Thoughts about Teenage Drivers

When our kids learnt to drive, we had a debate on whether to use our older, bigger, sturdier car or buy something smaller and lightweight like a Prius or Civic. We went with the older larger car and it was the right decision. In the event of a crash – and let’s face it, teenagers have crashes – you want to be sure they will be safe. Highway Safety research backs up our decision.

Here are the next steps. First go to the California DMV website section for teens (here) and click on everything. Teens can get a permit at 15 ½ and an unrestricted license by 18.

The law requires 6 hours (usually 3 lessons) of initial drivers education. After that we taught one son to drive and relied on an instructor for the other – we used the locally based Manhattan Driving School (link), who were just fine. Then they took their drivers tests. Important tip: double check all the paperwork you will need, including proof they completed the 6 hours and proof of insurance, and don’t forget any of it.

It’s worth remembering California DMV rules for provisional drivers licenses: they cannot:

- Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first 12 months. - Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first 12 months.

Both sons now seem like reasonably competent drivers and having a drivers license brought a newfound maturity and sense of independence. The biggest downside, of course, was that our insurance premiums rocketed up.

If you were ever tempted to think that the driving age should be raised, it's a bad idea - here is a New York Times report on a study that explains why that is.