We have five kids. Our older kids always drove the younger ones around. They each had a car. Because we generously provided a car to them at no cost, we expected them to help out with transportation when necessary. I would let him get used to driving by himself for several months. After that, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all.

It totally depends on how difficult the drive is. Highways? Major arteries? Neighborhood streets? 45 minutes or 10 minutes? How heavy is the traffic?

If it's on the easier end of these, I would do it pretty much right away, unless the weather is awful that day. If on the harder end, wait a couple of months.

The biggest factor in 16-year-old crashes is them being distracted, usually by friends in the car, so you say no other riders (which at least in MD is the law for the first five months anyway, no radio, no chatter).

The day my 18-year-old got his license, his first "solo" drive was to Chipotle, with his younger brother. They did fine.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP here one more time. I really don't mean to be that poster that adds crazy new info, but let me add some other info. My father was killed, on a bike, by a driver who was distracted by a young kid in the car and drifted out if their lane. This honestly didn't occur to me unto
I imagined talking to my brother about dd driving his kids. It might be coloring my opinion. But I still think I'm right!

If you are right and basically just looking for excuses to give your husband, then shame on you. Your mind is set.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP here one more time. I really don't mean to be that poster that adds crazy new info, but let me add some other info. My father was killed, on a bike, by a driver who was distracted by a young kid in the car and drifted out if their lane. This honestly didn't occur to me unto
I imagined talking to my brother about dd driving his kids. It might be coloring my opinion. But I still think I'm right!

Maybe you need therapy?

Oh, OP here one more time. I really don't mean to be that poster that adds crazy new info, but let me add some other info. My father was killed, on a bike, by a driver who was distracted by a young kid in the car and drifted out if their lane. This honestly didn't occur to me unto
I imagined talking to my brother about dd driving his kids. It might be coloring my opinion. But I still think I'm right!

Anonymous wrote:OP, flash forward to your first grader being 16. Your SIL or BIL is lamenting that no one can drive their first grader to soccer practice on Tuesdays since their nanny quit. You respond that your uber responsible 16 year old will drive since he/she has been looking for some service hours for school. Your SIL or BIL responds with the same hesitation that you have. Are you offended? Confused? Hurt? Or do you take the no nonsense view that even *your* child is a danger on the road?

No question. I don't think driving young kids is a great job for any newly licensed driver. I can't imagine offering, much less being insulted if I was turned down. Again, it's hard to honestly put myself in the shoes of the parent of a teen, but if my teen came to me asking this, I really think I'd say it was not a good idea. Get six months to a year of clean driving under your belt, then you can call yourself a responsible driver.

OP, flash forward to your first grader being 16. Your SIL or BIL is lamenting that no one can drive their first grader to soccer practice on Tuesdays since their nanny quit. You respond that your uber responsible 16 year old will drive since he/she has been looking for some service hours for school. Your SIL or BIL responds with the same hesitation that you have. Are you offended? Confused? Hurt? Or do you take the no nonsense view that even *your* child is a danger on the road?

I would wait 6 months to a year except in case of emergency. I would want more experience first.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Argh, says the OP. Who knew this could possibley turn into a stepmom issue? Seriously, I have no concerns about my relationship with dss. Much more interested on people's thoughts about letting brand new drivers drive their young kids around. Knowing the stats, I don't think my concerns are so out there.

Lets start with honesty, shall we? That's not your concern.

OP here. I'm honestly baffled. What else would my concern be? Unless you are drunk, no one has a higher risk of crashing than a 16 year old male who just got his license.

Anonymous wrote:Argh, says the OP. Who knew this could possibley turn into a stepmom issue? Seriously, I have no concerns about my relationship with dss. Much more interested on people's thoughts about letting brand new drivers drive their young kids around. Knowing the stats, I don't think my concerns are so out there.

Lets start with honesty, shall we? That's not your concern.

Argh, says the OP. Who knew this could possibley turn into a stepmom issue? Seriously, I have no concerns about my relationship with dss. Much more interested on people's thoughts about letting brand new drivers drive their young kids around. Knowing the stats, I don't think my concerns are so out there.

Favoritism.

Yes, but I think if the 16 weren't my husband's son, he'd never allow it.

I think if the 16 yr old were your son, you'd allow him to drive the first grader.
Signed, the parent of a 16 year old and a 6 year old.

My stepson, a very normal teenaged boy, neither particularly careful and responsible but certainly not particularly irresponsible, is very close to getting his license. It seems my husband is in favor of his driving our first grader to school. Knowing the stats on accident rates for teenaged boys, I'm not really thrilled about the idea. Overcautious? Reasonable?