15 too young for drivers licence?

**Finn** · 7th August 2006, 11:22

I think the legal driving age should be 18 for males and 21 for females (because of their smaller brain).

What pisses me off is that the conference is in Queenstown. They just love wasting other peoples money don't they (retorical question). I always get nervous when any of our stupid agencies get together in one room. Nothing intelligent ever comes out of it.

**Kendog** · 7th August 2006, 11:23

My dad had a bad ticker and taught me to drive at about 12, just incase I had to rush him to the hospital (find the logic in that!).
We lived in the country so it was nothing for me at 13 to drive to the dairy or post office on my own in the ute. Touch wood I have only had one minor fender bender too.
We were all taught to drive tractors at very young ages (I was told my brother was about 5 when he started driving the tractor, slowly around the paddocks, propped up on a cushion and had to slide off the seat to reach the pedals).
But back to the topic, 15 does seem too young to be let loose on the roads in a death machine, geeze, I wouldn't want a 15 year old looking after my cat, let alone driving a car with me in it!! Just my opinion.
Mrs KD.

**crashe** · 7th August 2006, 11:38

Originally Posted by Finn

I think the legal driving age should be 18 for males and 21 for females (because of their smaller brain).

OI YOU !

**sels1** · 7th August 2006, 12:09

Originally Posted by crashe

I even busted my own daughter taking other passengers in her car as they all piled into her car after school... Yep I pulled up behind the car and hauled each and everyone out of the car. Yep My daughter was so pissed off at me... BUT I will not be having to tell the other kids parents that my daughter injured or killed someone else's child. I made each one promise me that they wouldnt get back in that car. They didnt either, I scared the shit out of them.
.

Good on you for doing that - wish more parents did.
I dont think the current licence process is that bad if it is done properly. It takes around 2 years to get a full licence so if you start at 15 then you are nearly 18 when you have your full. As one driving instructor said to me, 15yo kids are easier to control/influence than 18yo. And if they start driving at 15 with a parent alongside, by the time they get their full they should have had a couple of years supervised experiance. Too many parents know their kids are not keeping to their licence provisions and turn a blind eye. The cops dont seem to try too hard on this on either.
I taught my 3 kids to drive, all starting at 15. But I am a meanie like crashe - they had to stick to the letter of the law until they had their full. They were not allowed their own car until they had their full - and it would be a fate worse than death if they did anything silly in my car. I am happy to report they turned out safe and compent drivers.

**Squeak the Rat** · 7th August 2006, 12:14

My parents believed I was a safe, sensible and competent teenage driver too. Because I was whenever they were looking.

**sunhuntin** · 7th August 2006, 12:19

i cant drive a car and have no plans to learn. heck...i wouldnt even know how to start one! but i can top up oil, water, tyres, petrol. lol. i didnt get my bike license till i was over 20 [last year] and am still on my learners. 15 is way too young.....way too young. although, to get the experience of how a road works, they should start out at 15/16 on a 50cc scooter...no bigger. they would still have a car learners, so mum or dad could still take them out, but they should have to spend time on 2 wheels. and then, go for restricted/full at 17 or so, or whenever they feel ready.

**McJim** · 7th August 2006, 12:31

I think children should all start on bicycles. Then we'll see less obesity problems too.

Oh my god - listen to me - I've turned into an angry old fart!

**Motu** · 7th August 2006, 12:31

I'd like to think that 15 is not a problem,it never has been before.But like Jim2 I think we have bred a generation who will never fail a test,will never be in the wrong,and never have to take consequences for their actions.They will never get hurt because all the hazzards have been identified and proceedures put in place.

I taught both my girls to drive,and they have come out ok.I don't think my eldest is too hot shit a driver - but she did survive 4 years as an inner city urgent courier and only wrote off one car,so I think she has a grasp of the situation.My younger daughter is a very good driver,got her licence on her 15th birthday.I remember when she was on her learners and she'd be yakking away 90 to the dozen as she does....and we'd be comming up to a roundabout and I'd be getting really nervous.Like...um,girl....we are going into this intersection! But no worries,I noticed she had been checking traffic all around her,was aware of where every car was and what she was about to do,I was pretty impressed.But I think she's had more prangs than her older sister.

So I'm happy with 15 for my own family - but for everyone else....18 for you lot.

**crashe** · 7th August 2006, 12:32

Originally Posted by sels1

Good on you for doing that - wish more parents did.
I dont think the current licence process is that bad if it is done properly. It takes around 2 years to get a full licence so if you start at 15 then you are nearly 18 when you have your full. As one driving instructor said to me, 15yo kids are easier to control/influence than 18yo. And if they start driving at 15 with a parent alongside, by the time they get their full they should have had a couple of years supervised experiance. Too many parents know their kids are not keeping to their licence provisions and turn a blind eye. The cops dont seem to try too hard on this on either.
I taught my 3 kids to drive, all starting at 15. But I am a meanie like crashe - they had to stick to the letter of the law until they had their full. They were not allowed their own car until they had their full - and it would be a fate worse than death if they did anything silly in my car. I am happy to report they turned out safe and compent drivers.

Yep I even made her be home by 10pm or I took the keys off her... for a week. She soon learnt to be home by 10pm. She would pull into the driveway at 1 minute to 10pm.
She only got her license early cos of the job she was doing. Working til after 9pm and I was having to go and collect her on cold wet raining nights.
Her car was under my name and my insurance until she got her full license, that way I had control over the use of the car.
She was taught throu a driver instructor..

**Korea** · 7th August 2006, 12:36

Here it is:
Smoking and drinking are set at 18, right? At 18 people should be responsible enough to handle their smokes and booze.

It just follows that people should be given the responsiblity to drive at 18 as well.

Now here's the kicker:
Young drivers seem to be completely unaware of other road users, including motorcycles.
So... I propose that car licences should be reserved for 18+ BUT motorcycle licences may still be obtained at 15!

This makes perfect sense: We all know that motorcyclists have a morbid fear of death, so we are constantly aware of what is going on all around us (well some of us, anyway). We look out for other road users because we HAVE TO in order to stay alive.
If kids can choose between a 250cc bike at 15 or a car at 18, we're going to see more young riders learning basic road skills on bikes, and consequently more knowledgable, safer road users later in life when they graduate to a car licence.

C'mon, you KNOW it makes sense...

**Ixion** · 7th August 2006, 12:47

I go against the trend. I was riding at 14, and I reckon the age to LEARN should be reduced to 14. For a < 125cc motorcycle (with some HP , power/rate limits too, to keep the Cagivas out). Or car learners , with a parent or guardian ONLY in the car (not mates, boyfriends etc) . Restricted not till 18. And limited to urban areas, 50kph,with time limits, no motorways. Oh, and have to keep a logbook, for producing to the cops when they apply for their restricted. Signed off by parent or guardian

Reason I support this is that a 14 year old is still biddable. By 17 or 18 the youthful rebellion has set in. At 14, they'll listen to Mum or Dad (well, Dad, anyway). At 17, they know everything.

But: One (only one) breach of any rules and they lose completely their "early access" , and have to wait till 18 to start again! I reckon they'd be pretty careful. Know I would have, even at 15!

EDIT: I also think that testing should be given back to the cops.

**SPman** · 7th August 2006, 13:16

Agree with Ixion. Driving at 12, licence at 15.Ive known several 15 yo drivers who are really good and serious about the whole deal. Saying that - the generations seem to have changed and lots of people out there now are stupider at 18 than we were at 12!

**Indiana_Jones** · 7th August 2006, 13:17

I'd like to say 15, but I don't think kids (espically my generation and younger lol) can't handle the responsibility.

18 sounds better if you ask me

-Indy

**inlinefour** · 7th August 2006, 13:43

Originally Posted by Big McJim

Or is it just a Pom having a whinge?

Definitely a whinger, dunno about nationality though...

**McJim** · 7th August 2006, 13:50

Originally Posted by inlinefour

Definitely a whinger, dunno about nationality though...

Yeah - I don't know what nationality Kate McMahon is - just assumed she was a Pom coz of being 'The former head of Britain's Road Safety Strategy Department'.....Oh I see - you thought it was me that was whinging.

Fair enuff - I just thought you might like to see what a foreign expert thinks of the legislation here. Mind you looking at the poll most kiwis seem to agree with her....