<p>I agree with @EarlVanDorn that these things can be regional. In my case, I grew up in one of the boroughs of NYC and had access to public transportation; my husband is a suburban boy through and through who had a car before he left high school. This definitely colors our perspectives.</p>
<p>@EarlVanDorn - Do you live in the South? The situation you describe is identical to my region. Both my kids had cars in HS and both took them to college. Before my D could drive, she rode to HS with an older girl who lives next door. I made her take the bus once in HS when her ride was unavailable and she said “never again.” Apparently, she was sexually harassed by a group of boys on the bus. </p>
<p>I was thrilled when my kids were able to drive themselves to and from school, jobs and ECs, and run their own errands. Made my life a lot easier! </p>
<p>@Overtheedge - I am from the South. And I do think it’s different when kids start driving in relatively small towns or rural areas versus big cities. I really wish the driving age would go back to 15. For many years, Mississippi had a hardship provision so that kids who really needed a license at 15 could get one; however, they did away with that.</p>
<p>I drove myself to college, and I’m just not sure how my kids would get to college without a car. I find the notion that I would chauffeur them there pretty preposterous, but apparently a lot of parents do just that.</p>
<p>My son is about to get his license, and one of the first things he plans to do is apply for a job. You really can’t hold a job without a car. I had several jobs when I was in college, but again, I couldn’t have had them without a car. Just something to think about.</p>
<p>“I drove myself to college, and I’m just not sure how my kids would get to college without a car. I find the notion that I would chauffeur them there pretty preposterous, but apparently a lot of parents do just that.”</p>
<p>My son goes to school about an hour away. I “chauffeur” him there and back at the start and end of school, as well as at Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break. It’s no big deal at all and it’s certainly FAR cheaper than buying an extra car for him to keep there, which is kind of pointless when he has public transportation that can take him most places he needs to go. </p>
<p>My daughter goes to school 1000 miles away. Get on a plane, rent a car in Boston, drop her off and head back to the airport. I would feel uncomfortable letting her drive for 1000 miles by herself. I suppose I could drive with her and then fly back, but again, I am not made out of money and I cannot just afford to have two extra cars sitting around on the off chance that my college students might need them. I’d rather the money go towards a quality school. </p>
<p>I think the convenience of a car is also for the parents, not having to make the trip there to pick them up for the weekend and then taking them back, and then getting back home, etc. That can be tiresome. It’s the reason my parents got me a car my sophomore year. I never drove it other than to go home every other week. So it’s not just all about the kid! But Freshman year, you can feel this out, and see how it goes without one. </p>
<p>One freshman at Auburn in on campus housing. No car and no need for car. He’s getting along fine. Perhaps 1/4 to 1/3 of his freshman friend group has cars. We will revisit when he is working via Co-op or moving off campus.</p>