New Drivers & Cars
Find a Conversation
New Drivers & Cars
| Tue, 10-03-2006 - 3:56pm |
What's your take on supplying a freshly minted 16 yr old driver with their own vehicle?
As you might tell, I have issues with this. It's not the cost so much as the concept.
Any ideas? I'm all ears....
As you might tell, I have issues with this. It's not the cost so much as the concept.
Any ideas? I'm all ears....

Pages
I was told that it's less expensive to pay insurance on a young driver if they have their own vehicle because its probably older. I took that at someone's word, however, and never actually checked this out with my company(and having just asked an atuo insurance question on the college board, its obvious policies vary tremendously)Anyway, in your info gathering, it might be worth a call
Does she work? Will she work? Is public transport available? Do both you and DW work outside the home?
My boys received vehicles in order to go to their jobs. We do not have access to public transportation, DH and I both work at jobs that involve unpredictable and significant driving, and I was not comfortable with them riding a bicycle to any of the jobs(too many narrow overpasses-my blood pressure would skyrocket daily)
If they had simply wanted one for fun and expected us to pay for the vehicle and its upkeep, nope-wouldnt have happened!
I also suggest the oldest, cheapest car you can find with airbags. Many new drivers have an accident in the first 6 mos and school parking lots are hard on vehicles. Of course, I have boys and the idea of them being stranded with a breakdown is probably less worrisome for me.
When Jason got his license
She passed this time, did she daddio! I guess congratulations are in order? Or maybe it's condolences? LOL
I think the purchase of a vehicle would depend largely on the need for a new driver to have one of his/her own.
Does your DD have a job she needs to get herself to? Or extra-curricular activities? I know you mention she is involved in a few. If the hours she works and/or needs to be driven justify her having own vehicle, i.e., it is inconvenient for you or DW to be available for transportation, I think it is something to consider.
For me, it would be all about my DD having a SAFE vehicle. You know we live in SoCal and getting on any of the freeways around her (and from where we live, you pretty much have to to get anywhere) is putting your life on the line -- it's nuts.
When I was a new driver, I was given the typical old beater car and that thing was forever breaking down and stalling at the most inopportune times -- like intersections and stop signs. It was in the days before cell phones, and I don't know how many 'strangers' helped me get that car off the road and to a pay phone to call my dad, but it was a few. NO WAY would I put my child in that predicament in the world we live in today. It's a wonder something terrible didn't happen to me.
So, even though DD is still a full year away from a license, DH and I have pretty much decided she will get a newer, if not new, vehicle for her to drive when the time comes -- just to ensure she is in dependable vehicle, hopefully one that will provide maximum protection should an accident occur.
We've also decided she will have to drive herself to school with DH in the car for a full school year before she can attempt it on her own.
Don't know if this helps, but you did ask for opinions!
Julie
We have always had an 'extra' car in our household. DH drives a long distance for his work and uses his vehicle in his job. If his car breaks down, he has to take a vacation day. That interferes with his duck hunting so - extra car! Both of our girls were given keys to the oldest car we had when they got their license. They were told when you can make it 6 months w/o a ticket or a wreck or some other driving problem, we will consider getting you a used car that is newer than they started with. Oldest one - no problem - she got her new used car at 6 mos and then promptly backed it into a fire hydrant. She had to pay for the damages but we didn't take the car away b/c DH had done the exact same thing with the same hydrant a few months before. Youngest one - took her sister's car when the sister graduated college and got herself a new one. This car was 10 years old. DD totalled a mailbox with it about 2 months after getting her license. She was on a road she had been forbidden to drive so her dad. Her 6 months was to start over again but b/c there were 2 offenses here we extended it to 8 months. Problem - the transmission died in the car. DH caved and bought her a used Camero (I was out of town moving oldest DD when all this took place). Anyway, she protects that thing with her life. Last weekend, when we went to visit her at college, she asked us to take home her Camero and leave her the SUV b/c she didn't want door dings on the Camero.
So my kids get old cars and are "supposed" to prove themselves before we buy them a newer used car. That's the theory anyway!!
Hi. I haven't been around in a while. Just came to take a look and found something I thought I should weigh in on.
I posted about this in August when we were on the verge of 17 yo DD getting her driver's license. At the time, we knew we wanted to have a 3rd car so that DD would have something to drive - to school, to work and to alleviate some of the driving DH and I do. We live in a semi-rural area where nothing is within walking distance or accessible by public transportation. It seemed to make sense. After much back and forth about whether to buy a new or used car, or if she should get my car and I should get a new one (mine being a really great 4 yo car in excellent condition), we decided I get the new car (woohoo!).
Oh gosh, karezz, how scary for all of you! I'm glad your DD is okay. Was there much damage to the car?
Thank you for taking the time to share your story. It's quite a timely message with all these new and about to be new drivers coming around.
Julie
Edited 10/3/2006 6:45 pm ET by hydrangea_blue
I checked with my trusty insurance agent today. Fast Freddie tells me DD will be rated as a "secondary driver" on the most valuable vehicle in the household regardless of what she is allowed to drive and how often. That's bad news.
Fred confirmed what you said. Much cheaper to get her a beater, even if she's rated as a "primary driver."
She would be allowed to drive from home to: work, swimming and dance. No driving to school.
Thanks Julie. Congratulations / condolences are a bit premature. DD takes her THIRD drivers exam on the 12th.
The last disaster was due to her turning right after stopping on a red light (legal) except for the sign that said, "no turn on red." (definitely illegal). She was quite frustrated, claimed to not see the sign, and said it was a "stupid mistake."
I explained that "if it were the real world, she would have gotten a ticket. Most all tickets are just stupid mistakes from inattentiveness. You can NOT afford to get a ticket."
She was pretty po'ed at me. lol..Too bad I guess.
There are several conflicting issues here that are making this difficult:
1. She is really quite busy with a job and sports. A vehicle would make sense.
2. She is not a very good driver yet, evidenced by her exam results and also when I take her out to practice there are always a few minor issues, corrections, etc.
3. I like the time she and I are in the car. It's our time. Maybe if I'm honest with myself, I'm being a tad selfish.
4. She's one of the youngest juniors. ALL of her friends drive and seem to have a vehicle available to them. I know this shouldn't matter, but it certainly does to her.
<<>>
I REALLY like this plan! Good idea.
How frightening!
I'm so glad she was okay from the accident.
<<>
Excellent advice. I think I need to take these driving priviledges very slow and gradual.
She will undoubtably howl and nag for more.
Going to have to stick to my guns on this one.
I wish we had an older vehicle for DD and just get a new one for DW.
DD is not getting near mine. DW teaches all day so DD can't use hers.
hmmm..Taurus isn't a bad idea..
lol..my brother and I shared a vehicle at that age. We were both leaving it empty for the other and constantly fighting about it. And gas was 35 cents a gallon!
I hope Justin has better success with the exam than we're experiencing!
Pages