Taking a Poll: Highschoolers Who Drive?

I have a 16 year old going on to 17. He has had the driver's manual since 15. He has to know how to drive before he gets a car, and has not read the manual or acted interested in learning how to drive.

My son isn't in high school yet, but it's unlikely he'll have a car of his own till he needs one (and that will be when he lives off campus at collage). I didn't have a car till I needed one to commute to collage (I couldn't afford to live away from home). My husband got one in collage. There's no reason to spend the money on it till they can help earn part of the cost and when they really need independent transportation.

Hi there!

My daughter got her drivers license shortly after her 16th birthday and drover herself to school since last year. Yes, we got her a car....a nice new one (we both drive free company cars). She will probably start working soon but hasn't due to her sports and activity schedule. It makes life so much easier!! Good luck!

I did not have a car in high school. I wish my school had offered driver's ed, because it took me a couple of years after getting my learner's permit to be confident enough to pass the test. I did get to practice by driving to and from school with my mom in the car, and driving alone to church once in awhile. For most of college I didn't have a car either, just took the city buses. I doubt that I would have made enough money to pay for the car, insurance and gas while focusing on college.

Wow, lots of answers and many viewpoints.

Here's what we do (and a possible answer for anyone who wonders why I pay for most gas and insurance).

We bought a used car: It has some maintenance issues, but runs well. It's not trashed, it is a '91 and the interior is impeccable, the exterior is nice too. We let our son know that it is our car, but he can use it and he will help with the maintenance.

We put him through driver's ed. We also enrolled him in a defensive driving course, and he has to maintain his 3.0 grade average.

We pay the insurance now, with the understanding that should he get a speeding ticket or in an accident he will be paying the difference in the rates.

As for gas, we pay for most of it. Here's why: My son is waivered into his school (it has a better band program than the school in our boundaries) so there is no bus for him. We have to drive him. Last year we made as many as 4 trips a day (sometimes more for extra events). Our location is on a hill and we have to go down steep hills, which was taking a toll on our good vechicle's brakes, plus the wear and tear of 4 round trips; drop off at school, back home, pick up from school, back home, drop off at band, back home, pick up from band, back home.

It is saving us money having him drive himself. However, if he goes out to meet friends or drives anywhere else, he has to fork over gas money (even if the tank is full - he pays us, the price depends on location).

We have 9-year-old twin boys who think the car is my son's. They were mentiong that we'd have to get two cars when they start driving. I laughed. I reminded them that they will be going to the same school so we are not sending two vehicles to the same location. Plus, they may attend the one in our boundaries with bus service. We'll see. But, they have had to learn that all things are not equal (and let me tell you that is hard to teach with twins).

That's just what we do. I wouldn't worry about setting a standard that you have to maintain for each child. Dfferent personalities, different needs, and different economic times can have an impact on driving status. My neighbor's daughter doesn't even want to drive. She is a senior and has no interest.

We gave the oldest our older car when we were ready to buy a new one instead of trading it in. It wasn't really his. He was responsible for gas money and we had a contract for him to sign with rules if he wanted to be able to continue to drive it. We let him drive it until the younger one needed it more and then told him he would have to now buy his own car. He did and he is paying it off. We paid insurance until he was out of school and had a job where he could afford it.

Everything doesn't have to be the same for every kid. It depends on the situation at the time. We made sure the boys knew they didn't own the car. It was being lent. Our name was on the title.

I've completely changed my mind about his. I worked during high school and purchased my own car, paid my own gas and insurance. I had to have a car to work, we lived out in the country and I had to drive to get to work. I never intended on buying my kids cars. Life has a way of changing things and as my oldest is turning 16 in a month we have a car waiting for him. I actually cannot wait for him to get his license and to be able to drive. He'll be on our insurance which we'll pay and he'll pay the difference if his grades drop. He is very responsible and while he doesn't have a job, he would love to have one. He does extra work (very physical) around and helps me with my business to earn extra $$. My husband has physical limitations and while he can drive, he cannot walk very far without assistance and I have to do 95% of all driving. I will appreciate having another driver to assist me with errands etc.

I was given a new to me but used car when I was 16, but had to pay my own gas and I think insurance. My husband had to buy his first car from his mom and pay for everything himself.

But due to circumstances within our family we have chosen to do things a little differently with our children. Their first priority is to be a student and a good one! We don't want the distraction of a job for gas and insurance. They are NOT given a new car but it was my husbands old car when he got a new one. We give them a monthly allowance which should cover their gas since we do not have a bus option and they have to drive themselves. We also pay their insurance but if they do not get the good student discount, they have to pay the difference.

I am in high school right now. I just got my first car last month. My mom and I got a loan from the bank to get the car, and I make the monthly payments on the loan myself. I pay for some of the insurance and my parents pay for some of the insurance. I pay for my own gas, but if I have to take my sister's somewhere for my mom she gives me gas money.

My brother and I were both given cars around our 16th birthdays. Both cars were used. It let us drive to school and also to sports practices, save our parents hours of driving us around. Our parents paid for insurance, but we paid for gas most of the time.

My oldest (19) was given a car by his dad at 16, it had been his dad's car that he gave him when ready to by a new one. My son has always paid for his gas and insurance. My daughter is 16, she does not have her license because I can't afford the insurance easily. Told her once she had a job we would get her license but she has to pay gas and ins. She has a savings acct and some money toward a car, if I get a bonus this year I will probably help her buy a used car (cash only no financing). My 19 year old will be leaving for boot camp in December and it will help me out if she can drive (she will be 17 by then). I still have an 11 year old and it will totally depend on how responsible he is by then and my financial situation at the time.

My parents paid my insurance until I moved out on my own. But I bought and paid for my own car. My mom gave me the gas credit card until my dad saw the bill and took it away :). Then I paid for it myself. If my husband and I are in the right position, we will pay for it all. Because their focus will be on school and their activities (big into dance, football, and Tae Kwon Do already). But if they work a part-time job, their gas will be their only bill on the car. Though we do plan to have htem pay a portion of the car payment, that we will put into savings, but just to teach them responsibility with the vehicle. They will get the money when it is paid off.

My daughter is allowed to drive to school since she has cheerleading practice after school. If her grades slip below a 3.0 she rides the bus and i pick her up after practice. Her older sister doesn't drive so she rides with her sister to school but rides the bus home. We pay for the insurance as she is added on our policy and we provide one of our cars for her to use. She does pay for gas. If they don't have a 3.0 gpa they can't get their license at 16. School is their job first and foremost in our house.

Unless we move my kids will walk to High School (it's 2 blocks from the house). However, when I was in HS my parents bought a used car for my sister and I. We lived out in the "boonies" and we were both very involved in school and church activities. Our parents worked full time and weren't always available to drive us around. The arrangement we has was this: our parents owned the car and we earned the privilege to drive it. They maintained liability insurance on it. At the beginning of each month we sat down with our parents and went over the activities and estimated mileage. They would pre-pay a gas card for that amount and if we went over we had to pay the gas or ride the bus. If our grades dropped below a 3.0 then we lost the car privilege. I got grounded from the car for 2 weeks when my parents found out I went out of town without permission. I learned my lesson quickly and never went out of boundaries again! It can be a powerful tool if used wisely. Good luck.

So my kids are 1.5 years and still in the oven :) However, I thought I would share what my parents did. There were 3 of us, and they bought us a very elderly car (I joked with my friends that the car was old enough to drink!). This car was owned by my parents and for kid usage while we were at home. This meant that my older brother got to use it, and then when I started driving, we shared, and so forth. My dad filled the tank 1 time per week, which was basically only enough gas to get us to and from school fro the week. We went to school out of our district, so who ever drove to school had to drop off all of us (we were at 2 different schools for a while). We had to coordinate schedules with eachother and come up with extra gas money for extra trips into town (my parents live out in the middle of no where). If we could not coordinate the sharing of the car peacably, then my parents reserved the right to revoke all driving privilages. When we went to college, the car stayed home for use with the kids who were at home. Basically, my parents said that the car was for the use of kids who lived with them, made good grades, and could work together like grownups. It worked pretty well, and when my little brother moved out, my parents sold the car. We have all bought our own cars since then.

My parents did cover insurance, but they only had liability insurance because the car was worth so little. They also told us that this was a one chance deal - any tickets or wrecks meant we could find our own car with our own insurance and gas.

Good luck!!!

I don't have kids, but can tell you that when I was in high school, I paid for my own gas and my parents paid for my insurance. My car was a hand me down from my dad (that my brother drove as a hand me down before I got it), so it was very old and not in great shape. Since you do have so many more kids to go through, I'd recommend getting a gently used, fairly newer model car that can last through several teenagers. If two (or more) of them are driving age at the same time, make them responsible for working out a fair schedule of who gets to use the car and when.

K.
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We pay her insurance, which did not add that much since she is an excellent student and is not here except for a few months a year and does not have a car up at college. She pays for gas.

My parents were divorced and I had a younger sister, so as soon as I was old enough, I got a job and started saving money. My mother told me she would match the amount I saved to purchase a car. We purchased a used car. My mom paid the insurance, I paid for all repairs, upkeep and gas. I drove and picked up my sister everyday to and from her school. I ran errands for my mom.

When our daughter got her license, we let her use our family car. She was very studious and did not really run around in a car. At that time is when the gas was $4.00 per gallon, so many of her friends would pick up each other and our daughter was happy to give them $20 - $25. for gasoline.

She is now in college 2000 miles away and does not need a car at college.. They have excellent public transportation. This summer she has been using my car a lot more than ever and is happy to run all of my errands and has been great about giving me a heads up for the days she would like to borrow the car.

We purchased a brand new car this summer and have not told her but we are considering giving her the car once she graduates and gets a job. She will take over the payments and then we will purchase our next car.. We will see how it goes at that time.

I was given my parents van when I was 17 (lol), I paid for my own gas AND insurance. By the time my sister was of age to drive, she opted out, I guess she had enough friends to drive her around, I think she didn't want the financial responsibility of a car. Shes almost 22 now and still doesn't care to drive. My brother is 18 and was given my mothers car. He doesn't pay for gas or insurance, but perhaps my parents just care more about his grades, as he is an EXCELLENT student.

I was given use of my parents' van when I turned 17. I did not get my own car until I graduated from college. I did often drive myself to school in the van, though, since it was my parents' "extra" car. I was responsible for all of the gas for the van, but as long as I kept my grades at As and Bs, I did not have to pay insurance (my parents' insurance plan had a discount for honor students). My brother actually did get his own (used) car in high school, which I resented as the eldest (I was still driving the van around, so I guess it wasn't available for his use), but my parents made it up to me later by helping me buy my first car, which was new. ^_^ Good luck.

I was child # 5 in my family. I started driving to school regularly when I was 17. Up until then I walked or got dropped off by older brothers (who were going to college). We had a "teenage" car. My parents made it clear that this was their car. By the time I was 17, I was the only teenager left so I basically had the car to myself. They let me drive this car all through college - by then my little brother was 16 and he got the car. Some years later, after I was married and had a baby, my parents gave us this car. We drove it until it was 15 years old!

Now my daughter is 15. We are in a different financial situation than my parents. We also live two blocks from high school (big reason we chose this house!) so there is no need for her to drive on a daily basis. She will take drivers ed next summer - then I plan on having a good year with just the learners permit. I will have her to drive when we are together - then when I am comfortable with her skills will allow her to borrow my car on occasion.

I will not have her buy her own insurance or gas. School is very demanding and I want her to be involved in extra curricular activities. If her grades drop - we will cancel the insurance and she wont drive.

I am a firm believer that they should have their OWN insurance and pay for both the insurance and gas. They want the reposibility of a car then they should pay for themselves. Sad to say but in todays world ppl are sue happy. I would have them get their own insurance and in their name. God forbid if something happens you could loose your home and everything that you have. If the insurance is in their name what do they own? You need to protect yourself and them. I had a friend who put her son on their insurance and he got into an accident. They lost everything cause the person sued them. The insurance didn't cover everything and they had to sell their house to cover the rest. They also took his college fund to cover some of it. So be careful and protect yourself. It's a ugly world out there and if you are not careful it could bite you in the butt. I was told by a insurance carrier to make them have their own and they cannot touch your assets cause they were covered themselves. Just a little word of advice. Good Luck!

In my family, my brother got a used car his junior or senior year of HS. He didn't have a job so I assume my parents paid for gas and insurance. When I was in HS, I got a car when I was a senior and they paid for insurance and gas but when I was working in the summer, I contributed to gas (don't remember how much per week). My sister just got a BRAND new car and has to pay $50 a month towards insurance (during the summer while working) and my parents give her gas money.

When my children are old enough, I'd like to either provide a used car for them or at least provide some money towards a used car. I would also pay for gas / insurance with the understanding that IF they are working (during summer/school breaks) that they contribute. Since our kids are 2 years apart, the older one will be responsible for driving/picking her younger brother to/from school once she starts driving. Then when he turns 16 and she is 18, we'll either give him her car (depending on where she goes to college) or do the same with him. I do think it's important that they provide at least some sort of money towards a car so that they have more appreciation of it.

personally, I wish kids weren't allowed to drive until they were at least 21 and only with proof that they have logged MANY hours with a driving instructor...

It depends on what works for your family. When I was in high school i had my own car, I also worked 40 hours per week and made my own payments, gas, and insurance.

my daughter is too young, but I paid for my own car, gas and insurance. driving is a privelege not a right :) The only thing is if your child is involved in a lot of afterschool activities and doesnt have time for a part time job then maybe you could work out someone he/she could do around the house to earn gas/insurance money

Our oldest has a car (he's 18) that we pay for totally, even his gas. He is very responsible, and we can afford it. He is not in school anymore, but spends 3 days at his mentor's house (which is why he needs a car). He also runs errands for me constantly. We want him to save his money to be able to set up a household someday (no rush). We would rather have him be able to set up a home without debt than have him pay for these things now. Our next one is 16. He still has a permit. We are not in a rush to get his license because it will cause our insurance to go up. He is also not quite as responsible as his brother, although he is coming along nicely. :) We will move to that next step when it seems appropriate with him. We will do all of these things catered to the individual child, not some blanket rule. Also, we homeschool, so there isn't a need for transportation that others might have. BTW, if a child gets a speeding ticket, it is all on them, including any increase in insurance premiums at that point. We also keep tabs on the bank accounts so that we know if spending is happening out of the savings accounts. Our oldest owns his own business, so he has a good income, but he is expected to save most of it (he has not expenses). He can spend some, but just not a lot of it. We're all sacrificing to set him up well later. HTH

I am surprised that so many parents give their kids a car or pay for insurance, gas etc. Really,why does a teen need a car? My oldest just turned 16 and he has his learners permit. He has done some driving but will be taking drivers education this fall. I will not buy him a car, but I will let him have some access to mine, once he has his actual drivers license. We will likely split paying the insurance and he will have to pay some for gas. He has been talking for awhile about buying his own car, but he is bad at saving money, he has worked 30-40 hours a week all summer. Half of his paychecks have gone to his education fund, and he has spent the rest... He needs to learn more financial responsibility before having his own car.

Our kids did not have their own cars until after college. If there was a car available for them to drive, sometimes they drove to school.

What happened to biking or walking? It's good exercise.

When I was in high school (10 years ago) I bought my own car, well truck (for $1200), gas and insurance. My sister who came along 8 years later didn't pay for anything--so I think family situations have a big impact on how this is figured out.

They should pay their gas and insurance.....the more you pay for things in their teenage years, the more they expect it to continue beyond highschool...and they are good manipulators without you even knowing! "M., i need money for gas, I'm so broke!" yet they eat fast food every day....or party or buy toys like motorcycles.....i see it with ALL my friends who have spoiled and paid everything for their kids, they have created monsters and these monsters just expect more and more!! While i've made my kids pay for their things, it's taught them valuable lessons, lessons that they need to learn before they are out there on their own in the adult world.

I have a 16 & a 13 - both sons.

16 yr old does not drive yet. We do not approve of teens driving until they can afford a "beater" car (or better if they have the money!) AND the insurance.

Good luck.

My parents weren't big fans of consistancy. I was not only not allowed to get my licence until I was 17, but also had no access to a car, much less one of my own. I bought my first car myself at 17, but I was already in the USMC and 3000 miles from home. My closest sister had a new car on her 16th birthday she drove home after getting her licence, and to this DAY my parents still pay for her insurance and buy her gas for her. My brother was given my mum's (5yo) car, and she got a new one... and he paid for both gas and insurance. The rest of my sibs either got hand me down cars or my parents paid for 1/2 of any car they picked out. They were also responsible for paying for their own gas and insurance.

My son is only 8. NO idea what we'll do when the time comes. I think we'll probably go 1/2 and have him be responsible for gas and insurance... but you know "planning" and kids. It's a whole different ball game when the time actually comes. So we'll see.

My 17 yr old saved $1500 toward her 1st car. I told her I would match whatever she saved. She used that as a down on her own car. She makes the payments, and pays her dad for the insurance. She buys her own gas, but I often fill her up - cuz I know how hard it is to be a kid, working. ALL her $ goes to her car. And now that she has a job, her dad stopped paying for things and giving her $ because he thinks - "you've got a job now, you can pay for yourself." But 100% of what she makes goes to car pymts, insurance, oil changes, minor repairs, and gas. I guess it's a good lesson in real life.

My daughter is only 4 1/2, but when I was in high school, my parents got us cars, insurance, & gas (3 kids).

The cars were used, nothing fancy. After the first car, we were on our own :)

Though technically the cars still belonged to my parents, titles in their names.