by Rich Wojtczak
Many of the so-called experts are advocating that getting a permit to begin driver training should be delayed, some even suggesting 17 as the minimum age. Their arguments typically center around immaturity. While I agree that there are some teens that lack the desired level of maturity at 15, the same unfortunately is also true for some adults over the age of 35.
By delaying the start of training we are most likely reducing the amount of time that a teen gets to practice under the watchful eye of a responsible adult. In fact, if we do nothing but increase the minimum age, we stand a good chance of giving the teen a reason to simply delay licensing beyond the GDL window, which studies show is already happening. There are a growing number of teens that are not pursuing a driver license when they are eligible.
A better approach would be to issue the permit at 15, and increase the holding period to a year, or even longer. Along with that, should be a requirement, similar to what Texas has implemented, that requires driver training until the age of 25.
Parents need to understand the consequences of delaying the initiation of their child into the world of motor vehicle operation. They are pretty much abdicating their chance to influence how much and what quality training their child gets in a life skill.
The financial burden of having a teen driver on your insurance is huge. The cost of high quality training is not a drop in the bucket. Parents need to balance that against the value of putting a well trained and prepared child on the road where a single mistake can mean injury or death.
How much did the football, cheerleading, dance, soccer, baseball, basketball training cost? Was the consequence of inadequate training potentially death at an early age?
i am 14 years old and i am driving, off road anyway, i think the legal age should be lowered, we need to learn at an early age.
Based on information about brain development, 14 is too young to begin learning how to drive. Driving on busy streets requires a lot of skill and decision making skills. However, I do believe we should have teenagers begin learning to drive at 15 and increase the holding period for 2 years so that a young person has 2 years of practice before they take to the roads as a licensed solo driver.
you are abit young mybro
im 13 started at 7 learning how to drive I know how to drive stick and automatic and my dad is a mechanic so I learned how to fix my car I think once your over 10 and you can pass the test I think u should be able to get your license.
There is much more to driving than the ability to maneuver a vehicle, which is something you can learn at an early age. It is the decision making and judgement that are a critical part of the driving process that requires more maturity than a 10 year old has. According to studies, the adolescent brain continues to develop through our 20’s.
I am 14 I know how to drive. I do drive but only in the country. I don’t think the driving age should be lowered because some teens have not reached maturity. We don’t need to learn at a young Age and teens use their cellphones too often.
thanks
i apreciate your comment
My friend learned at 10 and he is 12 and has a car
I don’t know of a state that legally allows a person to drive a vehicle at 12 years old.
that i agree
Many of the so-called experts are advocating that getting a permit to begin driver training should be delayed, some even suggesting 17 as the minimum age. Their arguments typically center around immaturity. While I agree that there are some teens that lack the desired level of maturity at 15, the same unfortunately is also true for some adults over the age of 35. think about it
I like the current driving age.
I agree with having more time for adult supervision. I agree that younger can possess ample skills for operating a vehicle, and the intelligence for learning the rules of the road and to pass the test. What I question is the level of maturity required to make a very safe decision in a tight situation that requires immediate action and good judgement. A maturity test is required.
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It is precisely why, if we provide young people a permit at age 15 and work with them for 2 years vs. the 6 months or 1 year most states require, it gives us more time to teach and work with them. This would help them develop the necessary skills, in particular, their judgement and decision making skills during that longer period of time. Once they are 17 they will have had 2 years of practice and experience to help them develop the maturity and decision making required to be a safe driver.
What about older people? There should also be a age limit if your to old to react in time that you should not be allowed to drive. Everyone just wants to blame teens no ones good at things when there just starting out.
I agree that the driving age should be lowered, but two years of driving with adult supervision!?!? After 6 months or a year of driving, what else is a parent going to teach their child?
Hi Mrs. Wojtczak, I am almost 15 and am doing a debate for school. The topic is ‘The drivers permit age should be lowered’.
could you give me a few reasons why it shouldn’t be?
Mrs. Wojtczak, I would also like the information requested above for a debate, if you are still active on this page at least. Thank you.
no
Hi Mrs. Wojtczak, I am almost 15 and am doing a debate for school. The topic is ‘The drivers permit age should be lowered’.
could you give me a few reasons why it shouldn’t be? My parents are teaching me how to drive in parking lots, and I can drive a riding lawnmower, but why cant I drive on real roads until I turn 15?
For me, at 18, the human brain is fully developed. From here the teen knows how to make decisions and is responsible for the actions taken, raising the age is the right thing to do.
There is a lot of research that indicates the human brain continues to develop well into our 20’s. For girls it is up to age 25 and for boys it can be up to age 29. There is also a good amount of data that indicates young drivers well into their 20’s continue to get into car crashes. One of the key contributing factors is that teens in the United states are not prepared to deal with the complexity of our roadways. In many cases, they have a cursory knowledge of the rules of the road and very little practice on roadways before they become licensed drivers. Studies have also indicated that countries, such as Germany, that have much stricter requirements have far less crashes than in the United States.
Oops! I didn’t mean to submit that twice! Sorry.
I personally believe the age should be higher, this result in less car crashes and prevent reckless teen driving.
Raisiing the age for licensing alone will not reduce the number of crashes on U.S. roadways. There is a lot of research that indicates the human brain continues to develop well into our 20’s. For girls it is up to age 25 and for boys it can be up to age 29. There is also a good amount of data that indicates young drivers well into their 20’s continue to get into car crashes. One of the key contributing factors is that teens in the United states are not prepared to deal with the complexity of our roadways. In many cases, they have a cursory knowledge of the rules of the road and very little practice on roadways before they become licensed drivers. Studies have also indicated that countries, such as Germany, that have much stricter requirements have far less crashes than in the United States.