Teen with provisional license driving friend to school?

[Anonymous]

I kind of think the answer is “don’t do it” but for those with experience, would you let your kid with a provisional license drive a friend to and from school?

[Anonymous]

Depends. How far away is the school and are there any tricky intersections or other driving hazards?

If there's something tricky, like that dangerous left across River Road, I'd say no.

[Anonymous]

As long as you don’t bitch if he gets caught and there are consequences, sure

[Anonymous]

It is tempting and we've been in the situation before where we were tempted (it was a one-off when 2 kids on the same team needed to get to a practice game and none of us parents could drive them) but we ultimately didn't do it. What happens if there is an accident? It isn't worth it. The repercussions/consequences for the kid/s are too high.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Nope--I'm assuming the terms of the provisional license prohibit driving others unless there's a licensed driver with X years experience in the car? If there's an accident, your insurance is going to raise holy hell. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt do it for safety reasons let alone legal/insurance reasons

[Anonymous]

No - what is wrong with you people? Can’t follow the most basic of rules. Also if there’s an accident and the other kid is seriously injured or dies - there goes your life savings. Also then your kid can live with that so - yeah maybe not your best choice.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. Not only because of how easy it is to be distracted by your friend, but also, COVID!

How come nobody on this board seems to think getting Covid is a risk?! You all brag about being so smart and educated and then do all these stupid things.

[Anonymous]

It's not worth the risk, OP. Assuming provisional is a junior license with all the restrictions, gotta wait it out for full unrestricted.

[Anonymous]

Kids get in accidents during that first year they have their license.

Also, the reason kids don't drive kids (besides the above) is that passengers who are kids talk and distract the driver.

My DD was in a car accident during the first months of school last year, and I found myself in a bind with her getting to school, and sort of looked the other way when my DD arranged for her friend to drive her. He actually ended up hitting another car and driving away, while my DD was saying "you need to stop! you need to stop!" and he didn't.

Anyways that's a longer story not relevant here, but my point is, it's a bad idea for a few different reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope--I'm assuming the terms of the provisional license prohibit driving others unless there's a licensed driver with X years experience in the car? If there's an accident, your insurance is going to raise holy hell. Not worth it.

Exactly this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No - what is wrong with you people? Can’t follow the most basic of rules. Also if there’s an accident and the other kid is seriously injured or dies - there goes your life savings. Also then your kid can live with that so - yeah maybe not your best choice.

Yeah, this isn’t true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope--I'm assuming the terms of the provisional license prohibit driving others unless there's a licensed driver with X years experience in the car? If there's an accident, your insurance is going to raise holy hell. Not worth it.

Exactly this.

In VA, "If you are under age 18, you may carry only one (non-family) passenger under age 21, unless accompanied by a licensed parent, or other adult acting in place of a parent, in the front passenger seat." (cited from the DMV website, addition in parentheses mine to clarify). So it would be legal. Whether or not it's advisable is a different story, and for me would depend on a number of factors including the route driven, my kids' driving skills, the friend in question, and COVID concerns.