When's the right age to teach your kid to drive a car?

@beamer88 (4259)
Philippines
February 2, 2011 2:28am CST
Once again, while my son and I were watching cartoons on TV, he asked me when I would teach him how to drive. In the cartoons we were watching, there was a kid about his age who drives not only a car, but also a motorcycle. I was actually thrilled and that my son wanted to learn to drive. I'm excited to teach him. But when is the proper time for him to learn how to drive?
2 people like this
7 responses
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
2 Feb 11
The age where the law allows & just send him to driving school? Hahaha!~That's what a driving school is for, isn't it? Haha!~!
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
2 Feb 11
Hmm...interesting. Then again responsibility is of utmost importance & still the law of the land prevails?
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
Yes, that's what driving schools are for. But I'm not sure if I'm gonna send him to one. I learned to drive when I was 12. My son's 7. And the youngest race car driver in the world is 10. Hmm...
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
14 Feb 11
As far as a car that would be legal to drive on the street, the right time to teach your son to do that would be when he gets his learner's permit to drive. However, there are children that race dragsters and go-carts and the time that would be appropriate to start teaching a child to drive one of those would be when they have a long enough attention span to be able to control all of the mechanisms that are required to drive safely.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
Yeah, I don't think I'd teach him if I feel that he's not mentally and emotionally ready for it.
@nyka08 (403)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
i think when it comes to driving cars on the road, the best time to teach him would be when he's in the legal age to drive. but if you're talking about taking a hobby of driving go karts and small cars for kids, i think the right time to teach him would depend on your assessment if he's ready. you have to take note if he's responsible enough and if he fully understands the consequences of his actions. if you find that he can't even do a simple task of doing his choirs at home, then he's not ready.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
Yes, driving really is a big responsibility. Well, according to the Guinness Book, the youngest professional car racer is a 10-year-old girl :)
@pogi253 (1596)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
Legal driving ages differ by country and naturally range from 14 to 21. I think the "right" age is the age at which you can effectively complete a driving course and pass a driving exam, which is different for everybody. People mature at unusual rates. I've been driving without accidents since I was 18, but I know people who had to redo their exams numerous times and still get into accidents all the time.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
That's true, legal age for driving differs per country. But I just want to teach him to drive probably by just going and forward and reverse or turning a little bit. I don't intend for us to go out on the streets.
@pastigger (612)
• United States
2 Feb 11
Well I would check in your area and see if there were any go cart places or the like and see how old he would have to be to dive one. I know here we have little they are called power wheel vehicles that the kids can drive and some kids are like 2 or 3 and they play with them. After I saw my daughter drive one for the first time I am thinking maybe when she is 30!! Just kidding. She is three now and I am sure would be better with more practice but right now she likes to go backwards as fast as she can. She almost ran me over a couple of times. If he shows an interest I would see what is available in your area and make sure to get lots of protective gear. Helmets and pad and whatever else he might need. But they do make little bikes and cars for little kids. So I would say 3 or 4 would be a good age. I would wait longer for my daughter as she is just a crazy driver right now!
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
I don't think we have one near my place. But I have considered that even when my son was still in preschool. Back then, each time I fetch him from school, I let him steer the car while I control the pedals. He likes cars. Thanks. I'll go check if they have a minimum age requirement.
• Philippines
3 Feb 11
It mostly depends on where you are. I think in certain states, a twelve-year-old kid can drive a tractor and heavy machinery already. I would suggest looking at a driving school to see whether your child is eligible. Also, movies can be deceiving. Try to check when your son could get his hands on a student license.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
15 Feb 11
I think it's 16 in our country. But the young kids I saw driving aren't Hollywood stuff. Some where even documented in the Guinness Book.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
2 Feb 11
The right age to teach your son to drive is when he reaches the legal age to drive. Teaching him too early will only tempt him to drive out on the road which might be against the law when he is an unlicensed driver.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
2 Feb 11
But there are Kart racers who are kids. Some even as young as my son and they drive professionally.