJ to get your license) She is only allowed one person in the car at any time right now. She has been taking her sister (15) home from school since Oct. They go in at different times so I drive the 15 year old in the morning. She has taken each of her siblings to 4-H (1/2 hour away on a major Highway) after driving for a month.

I have only just started letting her drive a friend.

 

[disfan07]

My brother was a senior when I was a freshman so he drove me to school. So he was 17 (like very new 17...his bday is in august) and I was 14.

At 17 I was driving around kids that I am not related to for babysitting so obviously if I had a younger sibling I would have been driving them around at about 17 as well.

And we lived in Fairfax County, VA which is definitely NOT a small town by any strecthc of the imagination.

 

[MushyMushy]

My son didn't get his license until he was a few months over 17. He'd done a TON of maturing between 16 and then, so at 16 I probably wouldn't have let him drive too much by himself, let alone with his sister. By the time he did get his license, yes, I was more than fine with him driving his sister places.

 

[MichelleVW]

I let my oldest drive with her sister as soon as she got her license at 16. If I trusted her behind the wheel, why wouldn't I trust her with her sister in the car.

 

[jngwright]

I am a driving instructor and I agree that it completely depends on the student. There are some kids who are extremely mature and able to handle the responsibility and others who frighten the heck out of me. The idea of some of them driving on their own....

That said-did your student have a lot of practice? That is so important. The more practice the student had (not just the minimum required by the State) the better driver they are.

Good luck with your decision-it is scary to see any of your "babies" drive off in a car

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

In IN, we have a graduated driving program (rules) at 16, you aren't allowed ANY passengers under 18 at 17, you can drive someone under 18, during daylight hours providing they are an immediate family member. At 18, there are no restrictions.

Now if they'd only enforce it...

To answer your question, I see no problem with a 17 yr old driving a sibling around. 16 if they were responsible AND if it wasn't against the rules.

 

[Luv'sTink]

In WA. State we have specific laws for teen drivers and who they can drive with in the car...........

Special rules for teen drivers
When you get a driver license, you must follow some special rules and restrictions. These rules are in place to help protect teen drivers from accidents and help them develop and improve skills in the safest way.

If you’re under 18, you’ll be issued an intermediate driver license and must follow these special rules:
Passengers:
For the first 6 months, you can’t drive with passengers under the age of 20 unless they’re members of your immediate family (such as a spouse, child, stepchild, or siblings, both by birth and marriage).
For the next 6 months, you can’t carry more than 3 passengers who are under 20 years old and aren’t members of your immediate family.
Nighttime driving:
For the first 12 months, you can’t drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you’re with a licensed driver age 25 or older. The only exception to this rule is driving for agricultural purposes (transporting farm products or supplies under the direction of a farmer as described in RCW 46.20.070).
Cell phones:
You aren’t permitted to use wireless devices while driving, even with a hands-free device. This includes talking on cell phones and sending or receiving text messages. You may only use a wireless device to report an emergency.
How long these restrictions apply
After 1 year of following these rules and driving without a collision or traffic citation, you can drive without limitations to the time of day or passengers you can carry. When you turn 18, these special rules no longer apply and your intermediate driver license automatically becomes a regular license.

Penalties for driving violations and accidents
First violation: The passenger and nighttime restrictions will be extended until you’re 18 and we’ll send a warning letter to you and your parent or guardian if you do any of the following:
Get a ticket for violating the restrictions.
Get a ticket for violating a rule of the road.
Are involved in an accident where:
You get a ticket or are determined to have caused the accident.
No one involved in the accident receives a ticket.
The cause of the accident can’t be determined.
Only your car was involved in the accident.
Second violation: Your license will be suspended for 6 months (or until age 18, whichever comes first). We’ll notify you and your parent or guardian before we take any suspension action.
Third violation: Your license will be suspended until you’re 18. We’ll notify you and your parent or guardian before we take any suspension action.


Warning letters and penalties until age 18
Once you’ve driven safely for 1 year without a driving violation or accident, the passenger and nighttime driving restrictions expire and won’t be reinstated. However, if you’re under 18, you’re still subject to receiving the warning letter and license suspension penalties.

Frequently asked questions
Do I have to get a new license when I turn 18?
No. When a driver reaches age 18, the intermediate driver license automatically becomes a regular driver license and the special rules no longer apply.

How do police enforce the rules and restrictions on teen drivers?
Police enforce the restrictions of an intermediate driver license as a “secondary action.” This means that if a teen driver is stopped for a traffic offense, the officer can cite the driver for any violations of intermediate license restrictions.

If I have a drug or alcohol-related offense or Minor in Possession (MIP), can I get my intermediate license?
You can’t get a driver license until you’re 18 years old if you’re convicted of any of the following offenses while you have an instruction permit:
Driving under the influence (RCW 46.61.502)
Physical control of vehicle under the influence (RCW 46.61.504)
Driver under 21 consuming alcohol (RCW 46.61.503)
Alcohol or drug violations (RCW 46.20.265)
If I have a license from another state, do the special rules of an intermediate license apply to me?
Yes. A teen with a valid out-of-state license must get an intermediate license and meet all the same requirements.

 

[Pooh Crew]

Our oldest is 21 now and is a very safe driver--one ticket and no accidents. However, she has never driven our other children. There has just never been a need for her to do so.

In the beginning, I admit I worried that if something happened while she was driving and one of her siblings was badly hurt or worse, how would she ever deal with causing that? And then, as time went on, her driving them never came up. Now she's off at college and not around to drive them.

 

[disykat]

I let my oldest drive with her sister as soon as she got her license at 16. If I trusted her behind the wheel, why wouldn't I trust her with her sister in the car.

This is the way I felt. I was actually thrilled when the first thing my newly licenced 16 year old asked was if he could take his 13 year old brother to the store. I was happy he could share his first "solo" drive with someone.