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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Does your teen drive it? Alone?

I glanced over at the car next to me yesterday during a period of traffic congestion and was surprised to see a teenager driving a Tesla. The kid was talking animatedly and laughing, so I’m guessing also on the phone.

I’m used to the middle aged men and women driving Teslas all around DC, but a teen behind the wheel surprised me! Obviously, we are not a Tesla family so maybe I’m just behind the times? :)[/quote]

I have seen teens driving Teslas as well. We have teslas and will get a different car for our teen once they drive. Teslas are very heavy, have insane acceleration even in “chill” mode, and the controls are so different from other cars. I like some features for teens - the tracking, ability to cap max speed, safety profile. But it just doesn’t drive like a “normal” car.  And I think it would be a big adjustment to drive an outback around after driving a Tesla around. The braking alone is so different. I would worry that they would get so used to the regenerative braking that they could rear end someone. It’s probably my bias, but I think it’s better to learn on a conventional car first before learning to drive a Tesla. Once my teen learns to drive well, I will eventually teach them on the Tesla, but it won’t be their primary vehicle. [/quote]

We made our learn on both the Tesla and the ICE.  FWIW, the driving schools all use ICE cars, so they will get practice in those, as well.  They may just look confused when they are given an old school key and told to put it in the ignition.  Even our non-electrics are push-button.  :)  I definitely thought the Tesla would be harder or more confusing, but my teen was a better and more comfortable driver in the chill-mode Tesla (I think we have different braking options in our profiles, as well).  I went into driving lessons thinking the Tesla would be a bad fit, but changed my tune over time.  We don't switch cars around that much, so it's not a problem going to the ICE cars.......except I will always turn on the wipers by accident in the Tesla when I first get in (IYKYK).[/quote]

Thanks that is good info for me. Just confirms that I am biased because I spent most of my life driving an ICE honda accord, so that is my comfort zone! We have the models with the steering yoke and no levers for turn signal, wipers, even shifting gears, so that is also an issue - would rather have them learn with a normal steering wheel and controls. I think we can buy a regular wheel but not sure about the turn signal etc. I do like that you can cap the speed, track, and adjust braking and acceleration profile though. And the app will alert if they come close to the max speed. [/quote]

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