AIBU to worry DS is taking driving test too soon

[bedbugs]

Worrying that DH has entered DS into test too soon - they drive together but just not regularly enough - I had wanted to delay test to nearly 18 to give time for more practice - I am looking at RAC / government/ charity statistics on accidents in 17 year old boys and freaking out- what did you do?! DS keen to pass as we are rural- I understand that but think too soon why rush etc

If he’s not ready he’ll fail
his test. He’ll pass at some point and you’ll have to get used to him driving then.

I agree. The more driving they can do with someone experienced the better. The long the better. They might have the skills to pass the test, but that is a different thing to just building lots of miles under their belt and the knowledge that comes from experience.

My DS passed exactly 6 weeks after his 17th birthday. I was the one taking him out every day so I knew he was ready. We also live rurally. I was more worried about him driving when he moved to a city.

If he's confident in his driving, I think it's fine for him to test now. Your husband is the one who's been driving with him, if he thinks he's ready I'd probably defer to him.

What makes you think he is not ready - have you been in the car with him? Is he dangerous? I passed when I was 17 and have been driving for the last 30 years without incident. If he's not good enough then he will be failed and have to take it again. I really don't understand your concern if I am honest.

He was very lucky to get a test so soon!

He got a cancellation. Applied on the Thursday after passing his theory and sat his practical test on Monday. Joys of living rurally as tests are only available here one day every 2 months.

The thought of my teenagers driving terrifies me. I was pleased when DC1 waited until after University and COVID made DC2 also wait. I won’t be rushing DC3 and 4 when they’re old enough.
I passed as a complete fluke, I had failed every mock test I did and was such a nervous learner. I think because I was so convinced I’d fail I managed to relax enough to scrape a pass. It was about two years before I felt like a good driver.

The whole notion that taking a test at 18 is delaying it is worrying. I personally think that driving is learnt way too young.

And also passing your test is just the first bit - the good driving comes with the hours you rack up after that driving without supervision. But you can't do that without passing your test first. My mam couldn't wait for me to pass my test so she didn't have to take me to my newspaper shop job on a Saturday morning at 5am - she was just: "Take the car!"

YANBU. I was crashed into the other day. The driver was 17, he'd just passed his test. Over confident and arrogant. Unsafe.

I think it depends on their character. I was desperate to drive for independence and passed 3 months after I turned 17. It’s been over 20 years and never had an incident and for years drove 200 miles a day for work. You’ll probably find to get insured he’ll have all sorts of conditions these days eg black boxes, restricted hours