<p>We live in a suburb with zero public transportation. Literally zero. It’s virtually impossible for someone to get around without a car. A car really is a necessity here, not a luxury. Most kids either buy their own car, parents buy one or parents buy one for ‘the kids’ (if there are multiple kids in the family) or rarely, they share the family car.</p>
<p>My point is it’s not uncommon for kids to be driving their own car since they were 15. That kind of puts in a different light for some parents. After your child has been driving accident/ticket free since they were 15, it’s a little harder to justify suddenly taking it away for the next 4 years. I’m not saying people can’t or don’t do it but it does put a different spin on things. My son has shown himself to be very responsible with his car over the last 3 1/2 years. Do we reset the trust dial to zero at this point? He’s had plenty of opportunity to drink and drive over the last few years and yet, he has chosen not to (I’m up every time he comes into the house and have a conversation with him). Can’t say that for all his friends. Personally, I would feel better if I knew son was driving himself around rather than relying on others who may or may not be good drivers or have been drinking Let’s face - once they are at college, we have no idea what they are doing. True, you are reducing your own personal liability (a very good thing) by not providing a car but you aren’t necessarily making your child any safer (unless, of course, you forbid them to ride with anyone else).</p>
<p>It really depends on the campus - some campuses really don’t require a car, some do.</p>
<p>BTW - I’m not trying to persuade anyone that their position is wrong - only that some people see it from different angle. Haven’t quite decided what we are going to do but the norm with my son’s friends is to take a car to college unless it’s in a very urban area or very far from home.</p>