to imagine your Ds or Ds driving filling you with absolute dread!

[RockYourSocksOff]

Ds is only 11 but he comments on other drivers quite often be it not using their indicators, not putting their hand up when I’ve let them pass (yep, understandable) having a dodgy number plate blocking junctions etc etc (possibly his Df coming out in most of these observations!

My question is, the thought of Ds being behind the wheel of a car is making me break out in a cold sweat now! I can’t begin to imagine when you feel confident that your offspring will be absolutely fine and dandy driving around our lovely roads.

Do you ever stop worrying?

He sounds like he has a very sensible, turned on approach to the road!

Unlike my dd, who is consistently trying to persuade me to overtake or go faster - the thought of her driving terrifies me!

I'm scared shitless for when my DS takes to the road (he's 18yo and has his Provisional) he is the most un-aware , unobservant person ever.
I ask him things like "What d'you see here, what do you need to be aware of? Who has right of way" when we're driving, he's

I will not ever ever teach him to drive BTW, he needs someone completely independant. He's made vague mutterings because a lot of his friends drive. But so far , no inclination to have lessons.

He's had a few Young Driver lessons since he was 12yo and really enjoyed them and handles the car really well, but they're in a car-park not on the road.

When he does start to drive , I will be

Gracie, glad it’s not just me. I just can’t imagine it, ever!

70, you must be hoping he doesn’t pass for some time. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you

My DT’s learnt to drive in London when they were 17. For the first few lessons I counted the minutes until their lessons were over. Thankfully both seem to have good awareness of what is around them on the road and both passed first time before they were 18. They are both now at Uni and have their cars there. We got them some motorway lessons before they started driving to and from Uni - although they don’t come home very often!

I have one just learning to drive and one who passed his test a year ago. I deal with the whole learning to drive thing by delegating it all to dh. Thankfully, my current car (I've just changed cars) is automatic so no point in then learning in that. My last car was a 7 seater so not practical to learn in and more expensive to insure them.

They do their lessons in his car, he supervises their practice sessions etc. I did one or two for ds and it was terrifying! Haven't done any for dd yet but she'll be even more terrifying.

It is really scary! DD2 turned 17 8 weeks ago and has been having driving lessons. She's not terrible and is definitely improving, but it can be very unnerving the way other people behave. She had a 2 hour lesson after school yesterday, then this morning drove into our nearest city for a regular commitment and home again. On the way home, a Range Rover driver was absolutely brilliant (I know!) giving her plenty of space and only overtaking her on the dual carriageway. He didn't get irate when she stalled at a junction.

However, more people drive like complete tits when they see the L plates. Last week, driving home from school (I work there), a woman shot out of a side road right in front of us then stopped to turn onto a forecourt without signalling. DD managed to stop and I leaned over and held my hand on the horn. The woman didn't give a shit. A mile down the road, another pillock pulled straight out in front of her. My DD is a fast learner - her hand was on the horn, but she left the V-signs to me. Both were older drivers, both need eye tests as the car has running lights which were on, and neither should still be driving.

Teach your DS defensive driving. I am trying to get DD to look ahead and think about what could go wrong. It's not ideal but better safe than sorry.

I have 1 who is currently learning. I've let him drive my car (after he'd had plenty of lessons) and it was nerve wracking at first. I started off in a car park to check his ability.

I still don't like the idea of him driving on his own, but I don't think he has plans to buy a car when he's passed his test.

I do worry when he goes out with a friend who has his own car. There are so many accidents with young male drivers 😕