Thoughts on Teen Driving

I am the proud parent of a teenager with a Learner's Permit.

In Virginia, where we live,  according to the Department of Motor Vehicles the rules for getting a permit and license are as follows:

To obtain a learner's permit in Virginia, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months of age.  You must hold a learner's permit at least nine months and provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver education program before you can receive a driver's license. In addition, your parent, guardian or foster parent must provide his or her driver's license or state-issued identification card number and certify that you received at least 45 hours of driver practice, 15 of which must have been competed after sunset. 

As opposed to years past, not all teens are racing to get their driver's license as soon as they turn 16, and in states such as Virginia they need to be 16 years and 3 months at minimum.  Some teens are not interested in learning to drive at all, and don't even get a learner's permit.  I have also heard comments from parents recently about the conditions they insist must be met before their teen can get a learner's permit, such as reaching a certain rank in Boy Scouts.  Other parents are just waiting until their child expresses some interest in driving before getting their permit.

I didn't get my license until I was 18, although I had my permit for a few years.  I definitely felt like I did not get enough practice before I was granted a license, and sort of taught myself to become a competent driver through "on-the-road" training.

I am very comfortable with my son having his permit, because it will allow for the maximum amount of driving practice.  We are in no hurry to get his license, but I see no reason to wait to get a permit.  At least for us, there is no additional cost in insurance until a new driver actually gets their license.  There is a lot of research showing the lower crash rates of teen drivers when teens must wait until they are 17 to get a license.

We are taking the driving training slowly; we live in an area with lots of traffic, everywhere, all the time.  This time is essential for us parents to share advice, instill confidence, and judge competence before allowing independent driving.  So far the driving is going pretty well, although we haven't ventured too far from home yet.  We still need to make it out to the highway when it's quiet, not an easy feat!

I think any conditions need to be saved for actually getting a license.  Kids need as much practice time as they can get, especially in this region.  More time driving with a permit should develop a teen into a safer, more confident driver than rushing the minimum required practice into nine months.