My son is about to get his permit to drive, that scares the living daylights out of me.

HOW do you learn to just "let go"...I'll admit, Im the queen of control freaks, I knew he cant to what I say once he gets to a certain age, and I certainly can't be driving him around for the restof his life lol 

I have a 9 year old and I can almost have a panic attack thinking about her driving. I guess I should read what people say and start trying to let go now, because I think it may take that long. Lol 

Good luck, LOL!

Just set rules and stick to them. You now have the power to take away the car keys. Most kids will do anything to keep those keys, haha! 

I wouldn't let them get a permit. I'm not a parent yet but it seems like all the accidents I hear about are about young kids who just don't know about the responsibility of driving. Even from my past experience, I know that when you're young, you do dumb things. Add in a car and it makes matters worse. You're in a tough spot though because the kids who are able to drive but don't have a license are uncool in high school. 

Teenagers driving is a very scary thing to deal with, and I really wish they'd up the age for a license to 18. I made my kids call me when they got to their destination, and again when they were on their way home. It made it a little easier. Also, all kids are different. I didn't let my son get his license until he was 19 because I knew he wasn't responsible enough to handle it. He was almost a sophomore in college when he got his license, and I don't regret it at all. 

My son is about to get his permit to drive, that scares the living daylights out of me.

HOW do you learn to just "let go"...I'll admit, Im the queen of control freaks, I knew he cant to what I say once he gets to a certain age, and I certainly can't be driving him around for the restof his life lol 

it's not about "letting go" it's about trust. I'm a control freak too, i have AAA OnBoard installed in my son's car so i know where it is at all times and get notified if he breaks the curfew time or speed limit i set for the vehicle.

Basically they need to learn it's a privilege to drive not a right and hey if they know "daddy" is watching it's just more incentive not to cave to the peer pressure new teen drivers are sure to get.

My son is an excellent driver, age isn't a factor it's the individual and their maturity level. Some are ready to drive at 16, some are not you can't generalize it with an age cap.

There were rules my son had the option to follow or ignore if he wanted his permit & vehicle.

1) GPA over 3.0 so i could get a good student discount on insurance.

2) no one allowed in the vehicle except his brother while he was a provisional driver

3) he will get a JOB and pay for gas to fill the vehicle.

My son met my requirements so he's got a car and is driving it. 

Basically they need to learn it's a privilege to drive not a right

Absolutely agree. 

I think they are increasing the age in CA here soon. 

Booze 

1) GPA over 3.0 so i could get a good student discount on insurance.

2) no one allowed in the vehicle except his brother while he was a provisional driver

3) he will get a JOB and pay for gas to fill the vehicle.

My son met my requirements so he's got a car and is driving it.


Yea well the GPS is nipped in the bud right there. He has 2 f's just cause he could care less about doing the work.

I already paid for the course and he completed the online portion. Now he is suppose to go to the DMV and take the test for his permit so he can take the behind the wheel part.

IMO he dont deserve SQUAT, but how long does he have to go to the DMV to get his permit so he can start the behind the whell part of his testing? 

Just have him go to DMV and take the written test while it's fresh in his mind. Then sit down and figure out if you want to pay for the behind-the-wheel or not.

His 6 month counter doesn't start until he has completed the 1st hour of behind-the-wheel with a licensed instructor. So 6 months from his first behind-the-wheel lesson is when he will be eligible to go to DMV and take his behind-the-wheel test to get his provisional license.

6 months is plenty of time IMHO for the grades to improve and/or a part time job to help out with the vehicle expenses. Just because he has a provisional license doesn't mean you'll allow him to drive with it.

If the grades aren't up to par that's a no-brainer. Most insurance companies offer discounts to good students, unless he is paying his own insurance i wouldn't insure him unless his grades were a 3.0 or higher. Teen insurance is brutal on the wallet. 

I already paid for the driving part, he's completed the online portion

How long does he have now to go to go take his test so he can START the behind the wheel? 

i'm not sure there is a limit on the time, you'd have to contact DMV, i'd go get the written done sooner then later there is a fee every time you fail it so you want to make sure he's studied for it and passes it the first time otherwise you'll have to take another trip to DMV to do it again and pay for it again in two weeks or whatever they say is the re-test timeframe.

If you've already paid for the behind-the-wheel then once the written is done schedule that and get it going. 6 months from then he'll be done and can take his DMV driving test. Once he's a provisional driver then it's up to you. You could let him drive only with you or another adult, on his own or never that's your call. 

Great Donny, THANKS!:) 

no problem, good luck! I've got my second one about to start his online portion next month need to get him all done by October when he turns 16. FML. 

Agree with Donny...
Allow him to get a permit but place strict guidelines.

We created a contract.
A GPA requirement

No one allowed in the vehicle (this was after a unspecified period of only driving with a parent in the car to be sure she drove responsibly)

She had to pay for her portion of the insurance

She paid for all oil changes, a portion of the tires when they needed replaced and was required to keep the car clean inside and out.

She had to check tire pressure with every fill up and keep a log for gas mileage

No one else was to drive the car

If she failed in any area, the car was parked.

When she went to college, we purchased her a car with the same agreement but added that she pay 100.00 a month and we removed the passenger restrictions. She paid for parking permits. In 4 years she did well. She did get a speeding ticket during Spring break Senior year of college, she paid for it and the increase in her insurance, officer said she was VERY respectful.Surpisingly no fender benders (it was a 5 speed) She sold it June 2011 and joined the Marine Corps...she turned out okay and avoided much of the peer pressure. While in bootcamp her college roomate, who purchased the car, totaled it (she never had restrictions and was on her fourth car) BE firm and make him work hard for the privilege, you will not be popular, but he'll be okay! 

I got my permit the day I turned 15 1/2 then my license the day I turned 16.
My parents rules
1- must obtain all A's or above a 3.5 gpa
2- must attend all classes on days I go to school even an accidental call from the school would mean keys taken away for a week
3- must have other parents permission to drive their children anywhere after the 6 month limit
4- must put in my own gas that I could earn at $0.01 a dish or through a job.
5- must call when I arrive where I am going and be there in case they decied to check up on me
6- be able to run simple errands without complaint. If I complained I didn't deserve the car.
7- I must be able to check the fluids an keep them at a satisfactory level if not and they were checked I didn't deserve a car
Simple yet firm rules.