At What Age Should Teen-agers be Licensed to Drive?

[ladybertha49]

   What age is appropriate for teen-agers to get their license? I know all teen-agers mature at different ages but I question the states that issue license prior to the age of 18.  If you cannot drink until you are 21 in some states, why are we able to drive prior to being 21. For anyone that has children, it was a very stressful time whenever your child passed the drivers test and said that they were taking the car for a drive. I do not know if it is anyone out there that shares my feelings but along with the young driving age, we have the ones that drive and talk on the cell phones at the same time.  In some states, new laws have been passed that make it against the law to talk and text while driving. I love to text and talk on the phone but not at the expense of harming myself or someone else.  So when you add a young driver with a cell phone that is behind the wheel.......  I will leave it at that.  I am definitely interested in your thoughts.

[renee_thigpen]

i think most parents feel that way ....i have a very responsible 17 yr old and we still argue about her driving by herself .....im just not comfortable with it

[darkcrystal7102]

No one should be able to get a license before they are considered and adult.  You can drive a 200 ton vehicle but you cannot go to a bar, play the lotto, get a tatoo, or buy cigerretes yet?  I have always found it interesting how US society works.  I have hosted exchange students in the past, and we are the only country that allows someone under "adult" age to drive a vehicle.  I have let my son know nice and early, that he will not be driving untill he is 18.  I did not get my license until then and I think it is a good idea.  However, about the maturity thing.  I have to agree that people mature at different ages, but if they are "legally" an adult, and they screw up in a vehicle, it is THEIR lesson to learn at that point.  ...and as far as the cell phone laws...  I live in CA, and no one seems to abide by these laws anyway.  So if these "kids" want to drive and chat or drive and text, they will.

[lightningclix]

I have a very responsible 18 year old that is just getting his license and also a 16 year getting ready to get hers...and it scares me terribly!  Not that they are bad drivers, it is everyone else on the road.  You can never be to careful.  I think that all Mothers will agree - we will always worry about them at any age!  I am not sure what age would be best!  But I do know that I am against cell phones and driving 100%.  I live in the state of Washington and I see a lot of drivers pulling over on the side of the road to use theirs more and more, which was a surprise.  Yet there are still some idiots out there that never obey any rules/laws no matter what!

[cheribam]

I think at age 16 but the parents should make sure that they've educated their teens very well especially about drunk driving and road safety.

[Marissaj820]

It's kinda funny how i see so many adults breaking the laws, texting/talking on their cell phones while driving, speeding, drinking and driving, ect. and yet some people think we should not drive until we're 18. why exactly? I understand that once your 18 your an adult and have to take full responsibility for your actions, but I know so many immature adults, and many responsible teens who make better decisions then some of these "adults" lol. I also understand that when your 18 your decision making skills should be developed, but that's actually not the case, when your 25 is when your fully developed, in your decision and behavioral development. But at 16 you should be able to get your license because by then a teenagers reflexes are faster then most and so is their sense of awareness. That's why I think there should be a law where after a certain age you can't drive. Also being 16 and driving is giving them experience, so that once they are an adult and on their own, they will/or should know what to do when it comes to driving.  I also think, when it comes to being mature it doesn't matter how old you are because as I said before there are alot of Irresponsible adults out there. And as for why we are allowed to drink at 21 and drive at 16... I think its because driving isn't putting dangerous chemicals into an adolescent brain and damaging brain cells that aren't even developed yet. when you drink before 21, you're killing the brain cells that haven't developed and leaving it so they can't multiply which will leave you in the future without the maximum brain cells you could of had. Just my thoughts, although I think society's age limits on somethings are wrong, I do believe at 16 you should be able to drive. " drive defensively, as if everyone else is out to hit you" lot's of drivers who do not follow the law cause other innocent people to get hurt, therefore you should always be aware of your surroundings.

[trujillo33]

I think the age they have right now...16..is good!! Yea some kids may not be responsible but i think its the parents that should look out for the kids. Parents should say no if they dont want their kids to drive.

[aswise]

I think 16 is a reasonable age... besides, at that point it's still the parent's decision.  Too many kids go crazy when they get new freedoms, I'd rather keep an eye on my kids 16 and know that I can still take their license away if they're not responsible with it.

[prettynink87x]

I think it should veify from kid to kid. leave it up to the parents when they should drive.

[pjc2244]

If you're the parent you have the responsibility of telling your children/teen whether or not they can drive. When they're 18 they can just say "screw you" and go get a license on their own so it pretty much defeats the purpose...

[home_teachin]

It should be up to the parents, I think 17 or 18 would be more reasonable. You have to consider though, that some kids are going to college early, have a job, or other responsibilities that make driving more of a necessity than a privilege . If a kid gets good grades and is trustworthy than I would say go for it. But if you have a 16 year old that gets in trouble and doesn't act responsibly, I would think they would behave the same on the road.
Most of the time that I get cut off or stuck behind someone doing half the speed limit, it's an elderly person. I would be more worried about them having a license than a 16 year old.

[tumaramarie]

I have two children that are driving age....one is nearly 18 the other just turned 15.....My eldest does just fine behind the wheel, my youngest on the other hand....Has Autism, and just isn't ready....