The Driving Milestone

[TeenageWildlife]

DD passed her test this week. Am finding it really hard to know she is out there driving herself around. She's v sensible but I know how often other drivers can be reckless. It's just terrifying. When does it get better? Or maybe it doesn't.

[twentyoneagain]

Oh I know what you mean and DD hasn't passed her test yet (just started to learn). Like your DD, mine is sensible and very careful, but it will be the other drivers I worry about.

I guess it will get better as they become more experienced, I am sure my parents felt exactly the same when I passed my test .

[Milliways]

I feel your pain. I was the same when DD passed - especially when they are the driver for a groupo of friends going clubbing & not coming back until 2 or 3am.

Even though she was very sensible I didn't stop worrying until she left for Uni without a car

[Firway]

Yes, isn't it v. scary when they first go out in the car by themselves. My daughter passed her test two weeks ago and I gave her the green "P" plates to put on her car for the first month. They seem to do the trick because other drivers are more considerate towards her and less impatient. She, of course doesn't like them but those first few weeks of driving alone are SO important. When my son first passed his test , I followed him around in my car for the first afternoon - he doesn't know this!
Try to persuade your DD not to fill the car with too many friends - one is enough of a distraction.

[TeenageWildlife]

Thanks for the support and advice. Milliways, what do you do about insuring the car when DD is at uni? We have no idea what we'll do about hers when she goes - am going to keep the car for my DS to learn on eventually next year, but at £87 a month to insure it seems mad to just leave it on the road for 3 months. Is there another solution?

[Milliways]

We paid for the year, (Feb-Feb) so she used it through the summer and a bit at Christmas. We are not renewing now (adds £500 to premium!) but Admiral said if we renewed with them she could be added as & when needed on a weekly rate of £35 ish. As she has a job abroad from June-October there is no point paying an annual premium. She can choose to pay to use the car if she wants it for a job at other times, we can play Taxi-Driver again and there is always her bike (which she uses daily at Uni).

Other people say it pays to get an "Any Driver" policy - I think this only pays off if you have 2 or more Teens/Young Drivers as they are expensive.

[ajandjjmum]

I went to sleep whilst waiting for ds to come in on Saturday. Mind you he is 18 this week, and passed his driving test 11 months ago! So you do get there, but it takes time.

[ajandjjmum]

Just remembered one other thing. One of ds's girl friends is not allowed out by her parents without a satnav, so that if she gets lost she can find her way home without getting into a vulnerable situation.

As one who normally moans that no-one can read maps these day , I did think what a good thinking this was - I shall certainly make sure dd has one when she drives.

[TeenageWildlife]

thanks aj and milli

[Sherbert37]

DS1 starts driving lessons next week but I don't think I will be able to afford to insure him for my car. I'm thinking there must be a lot of teenage boys who pass their tests but then don't drive for years - this must be dangerous?

[slumby]

My 18 yo ds has driven to Wales this weekend. First time on the motorway. He was really looking forward to it. I was, well, I'm sure to can imagine, LOL !! I showed him how to read a map before he went (don't know what they do in school these days!)He text to say he got there safely and now I'm worrying about him getting home. Gosh its so much harder when they get older! Bring back that tantuming two year old LOL!!!