My 16 year old daughter, Stephanie is learning to drive. She has taken her time with it. She could already have her driver's license at her age, but she hasn't been in a hurry. She said that she hasn't really wanted to get out on the roads. I can't really blame her - the roads here are really crowded and sometimes a bit crazy.
When I was a 15 year old kid all I wanted to do was get behind the wheel. But, it was different back then. The roads were empty. Melbourne Florida was a small, quiet town. My dad was insistent that I learn to drive on a stick shift, because so many cars were stick back then. He also made me change a couple of tires before I ever got behind the wheel. He made me change the oil, too. He said that I wasn't going to drive a car without knowing how to take care of it first.
I learned to drive on an old light blue VW square back. It had over 150,000 miles on it at the time. I remember coming around the corner in an intersection here in town, and pushing the clutch in, and the clutch rod snapped - in half. The car came to a slow stop - in the middle of the intersection. At the time I was terrified! My dad and I got out and pushed it to a nearby parking lot. That was the first of a long line of cars that I had to push for one reason or another in my life.
The day I turned 16 years old, I was at the driver's license office, taking my test. I was driving the next day.
Today, around here, that seems to have changed. Teenagers are taking a bit longer to learn to drive...an extra year or two. Stephanie tells me that she is not comfortable driving my Mini Van because it's only 2 years old. Stephanie has just inherited her Grandma's car, which is smaller and older than my vehicle. She seems to be fine with it. She is now asking to drive everyday. I'll let you know when she decides it's time to head to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get her driver license.
This article is authored by
Sandy Shores Realtor, Melbourne FL Real Estate
Brevard County Real Estate & Investing
Palm Bay Florida Real Estate News
that for you
Sandy, I was like you, the day I was 16 I had the regular license. I had the learner's permit before that. Can't understand the slowness to want to drive in today's kids. Maybe they don't care.
I wonder what role the internet has in their desire to drive? You can go anywhere in the world and never leave the home office. I was anxious like everyone else and couldn't wait for the freedom that a drivers license meant!
I couldn't wait to learn how to drive. Nothing in the world was going to stop me from getting my license at 16. It must be different in other parts of the country.
Hi Sandy
It must be an exciting time for your daughter learning to drive. Have fun.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
Sandy, Sounds like exciting times around the Shore residence. Your daughters are lucky that their mom can still remember what it was like at their age. We can only hope they take it slow andunderstand that driving is not a right but a responsibility...
Oh boy, Sandy. My son is 14 1/2 years old. He wants to run out to get his license at 16 (permit at 15 1/2) and I can't tell you how the thought terrifies me. Unlike my siblings, I didn't get my license until I was 18. Your father was wise to teach you to change the oil and the tires when you learned how to drive. I'm still surprised how many car salesmen ask me if I know how to drive a stick shift, even though they have NEVER asked my husband the same question.
One daughter thinking of driving, the other playing an Oompa Loompa. You have a full life! :)
Hi Gary, I have noticed that many of her friends are hesitant to drive right away today also.
Tony & Darcy, That's an interesting perspective that I hadn't thought of...could be.
Justin, I'm with you, I was exactly the same way that you were.
Lou, She seems a bit more comfortable with it now that she's not driving my van anymore.
Paul, So true, driving is a responsibility and they must be very cautious.
Heather, I really haven't been in any hurry to get my daughter behind the wheel, at all.
Tony, We do indeed have a busy life - you make me laugh. Thanks for the smile today.
Hi Sandy, I remember learning how to drive, in Denver.... it was great fun, it's good that Stephanie is waiting until she's comfortable, because as well as great fun, to go where you want to go, it's also a big responsibility, which I gather- she understands :-)
I also remember when my daughter was learning to drive and Dad was helping her back into the garage, she only took out a small chunck of siding when she missed the entry on one side HAHAHA!! oh, sweet memories !
Hi Miss Mary, I enjoyed learning to drive, but it was a bit nerve racking driving with my Dad - he made me so nervous sometimes. It seems so different with the kids today though.
Sandy,
I could not wait to get my drivers license. Plus I was a year younger then everyone else in my class because I started first greade at age 5. I felt a lot of pressure because everyone else could drive.
HI Richard, I was exactly the same way you were! It seems around here that times have changed.
I had one who couldn't wait to drive (you can have your license at 16 and 3 months in Virginia and she got it on that day last December) and one who was ambivalent. We bought a stick shift 'kid car' to keep them from texting and talking on the phone. I would HIGHLY recommend that. Good luck with the driving...you will survive!!!
Holly, I'm not upset that she had chosen to wait. Keeps the gray hairs off of my head for now.