Teenagers driving lessons - who pays

[KnockMeDown]

Just looking to see what the general consensus is - our DS is almost 18, and about to start driving lessons in earnest. He has had a few introductory ones, which we paid for. But we are beginning to think this could get very expensive. He gets DLA, and has just received a very generous cash gift from his Grandfather, and has no outgoings. We think that he should contribute at the very least.

How did it work with you?

Alikelly73 I would tell her that you aren’t a bank and to jog on with her attitude.

What a shocking attitude Ali, do you contribute to her general living expenses, does she still live with her mum?

We paid for our DS's driving lessons as his 17th birthday present, more than we would usually pay for a birthday present but felt it was a useful life skill.

Alikelly73 I suppose it depends why she isn't talking with you.

Presumably her Mum could do with some help with the financing of the driving, but from DD's point of view she doesn't want to be beholden,

It's a tricky one.

I did contribute until she was 16 then she got a job in child care earning good money for a 16yr old and as she didn't want to go to college.. myself and her mother split up 10yrs ago I think she still holds a grudge as she brings up the past alot.. She fell out with me as we usually take them away (I have 2 girls ) this yr we were going camping she pulled out last minute she was rude on the phone so I went end as she lives end the corner and had a screaming fit in the street so not spoke really since.... anyway yesterday was her 1st driving lesson so I text and wished her luck. The response was thanks me and mum will love paying for them! Where do patents stand with rude disrespectful children I've not been brought up like this and have always tried to teach them manners and respect. However since not been with her mother for nrly 10yrs she has none

Sorry everyone that was a bit long winded no one else to get it off my chest to really

I would pay for them and I wouldn't effectively punish my ds for having a job either by expecting him to contribute (unless he was working FT and earning a decent amount - but not for a few hours a week).

I think it's a life skill.

But I would expect him to contribute to petrol costs if he used our car. Although even then, if it was somewhere I would have driven him to, it seems then a bit unfair to charge him for driving himself! Maybe I am too soft.

We've paid for ours to learn. At 17 they've all been at school/sixth form and not really earning anything much so it wouldn't have happened either. But DLA can be quite a bit so I'm guessing your DS is in a different position to most teens.

Tell her to do one not a very nice daughter only want your money