Would you let your 16 yr old be driven to the show with another teen driving?

[chellfairy]

Okay, first, in our state we have what is called a graduated drivers license, it has 3 levels. The first level, teens cannot drive without parent. On the second level, a teen can only drive with one other teen in the carNo more than one, under 21-year-old passenger UNLESS: Passenger is an immediate family member Driving with a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult over 21 Traveling to, from, or in the course of employment Traveling to or from an authorized activity Cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. UNLESS: Driving with a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult over 21 years Traveling to, from, or in the course of employment Traveling to or from an authorized activity (authorized activity means to or from a school related activity.) More than once, my dd asked if she could go out with one of her friends driving, and 3 other passengers. They want to go to the movies. I have said no. My husband disagrees. He thinks we should allow her, that it will teach her independence. I think we should not allow her, it will teach her to follow rules. Right now, dh and dd are acting as if I am ruining her life. Would you let your kid go?

[Not_A_Native]

Well -we have graduated licenses here as well, but it's slightly different.  So, after the first 6 months driving (up to age 18) they can have up to 3 others in the car with them (unrelated), so my answer HERE would (and has been) yes.  They can't be driving between 1 and 5 am until they're 18.

Personally (it's a bit confusing) but your law sounds quite harsh.  What state are you in?

[joshlor2]

I agree with you! If you let them believe they can ignore the law now your setting them up to always think they don't have to follow the law.

[momofne]

No I wouldn't. Sorry hubby.

[mrs_sunshine]

I wouldn't either.

[boys2men2soon]

Quoting Not_A_Native:

Well -we have graduated licenses here as well, but it's slightly different.  So, after the first 6 months driving (up to age 18) they can have up to 3 others in the car with them (unrelated), so my answer HERE would (and has been) yes.  They can't be driving between 1 and 5 am until they're 18.

Personally (it's a bit confusing) but your law sounds quite harsh.  What state are you in?

Same here.

[PinkieRed]

I second the other moms who said no. Statistics show that teens who drive with other teens in the car, especially with two or more other teens, are far more likely to drive recklessly or get distracted, and get into an accident. And what happens if the police pull over your daughter's friend, while she's ignoring the law, by driving with a bunch of other teens in the car? That wouldn't be a good experience for any of them.

Some stats:

http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html

http://www.rd.com/family/dangerous-teen-drivers/

[bizzeemom2717]

No, esp if it is illegal. If her friend driving in our state did that in the first 6 months after obtaining their license (if they are under 18) she would face a stiff fine and possibly lose her license. Why put yourself or your friend in that position?

[shelleyragsdale]

No, I agree with you 100%...

[fammatthews4]

I agree with you. If the teen driving would be breaking the law by having more than one teen in the car at a time, then no your daughter doesn't need to go with her.

[Manth]

If the law states that a teen can't drive with that many (unrelated) passengers of teen years then it is what it is.  While going out with friends WILL foster your daughter's independence and could be a Good Thing, encouraging your daughter to break the law is not a good thing at any time.  If possible, maybe you could take her yourself to the movies and let her meet up with her friends there, as that would also foster some independence of spirit without having her break the law.

But when all is said and done, missing a few movie outings with friends is not going to damage your daughter regardless of what she thinks.  If that was the law here (and it's not) then I wouldn't be letting my daughter go either.