Of course parents will answer that question differently than their children. Most youth are eager to drive at the earliest possible age because driving means fun and freedom. As parents, we’re more concerned about keeping them safe.
We know the human brain doesn’t fully mature until 25 and studies show 16 and 17 year-olds are much more likely to crash than 18 year-olds. So, at first glance, it seems better to wait until teens are older to begin driving.
However, when you look a little deeper, you realize that part of the reason younger teens are more likely to crash is because they have the least experience. If you move the novice age to 18, the 18-year olds are still inexperienced. The other huge factor is parental influence.
At 16, youth still live at home. This gives their parents a big opportunity to influence their driving by coaching, monitoring and supporting them. By 18, however, teens are getting ready to go off to college or move out of the house which means their parents have much less influence on them and how they drive.
That strong family support and foundation of good skills and responsible behaviors is important. That’s why 16 is really the best age for teens to learn to drive.
19 thoughts on “16 or 18? What’s the Best Age to Start Driving?”
I agree 16 is the best age.
I agree 16 is the best age.
I’m actually doing a debate about this topic. Thank you for giving us this information!
Because my dad died at 44 and I had to run the engineering business So I lied and passed my test at 15 to save taxi costs But I don’t advocate that For me it was exceptional circumstances However I drove very very carefully So worried about being found out!! So far I ve never caused any accidents and I’m now 75 However I ve 2 serious issues. Both times my life was saved by my not wearing a seat belt The 1st time I was 9 and I went straight through the windscreen so I was thrown clear The 2nd time I hadn’t realised that I hadn’t fastened it and was about to pull in when my car was hit in my door and I ended up in the passenger seat The car was written off My seat was completely crushed where I had been sitting It hasn’t stopped me wearing my belt but Sometimes I wonder if that’s happened to anyone else Take care Stay safe
I might not be old enough to drive yet but i want to learn still and I’m excited to learn to drive. My family already know they want me to know more about dri8 At a young age.
If u drive safely and not harshly the 16 is the best age so that when u reach 18 u are a perfect driver
Wait what about age 15?
Only in a minority of countries is it legal to drive at 16. Here in the UK the normal minimum age is 17; in many others it is 18.
You don’t address the matter of being in a position financially to learn to drive. I can’t see many 16-year-olds having a good source of income to pay for driving lessons and for a car (both purchase and running costs) when they get to that stage. Insurance especially is outrageously expensive for teenage drivers here. I still don’t know how all these 17-year-olds can afford it!
Kids have to be 16 or 17 above to drive
Actually at age 16 above can handdul draving
I think the best age to learn to drive at the age of 18 because you get more height where you sit and you can control the car more when turning and it’s much more better then to start learning to drive then at the age of 18 because your and especially, my parents want to wait until I am like 17, or 18 years old and then they will teach me to learn to drive.
I got my permit at 15. So I would say 16 is the best age as long as your parents set limits and keep teaching you as you get older for the big world.
It really depends on where you live
Can I drive at the age of 15?
i feels as if 16 is a great age to start driving.not just to help them but also to help their parents around the house.
Thanks for sharing your view.
I think that it should be 16 because for one 18-year-old’s don’t need their parent when they go somewhere (to a party or something). While 16-year-old’s need their parents so they’ll be there to make sure they don’t go to a party or anything to get into a crash. Also 16-year-old’s have better vision and pay attention more!
these 3 paragraphs explain alot about either driving at 16 or 18.they give really nice reasons and facts about what happens in the real world and how its like on the road