Two new teen drivers

[golfgal]

Our twins passed their driver's license tests this morning. They are pretty excited. I am happy, for the most part too. It's a little nerve wracking though.

Not looking forward to the added insurance costs though . Now we have to start looking for a 3rd car.

 

[Christine]

I hear you!

My son started driving alone last Monday. He drove himself to his piano lesson and then, over the weekend, drove about 8 miles away to a friend's house to work on a project. He was just thrilled over it. I'm still getting used to it.

 

[golfgal]

I hear you!

My son started driving alone last Monday. He drove himself to his piano lesson and then, over the weekend, drove about 8 miles away to a friend's house to work on a project. He was just thrilled over it. I'm still getting used to it.

DD16 already has 3 requests in for using the car this week My biggest fear is the school parking lot. They have to wait to leave school until most of the kids are gone. They start golf practice today so that won't be too much of an issue. With our oldest and now with our twins, they have to send us a text when they leave and arrive places for a while. The are NOT allowed to have the radio on at all, too distracting switching stations, etc. Our state has limitations on how many kids they can drive, etc. so that helps too.

 

[shortbun]

Mine just got his permit. Good luck with two new drivers. Yeah, your insurance is going to go up, up, up!

 

[mamacatnv]

Ugh....high school parking lots are the worst!
Its a double edge, finally they can get themselves to and from their activities but they are out there behind the wheel all by themselves

 

[golfgal]

Mine just got his permit. Good luck with two new drivers. Yeah, your insurance is going to go up, up, up!

When our oldest got his license he only added about $60/month to our policy because we had 3 drivers and 2 cars. Now one of the twins will be rated as primary on a car when we get our third car, whenever that will be and that will be about $120/month or so more. With our oldest off to college we haven't had to have him rated on our policy since August so that has been nice.

 

[njmom47]

Yup, we had 2 new drivers within 14 months. Our insurance went up about $30 a month for each. They don't have new cars at all (2000 and 2002). When they got their license/cars, that's when they started working, so that was like 2 steps into adulthood at the same time. Makes ya sad but proud.

 

[Hannathy]

yeah! Now when they need poster board at 10 at night you don't have to get dressed again.

Good luck finding a used car they are pretty hard to find right now.

That is funny 3 requests already! thought the boy was supposed to want to drive more? he better get moving, or there won't be any slots left. lol.

Yes driving to school is the most nerve wracking, I wasn't nervous anywhere else.

 

[golfgal]

Sending DS16 on his first errand to the grocery store

 

[Hannathy]

Sending DS16 on his first errand to the grocery store

Yeah!! I remember the first time I made my DD go pick up her brother at something. It was wonderful!

 

[MrsPete]

My biggest fear is the school parking lot.

That is a very realistic fear. So many kids are in too big a hurry to get out of the school lot, so many are carting around whole carloads of distracting friends, and so many are just trying to show off for other people in the parking lot. Oh, and don't forget that every kid in school walks out the door texting -- I'd be surprised if they all stopped before driving off the lot. I understand that it's quite the social scene, but it's a dangerous place. In our parking lot and within 2-3 miles of school we have fender-benders CONSTANTLY just after school.

 

[MrsPete]

Oops -- double post.

 

[golfgal]

That is a very realistic fear. So many kids are in too big a hurry to get out of the school lot, so many are carting around whole carloads of distracting friends, and so many are just trying to show off for other people in the parking lot. And don't forget checking all their text messages as they leave. I understand that it's quite the social scene, but it's a dangerous place. In our parking lot and within 2-3 miles of school we have fender-benders CONSTANTLY just after school.

I don't like driving in the school parking lot even . If I have to pick the kids up I always tell them I will be there about 10 minutes after school gets out

 

[MrsPete]

I don't like driving in the school parking lot even . If I have to pick the kids up I always tell them I will be there about 10 minutes after school gets out

On the plus side: At our school, the seniors get the parking places up close to the building and underclassmen (less experienced drivers) are forced to park farther away. I didn't realize that this is actually very good for the younger drivers until my own daughter started driving to school -- and was forced to park waaaaaay away from the building. By the time the younger drivers can reach their cars, the line to get out has already formed, so they tend to stand around and talk a bit rather than get into the line and waste their gas. By waiting 'til the worst of the traffic clears, they're decreasing their chances of being in an accident.

Of course, now my daughter is able to park on the very front row . . . but she's also a more experienced driver, and I trust her more than I did a year ago. (Knock on wood.)

 

[AnnaS]

I wish you all the best. I sure know the feeling. My youngest, now 18 dd, started driving a year ago and I worry every time she gets in the car. I know it took a long time too with my sons. It will get better - I know

 

[NewCrew42]

My son turns 16 in May. Right now, I let him drive to school, with me
in the car of course, but I haven't let him drive after school. After school just seems so much crazier.

 

[Gina]

My DS just got his learner's permit last week. Somehow I blinked, and we went from Barney and Thomas the Tank Engine, to electric guitars and driving! I don't know how it happened!!

 

[PlutoPony]

My son got his license and started driving to school a couple weeks ago. Not so much worried about the parking lot after school as he has to stay every day for track practice (the real rationale for him driving). My concern is the drive to school as I don't want him caught up in the last minute rush of drivers getting to school just before the bell - especially since it's dark when he leaves and rush hour to boot. Our rule is that he has to leave home by a certain time, which puts him well ahead of the rush. And if he start pushing that time and leaving much later,he's back to the bus.

One morning he left just before a major thunderstorm hit. That was exciting . We saw it coming on radar and he scooted out the door just in time, the downpour started when he hit the parking lot thank goodness.

 

[kathmzh]

My DS just got his learner's permit last week. Somehow I blinked, and we went from Barney and Thomas the Tank Engine, to electric guitars and driving! I don't know how it happened!!

So true! It truly was in the blink of an eye. My 16-year-old DS has his permit and I am just paralyzed with fear...every Monday around here you hear about another accident involving teenagers....

 

[golfgal]

My son got his license and started driving to school a couple weeks ago. Not so much worried about the parking lot after school as he has to stay every day for track practice (the real rationale for him driving). My concern is the drive to school as I don't want him caught up in the last minute rush of drivers getting to school just before the bell - especially since it's dark when he leaves and rush hour to boot. Our rule is that he has to leave home by a certain time, which puts him well ahead of the rush. And if he start pushing that time and leaving much later,he's back to the bus.

One morning he left just before a major thunderstorm hit. That was exciting . We saw it coming on radar and he scooted out the door just in time, the downpour started when he hit the parking lot thank goodness.

Our kids are in the habit of leaving about 30 minutes before school starts (only takes maybe 5 minutes to drive to school). They like hanging out with their friends before school so that helps. I hate the school parking lot . It still isn't quite as bad as the carpool lanes for elementary and middle school though .