So far none of our children have gotten their driver’s license until they were eighteen or older. That is pretty unusual when most teens drive as soon as they are legally old enough to do so. Our children would have liked to have driven at younger ages, but they had learned to value the income the Lord was giving them. They were making decisions based on the leading of the Lord and being good stewards of the finances He had given to them. Insurance is high for teens so until they needed to be able to drive – usually work related – they didn’t get their licenses.
Sometime before that point, Steve and I would decide it would be good for that teen to get his learner’s permit so that he would have plenty of driving experience with us before being on his own. With our insurance, a driver with a permit does not increase the insurance rates. That means the children can learn to drive without a financial impact to them.
We have appreciated the driving maturity in our children that comes with waiting two or three years beyond the legal driving age to get a driver’s license. Plus the children have saved a great deal of money on insurance by being patient and waiting for the need to arise before getting a driver’s license.
Recently Joseph (19) and John (18) purchased a used truck and trailer in order to begin doing some construction-type work together. The day after the house passed its final inspection in March, the boys went to get their drivers’ licenses.
Trusting in Jesus,
Teri
“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding†(Proverbs 5:1).
Thank you for this post. This is exactly how I feel regarding my children and driving. My children are ages 16, 15, 13 & I have gotten more criticism as to why the 16 year old doesn’t have a license yet and the 15 year old a permit. I will allow my 16 yo to obtain her permit when she turns 17 and have time to practice for at least a year and will follow this pattern with my other two children as well.
Thanks for such a great post!!!
I think this is very wise. I am going to share this with my husband. We have just started thinking about the whole driver’s training/license thing since our oldest will be eligible to begin driver’s training in about a year and a half. I especially think the more experience driving with a parent, the better. 🙂
Our oldest is 13, as we are approaching these older milestones I am always looking to families with older childen to see how God has led them through different decisions regarding their children. I was curious as to what income the childen have during their teen years. Do you do allowances? Or do they have jobs?
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When the children were very young we did an allowance of sorts. I kept track of the $1 or $2 a month I gave them. Then during Christmas or birthdays, they could take money out and buy a gift for family members. Even then it wasn’t much, but I wanted them to experience the joy of giving and being a part in that way. By the time they were 5 to 7 (I forget exactly when) we phased it out and they would then have the opportunity to earn money working on special projects for us or others.
None of the children have had the traditional jobs, such as flipping burgers etc. I feel the potential influences are very bad and something to be avoided.
In Christ Jesus,
Steve
I think that is so wonderful!! I didn’t get my license either until I was 18 – and to be honest, I am grateful that it was that way. I would be thrilled if my children were willing to wait until they needed to have one and I agree, it would definitely save them money on car insurance. 🙂 Congratulations on the vehicle and on the new licenses. 🙂 Have a great weekend…the Lord is good!!!
Blessings,
Carl and Vania
Thank you for this post, and I completely agree. I have always felt strongly about young people being at least 18 before they’re driving (or even later if they’re not ready at 18). My son is 17 and has a learner’s permit, but isn’t driving yet – – although he is a bright, responsible young man, he’s just not quite ready to drive (which he is okay with!). However, I’ve received some “comments” from others questioning our decisions, but we must do what we feel is right. ~ Thanks for posting the cute picture of your boys with their new truck. Congratulations to them!
Blessings, Patti 🙂
I so appreciate your viewpoint! It simply mystifies me how “conventional wisdom” (an oxymoron, perhaps???) demands that people automatically enjoy a privilege just because they have managed to eat and grow for sixteen years!
On a personal note, a couple of years ago we lost two (yes, two) close family members in a car accident because they were run off the road by a young person. The police determined the young person was driving under the influence of alcohol, and thank God, walked away unhurt. But what a difference it would have made if the parents had decided to have a higher standard than the man-made one.
our children too were at least 18 before they got their driver’s license. in fact, our youngest son was 19 and beginning his sophmore year in college (wsu) which is 5 hours from home. we decided it was easier for him to drive home than for us to keep going to get him so that summer he took the test. we had also just bought a new truck and passed our old truck onto him.
i do not understand why a 15 or 16 year old needs to be driving. i see them on the streets here talking on their cell phone and it’s hard to watch. i think some parents think it’s easier if their 16 can drive themselves places and probably drive their sibblings around too. not unlike we thought it was easier for our 19 year old, but he was 19 (in fact turned 20 that august) and there is a maturiey difference between a 16 and 19/20 year old.
our 29 year old prefers to ride his bike everywhere and in fact sold his car, a cute little bmw, to me a few years ago. when he needs a car he rents one, but day to day he rides his bike through the city. he lives in nyc.
good post. thank you for speaking up about this. blessings.
This same strategy worked for our 2 older children. We let them drive for a year on a learner’s permit with no extra charge through our insurance. Our s-t-b 19 year old drove on a learner’s permit for 2 years–we let it expire/took the test again and was able to drive a second year. We also required them to save their money to pay for their car in full, plus have money for their “own” insurance. Just makes them more responsible and appreciative for what they’ve worked hard for.
Glad to see someone else is on the “same page” as my husband and I. 🙂
What a wonderful viewpoint on driving. We practice it and it does work. The value of a hard earned dollar goes a long way in preparing boys to be men 🙂
I agree, great picture of the guys with their new truck!
~Cinnamon
My son is almost 17 and has a permit, but not a license. It is a comfort to me to know that by the time he does get it he will have had 2 + years of supervised driving before he is “let go”.