My 15-year-old daughter is daydreaming about growing up, so the activity on the top of her list  now is learning to drive.  The idea makes my heart flutter.

Here in North Carolina driver education is taught through the school system, so high school students can sign up for after school classes as well as sessions during the summer. Seeing those drivers education cars in the school parking lots makes the kids hungrier to get behind the wheel of a car.  Most states have removed drivers education from the schools.

I read the news stories and statistics about teen driving accidents just like other parents. Putting teenagers on the road is risky for them and us. Teenagers in North Carolina can get a learners permit at age 15 and a provisional license at 16. The provisional license restricts them to driving with only one other person younger than 21, not using cell phones while driving and driving unsupervised only during certain hours. Teens can get a full license at age 18, but only if they haven’t had any driving violations.

Even with these restrictions, the thoughts of my daughter driving before she turns 25 (only kidding) makes me anxious. So far, she is only talking about driving but she hasn’t taken any steps yet to figure out the process for getting into a class. Plus, I’ve told her that we won’t even discuss the possibility unless she maintains solid grades in school.

The day is  coming, faster than I want it to, when my daughter will be a teen driver. How are you dealing with this rite of passage for your children? If you’ve already been through the experience, I certainly would appreciate some advice.

By the way, my daughter has a favorite car, a Nissan 370Z coupe. (see attached picture)  Do I need to worry?

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