son learn to drive?
Your son can learn to drive when he is seventeen and in possession of a provisional driving licence. He will have to be accompanied by a licenced driver over the age of eighteen until he passes his driving test, after which he can drive alone legally.
Driving ages vary around the world, ranging from seventeen to eighteen in most European countries (sixteen on the Isle of Man), to sixteen in Canada, fifteen in New Zealand and South Africa, and even fourteen for learners in some states in the US (although you normally have to be sixteen to pass a driving test and get a full licence).
Your child can use an electrically assisted pedal cycle at fourteen, and drive a moped, a small agricultural tractor or a small mowing machine at sixteen. Disabled teenagers can often be allowed to drive at age sixteen, rather than waiting until seventeen.
My daughter falls below the height restrictions for doing without a car booster seat. Does she need to use one?
You are referring to a new UK law, which applies to children over the age of three and up to either 1.35 m (4 ft 6 in) in height or the age of twelve. So if your daughter is eleven and small for her age (under the requisite height), she will need to use a car booster seat. Not surprisingly, this may be a huge source of embarrassment to her. You may help to ease the blow by covering a regulation booster seat with a trendy fabric, applying stickers or even hiding it beneath a car blanket. Explain the reasons for the law (safety, obviously), and that you are powerless to do much about it. Encourage her to say that she feels more comfortable being higher up and that the seat belt fits better. In other words, give her lots of comeback if she feels that she might be teased.
When should I allow my son to drive on his own after getting his licence?
Legally, he can start the moment he gets his licence, whether you approve or not. You can, however, help to make sure that he develops safe and responsible driving skills. First of all, don’t palm off all the driving lessons on to a professional. Get involved as much as you can, even if it causes your hair to turn white! What’s more, when your child is a passenger in your car, drive safely and carefully, and point out why you do things a certain way.
When should I allow my son to drive on the motorway?
When your son passes his driving test and gets his full licence, he can drive on the motorway legally. There have been calls to make motorway driving and night driving (see below) a part of the examination process, as many new drivers have never experienced motorway driving before their first solo trip. In fact, learner drivers are not permitted to drive on the motorway, which seems rather self-defeating and dangerous.
It would be wise to have a few ‘motorway’ lessons with your new driver, with a little advance advice about speed, lane-changing, overtaking, using exits and slip roads, and then some practice time together. Agree on, say, four hours of supervised motorway driving before he does it on his own.
In Northern Ireland, once you have passed your driving test, you must display ‘R’ plates at the front and back of the vehicle for one year. You must not exceed the speed of 45 mph, which effectively rules out motorway driving. This seems abundantly sensible, and could be implemented on an informal basis in your own household.
Should I let my daughter drive alone at night when she’s just got her licence?
Many novice drivers’ accidents happen at night and it is possible to pass the driving test without ever having driven in the dark. New drivers should practise driving in the dark with parents in much the same way that they learn motorway driving (see above). Encourage your child’s instructor to offer a few lessons at night, too, on a variety of different roads with different lighting. The more practice, the safer she’ll be.
Can my child drive abroad?
If he has a full Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland driving licence, he can drive in any Economic European Area (EEA) country on this licence. An International Driving Permit is not required if he has a driving licence. If he wants to drive in a country outside the EEA, he may need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP). This will be issued if he has a full driving licence, and can be purchased from major post offices or through motoring organisations such as the AA or RAC.
How often should I let my child borrow my car?
This is an individual choice and must be negotiated on the basis of demand for the family car. While it may make sense for your child to get himself to and from various activities, thereby freeing up your time, if you find yourself stranded without transportation, it’s bound to breed resentment. Sensible ground rules for driving the family car include paying for their own petrol, contributing to the insurance (which is bound to increase with a new driver) and always asking permission.
At what age can children sit in the front passenger seat?
Over the age of three and with the appropriate child restraints, any child can sit in the front passenger seat. New car seat regulations may mean that your child will need a booster seat if he’s under twelve and/or small for his age. Anyone who sits in the front seat must wear a seat belt by law. It’s worth remembering that airbags can cause injuries to younger children, so if there is room in the back seat, make that your first choice. Drivers are legally responsible for making sure that children under fourteen years use seat belts or child restraints.
