<p>We are also in NY. Driver’s Ed is the first thing cut when the school budget fails, so a lot of kids learn with parents or use a driving school. Is it true they can only be driving in dual-brake cars with their permits? If so, we’re in trouble, because we’ve been practicing with S. on the weekends, and a friend’s son is learning just with his dad. They will also need to take a five-hour course at a driving school or insurance agency before taking their road test. I wish there was a really good ‘defensive driving’ program around here geared for teens.</p>
<p>Driving well is one of the most important things they’ll ever learn, but unfortunately it seems to be something that’s usually done in a hurry-- pass that test and get on the road! Our S. hasn’t been in any real rush to drive. For one, he has nothing TO drive, and also we live close enough that he can easily walk to town, school, and summer job. In some odd way I think this embarasses H., when he hears his friends tell how their sons are chomping at the bit for that license and first car. I think he is projecting his own insecurities… </p>
<p>Also a bit off original topic-- S. is planning to take a course at a nearby college this summer. Both H. and I NEED our cars for work, siblings, etc. We would love for him to get some real driving time/experience before he heads away to college in the fall. I can’t imagine there are any auto dealers out there itching to give ultra-short-term leases to teenage drivers… Does anyone every buy a used car just to sell it again in 6-7 months? Oh, and another thinig just popped into my head-- my car is leased. Am now wondering if I will need to contact the dealer to list S. as an occasional driver?
Sorry to get so far off the original topic, zoosermom! This is a big step for all of us. We will probably be facing the same decision as you a few months down the road. You mentioned heavy traffic on D’s drive to school, which in some way sounds preferable (at least slower!) than a highway trip as on the LIE where everyone is flying… I also think leaving early and not rushing is key. Good luck!</p>
<p>My little sister is 18 and she got her license when she was 16. During Junior year she was allowed to drive to school but chose not to most days because she wanted to save on gas money. This year she’s been driving every day. The first six months or so my mom wouldn’t let her drive to the mall herself, which is about 20 minutes away. She’s allowed to go there now, however she’s still not allowed to go certain other places which are about 30 minutes away. I don’t think its a problem with my mom trusting her driving, she just has a horrible sense of direction. The college that she’s going to is about 35 minutes from here so she’ll have to figure out how to get there some day!</p>
<p>haha, don’t look at me. My car is in perfect condition. except… I scratched my door on a bush a few weeks ago and now there is a scratch in the paint. I sat there practically crying and I drove all the way to my moms work to show her and she told me that it was fine and that we could buff the scratch out once it gets warm outside. I was so upset! I’m so over protective with my car that if that scratch doesn’t come out i’ll be repainting my door/whole car because of it. That’s the one thing i’m completely obsessive compulsive over… keeping my car nice.</p>
<p>I had pulled to the side of the driveway (about six inches from a bush) to let someone pass me in it and then a gust of wind came and blew this bush right into my car! I felt like an idiot!</p>
<p>I’m in New York (suburban Long Island). Kids can drive with their permits with an over 21 adult and it doesnt have to be a dual control car. I think the OP was talking about driver’s ed /driving school cars being dual control.
D started driving asap and now ,at 23 has not had an accident,a fender bender,nothing.Took drivers ed and driving lessons from an instructor.
S also started driving asap,same drivers ed and private lessons.Had first accident in HS parking lot…hit another drivers open door after about 2 months. In March last year (St Pats day) he had a true collision due to inexperience…he tried to merge into oncoming traffic and misjudged. He was saved from injury due to a side curtain airbag.
We didnt let him drive again for awhie…he was badly shaken up. He gradually started again…no passengers (as before the accident)and built up his confidence.Last summer his job entailed needing a car to commute at off hours and this helped him regain more confidence.
I was very happy to have him attend college far away from home,where bringing a car wasnt an issue.Hes had a year to mature and leave that crazy HS culture behind him(gotta be here,gotta be there)
He’s returning home for the summer to that same job,will commute and will take his car with him next year to school.
I can tell the accident still weighs on him,he recently mentioned st Patricks Day as the “anniversary” of his near death experience.</p>
<p>“Is it true they can only be driving in dual-brake cars with their permits? If so, we’re in trouble, because we’ve been practicing with S. on the weekends”</p>
<p>YEs it is really true. Watch out for that because it’s completely illegal. I think this is a truly terrible way for kids to learn to drive.</p>
<p>“I’m in New York (suburban Long Island). Kids can drive with their permits with an over 21 adult and it doesnt have to be a dual control car. I think the OP was talking about driver’s ed /driving school cars being dual control.”</p>
<p>No that’s not what I meant. I’m in NYC and we have different regulations than Long Island. Here they are:</p>
<p>NYC: New York City (5 Boroughs)
You must drive only under the immediate supervision of your:
Parent
Guardian
Person “in loco parentis”
Driver Education Teacher
Driving School Instructor</p>
<p>The person above must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle being driven.</p>
<p>Vehicle must have dual controls (dual brakes).</p>
<p>zoosermom
Im really confused.have things changed in the last year or is it different in parts of NY State? We had to attend a mandatory parents session as part of the drivers ed course and were never informed that it was illegal to drive in a non dual control car.</p>
<p>But after they get their permits, is there a time limit or a mileage requirement before they can take the driving test for their license? Having a state ¶requirement is a real blessing as far as I’m concerned for our kids to have to have had at least 6 months and a minimum of 50 hours of driving time with an adult. Pain in the… but, still very worthwhile. I also appreciate the 11:00 curfew for drivers under 18.</p>
<p>“But after they get their permits, is there a time limit or a mileage requirement before they can take the driving test for their license” </p>
<p>No, there are suggestions but no enforceable requirements. It’s actually better to take it sooner so that driver’s ed is still fresh in the kids’ minds since they can’t drive without dual brakes.</p>
<p>I hear what you are saying about passing the test, but in PA once they pass the licensing test they can drive on their own so making them do 50 hours with an adult is part of the requirement of being able to drive on their own. Drivers ed (taught sophmore year) is a graduation requirement. Our school also has free on-the-road training that is optional but very popular.<br>
Our kids take two tests - the written test for the permit and then the driving test for the real license. </p>
<p>I googled NY driving laws and what’s required in different parts of the state is quite confusing. There are different times that new drivers are allowed to drive and places that they cannot drive.</p>
<p>Kathiep, it’s nuts, isn’t it? Driver’s ed isn’t required in NYC (actually, I didn’t know it was required anywhere) and, in fact, isn’t offered in public schools. It has to be taken at a private school for a cost of close to $500 and then generally private lessons at $40 an hour are needed to supplement the 15 minutes a week of actual driving time. Of course, if the family can’t afford this, the kid has to wait till he/she turns 18 and then takes a private 6 hour class and private driving lessons. Anyway, the driver’s ed kids can only drive in dual brake cars with permits (and most parents don’t have those!), so they are taught to pass the test and THEN get driving time. The test here involves a closed street course, one left turn, one right turn, one K turn and a parallel park. No driving in traffic, no changing lanes. It lasts less than five minutes. The person is then licensed in the state of NY and it’s up to the individual parents to choose how to supervise their children. As you can imagine, many don’t. I really think it was better before this change when a student with a permit could drive with a parent during certain hours. Back then, kids were prepared to drive when they got their licenses. It seems backward to me. Get your license and THEN learn to drive instead of the other way.</p>
<p>Mine could drive alone at 15 1/2 --and I let him. He could drive a carload at 16 1/2–and I let him. Over the course of two years, he was stopped and breathalized three times and passed with flying colours all three times.</p>
<p>Recently he took his first motorcycle ride. He said he was terrified but thrilled. He didn’t have his license so the rental agency lent him one–from Slovenia. Sure enough, he was stopped by police whereupon his heart almost came out of his mouth as he tried to decide if he should fake a Slovenian accent. He said he visualized himself in an African jail. The police weren’t bothered but he was so nervous he couldn’t get the motorcycle re-started. It took three policemen 20 minutes of instruction to get him back on his way. He’s 18.</p>
<p>I drove full loads of carpool when I was 16–not to mention all the other things we did when we were driving in the 70s.</p>
<p>Give her a vote of confidence and let her try it. In anotehr country or in another day and age she would have been out of your house and living as a full adult.</p>
<p>Mathmom, But what about all those New Yorkers that don’t have cars? My BIL and family live in Manhatten and BIL is the only one with a license. They don’t own a car. They rent a car when they go out of town but no one else can drive it besides BIL anyway. So, if they buy a car for their two kids 16 and 19 who want to drive, the younger one cannot legally drive in Manhatten until he’s older anyway, right? boy, pretty complicated.</p>
<p>Cheers, driving in the 70’s was nothing like driving today. Our highways are like collision courses. No one drives the speed limit (or even close), people weave in and out of lanes with no blinker or signal, they tailgate. </p>
<p>My son began driving on the highway and in and out of city traffic within the first two weeks of having his permit. Although he just got his license too, he has had a lot of experience driving with the MA crazies. We did say no highway driving at night alone, yet. He needs more experience with night driving. </p>
<p>Sure is a big leap of faith, but I think kids who have practiced a lot, know the rules, take the responsibility seriously, should be given the chance to drive.</p>