CA Driving Age Changing?

Updated on September 23, 2013
S.H. asks from Santa Barbara, CA
9 answers

I over heard parents talking about the age to get drivers license changing to 18 in CA. They were saying one teen is still eligible to take driver's ed and drive at 16 and the younger one will not have that option (not sure the age of the younger child, but i think he's in 4th grade). i understand about permits and provisional until 18, so this is not my question. i am curious if this means my kids will not have the option of being minor drivers. Sounds nice considering the stress and liability of having a 16 year old driving.

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K.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I googled a little and it doesn't appear it's going to be changed anytime soon, but has been discussed for 8 or more years from what I can tell.

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T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

LOL just WAIT until your kid reaches driving age, you will be wanting them to get their license as much as they do!
I was thrilled when my kids started driving, between school, sports and babysitting jobs, it saved me HOURS a day, I'm not even exaggerating. Unless you live within walking distance of school and everything else your children participate in you will love the license, it's AWESOME!!!

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P.K.

answers from New York on

I think that is great. The fatalitiy rate is highest amongst teens. By 18 they are starting to come to their senses in most cases.i made my kids wait intil
They were 17 1/2 before I let them take the test. They had their permits. My husband is a retired NYC cop and volunteer firefighter. If you saw what he has seen, you would make them wait. They were NEVER EVER allowed to be in the car together. Sure would life be easier if I let them drive earlier,
But for us that was not an option.

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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

It's true that you are freed up a lot once your kids start driving. But I remember wishing the driving age was 18, especially once my daughter started driving. The stress was not worth it.

I don't know what the new law will be, but whatever it is, people will adjust.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Everything depends on when the law is implemented. If your child can legally drive before the law is changed then they won't take the license away for a couple years but if they haven't hit 16 then they will have to wait.

I agree with Mamzita though, the stress of driving a teen around is a lot greater than the stress of a teen that drives. Well unless you never teach them right, then I suppose you would have all sorts of stress regardless.

1 mom found this helpful

☼.S.

answers from San Diego on

I don't think it's changing, but really, the teen trend right now is to wait to get one's license. I read this somewhere, posted it on FB and I couldn't believe how many parents chimed in that yes, they had teens that *could* drive, but had no interest in getting their licenses. The reasons included: too expensive (car, car insurance, etc.), generally didn't care and overall frightened of the freeways and speeds around here. I was totally blown away, as I couldn't wait to blow out of my parents house in my car!

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C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I grew up in CA. I remember them talking about that back when I was 16, lol. I'm 32 now and they still haven't changed it. I doubt they will change it

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I haven't heard of the change, but I would be glad if it did. Have you checked into the cost of insuring a teen driver?

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Changes to driving laws are usually because something happened. The law in our state to limit teen passengers is due to an accident that killed a friend of a friend. I think the average 16 yr old does not need to drive. I lived in a country area and was in after school activities and did not drive myself to school. You learn to do things like bring a snack because Mom can't pick you up til 6PM. You can't get picked up from 15 activities? You carpool and/or streamline.

I think that raising the driving age to adulthood is a good thing. They need time to mature and it is not always a good thing to have a teen out on the road by him or herself. You can be more "freed up" than you ever want if Junior takes your van off the side of the road into a tree.

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