17-year-old boy not wanting to drive

by Guest » Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:57 am
Guest

Our son is 17 next week and says he wants to go for his driving test (failed the first knowledge test, as he knew everything in the book, lol) that was 6 mos ago and he is a little more interested but not really. His friends are all getting their license; he just doesn't seem that interested; says he wants to go for the test, but never asks us to take him nor studies for the test. Anyone else experience this? Should we encourage him to go or just wait until he appears ready to go?

Total Comments: 11

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:50 pm Post Subject:

''I"" would wait until he bugged me about it!

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 07:42 pm Post Subject:

I don't know but wouldn't they first administer the written test and then the driving test? I'd think this would make sense as if the person does not know the "rules" of the road, why would they want to allow him to drive?

If I were you... I'd sit down and quiz him about the info in the book before I'd waste any of my time taking him down to the DMV. If he can't answer the questions correctly for you, he won't be able to pass the DMV test anyway. I recently took the written test (open book as I'm 41... what a waste of time) and was shocked at how many young people were failing the written test (some for the 2nd time that same day). I think that they thought they were simply entitled to the drivers licenses so they did not need to study.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:21 am Post Subject:

Are you telling us that people failed an OPEN BOOK test? How is THAT possible? :?

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:38 am Post Subject:

No... mine was open book as I already had a license. There's was not open book. But it's not rocket science... if they studied they would have passed.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 09:00 am Post Subject: insurance

My son is 15. He's not TOO interested in driving..right now, anyway. he told me he "may want to wait until he gets out of scool." by that time, he'll be 17/18. I think that's a good idea. I din't get MY license until I was 21. LOL However, back then, you HAD to pass the written test BEFORE you took the driving part.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:02 am Post Subject:

I had to (as did my kids) pass the written test first...then the driving test...man I can't belive these kids wanting to wait ! (although I would've supported it whole heartedly had my kids wanted to)...I (and both my kids) were at the DMV on our 16th birthday! :lol:

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 03:15 pm Post Subject: Take away the taxi!

If the young man does not want to drive, teach him about public transit. (He will probably want a license quickly after riding a muni bus for awhile) Here is the economic approach: If he has the ability to go wherever he pleases, (that is you driving him) than what is the incentive to get a DL? I would love a chauffer and not having a DL is a convenient excuse. If you want him to buckle down and get the DL, take away the taxi!

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 03:32 pm Post Subject:

If he has the ability to go wherever he pleases, (that is you driving him) than what is the incentive to get a DL? I would love a chauffer and not having a DL is a convenient excuse.

The only problem with allowing him to obtain a license and drive himself is the _huge_ insurance expense. Just something to consider.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 07:32 pm Post Subject: Insurance expense

Tcope, very true. However, it is a great learning opportunity for him. Insurance is a part of life whether we like it or not. To understand why we pay insurance is very important. Go back to my example of sticks and carrots. If the child is not paying for their own insurance, what is the disincentive to driving recklessly? Obviously you can hold them accountable in many different ways. (Take away the car) But making them responsible by paying their own insurance and hence paying any increases in premiums due to reckless driving is the perfect way to teach this generation that there are consequences to their actions.

Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:09 pm Post Subject:

huge_ insurance expense. Just something to consider.

Not to mention GAS! We bought our kids their first 'beater' they had to pay ALL ins/gas/upkeep or the car was parked...pure and simple...personally as a Mama...would've thrilled me silly not to have the worry of my 16 yr old on the road...as long as it didn't turn into some kind of phobia about driving.

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