Is your 14yo taking driving lessons or practicing driving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 15 year old and know a lot of kids in the DMV who have learned to drive. No one is learning to drive or getting lessons at 14. I've known people where there is extended family in some square state and maybe they've driven around a property in that setting. But that's it.

dH has been taking DD to drive at churches and mall parking lots in Northern Virginia since she was 14.

Many worse things she could be doing. 🙄

Which is illegal. I have a 19 and 14 year old and no one in any of our overlapping circles has done that with their kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. We are in the DMV but I did not realize there are places that will give lessons to teens before they receive their permits. I hadn’t really looked much into this because as I mentioned, I never pre-planned as a teen back then.

I’m curious if things changed when high schools stopped offering drivers Ed as a course?

I do think the confusion is that kids can take the classroom course before they have their permits, but no driving school is going to let them drive in a car until they have the permit. It's probably a waste of time and money to take any driving course until she's close to the age where she can get her permit (15 years 9 months in Maryland, 15 years 6 months in Virginia, 16 years in DC).

[Anonymous]

DS tells me about specific kids whose parents let them drive early and on the road. I don’t think he’s lying. I said we could go to an empty parking lot of something but that’s it until he has a permit.

[Anonymous]

She can’t even drive a tractor at 14. She can drive personal golf cart or mower on your private property, though - have at it!

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that your unpermitted driver is not covered by insurance, even in a parking lot. Sure you could lie and say you were driving the car, but that is fraud.

[Anonymous]

You can learn to fly and get your pilots license when you are 14... all legal!

[Anonymous]

We are an anomaly. Family owns a lot of land so our kids have been driving since like age 10. They also have been driving golf carts at relatives and our second houses. And we have an acre of land in the DMV so a riding lawnmower. I don’t know any kids who drove before 15 years and 9 months besides kids whose families owned a lot of land. Our friends kids drove our golf carts and riding mower from a young age. But not cars. That was only for family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an almost 15 year old and know a lot of kids in the DMV who have learned to drive. No one is learning to drive or getting lessons at 14. I've known people where there is extended family in some square state and maybe they've driven around a property in that setting. But that's it.

dH has been taking DD to drive at churches and mall parking lots in Northern Virginia since she was 14.

Wow. Aside from being illegal, that is completely moronic. If even the smallest thing happened or someone even falsely accused you of something, your liability would be through the roof.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS tells me about specific kids whose parents let them drive early and on the road. I don’t think he’s lying. I said we could go to an empty parking lot of something but that’s it until he has a permit.

He’s exaggerating of course. No sane parent is letting a 14 year old drive on roads without a permit. I’d be strongly encouraging him to get new friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since when can 14-year-olds legally drive in this area?!

When they are 15 and 9 months with a permit and supervision.

This. They are not allowed to drive without a drivers permit. A permit can only be obtained by taking the test and passing. The test can only be taken after 15 in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. We are in the DMV but I did not realize there are places that will give lessons to teens before they receive their permits. I hadn’t really looked much into this because as I mentioned, I never pre-planned as a teen back then.

I’m curious if things changed when high schools stopped offering drivers Ed as a course?

I do think the confusion is that kids can take the classroom course before they have their permits, but no driving school is going to let them drive in a car until they have the permit. It's probably a waste of time and money to take any driving course until she's close to the age where she can get her permit (15 years 9 months in Maryland, 15 years 6 months in Virginia, 16 years in DC).

You can’t even get a permit in DC until 16? Wow. I actually think it should be like this everywhere. I’m in a state where they can start at 14 yrs 8 months and I think it’s WAY too early.

[Anonymous]

My son is 15 and almost old enough for a permit. We don’t know one kid who is practicing to drive without a permit. A few of my son’s friends got permits this summer so assuming they are practicing and will get their license at age 16.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS tells me about specific kids whose parents let them drive early and on the road. I don’t think he’s lying. I said we could go to an empty parking lot of something but that’s it until he has a permit.

He’s exaggerating of course. No sane parent is letting a 14 year old drive on roads without a permit. I’d be strongly encouraging him to get new friends.

What kind of irresponsible parent is teaching their 14yo to drive???

[Anonymous]

I was advised to start driving lessons after 16 and not buy kid their own car until college. I felt it really helped with ensuring safety and avoiding stress.

[Anonymous]

No. I live in NY where the driving age is 17. Even still, I know so many 16 and 17 year olds who have not started the process yet. I think that's more of the trend happening.