S/O of ID: How old were you when you got your license?

[LucyStoner]

One month shy of 25. I only did it because I had a 2 year old at the time and decided I needed to be able to drive him to the doctor etc without relying on my husband to miss school or work. And I didn't want to be stranded in an emergency.

 

Why did I not before? Because I am quite certain cars are freakishly dangerous. I was hit my a car as a pedestrian when I was 16. We lived in an area where a bus and bike would do and for fun outings were even preferable (since parking was limited.) Few of my friends had DL in high school. I also worked but my money went to pay for necessities and college, not a car. My parents didn't even have a car from the time I was 14 or 15 until I was 26 or so.

 

My husband and I bought a little Toyota when I was 21 so by the time I got my DL, my husband was happy to have help with all the driving.

Edited September 14, 2012 by kijipt

[Occasionally]

My children start driving the feed truck here on the ranch around six...

 

Good gracious, my DS6 would be in heaven!

 

I was 17.

[Mabelen]

I was 27 when I got my driving license. I grew up in a big city with excellent and cheap public transport then moved to a flat small town where you could either walk or cycle everywhere. For out of town trips there was an extensive railway and coach system. I decided to get my driver's license because I wanted to have the convenience to use my private car once children arrived. I didn't have kids until I was in my 30s so I had plenty of time to practice. By the way, the minimum age at both places was 18 for a driving license.

[freeindeed]

I was 16, but it was after I'd been 16 for several months.

[abacus2]

I couldn't remember if I was 16 or 17, so I appreciate you 16-18 range. :) I got my license as soon as I had enough practice to try the "test" = drive around the block at speeds no more than about 30 mph, no parking requirements. Where I lived, driving was the only practical mode of transportation.

[tvaleri]

I counted down the days until I turned 16. Was at the DMV waiting to get in at 8am!

 

Smiles,

Teresa

[justLisa]

I had appointment the DAY I turned 16.

[radiobrain]

I got my permit and all that jazz at 16. However, I lived in Chicago and didn't need to drive.

 

I didn't get my actual real liscence until I was 20, and that was because my brothers were going to Italy for 2 months for a video shoot, and they needed me to drive their stick shift datsun around so a) it would not get towed or ticketed and b)It wouldn't die....

 

So I taught myself how to drive stick shift, by myself, in a Chicago winter in a 1979 datsun, that I first had to unpark from under an elevated train track. :D

[gardening momma]

15-permit, 16-license (in MI). I attended a private school, went to the local public school for driver's ed.

[stansclan89]

Other: I was 15yo.

 

In the state I lived in then, the age you could get a license was 15. In the state I currently live in the age is 14yo.

[Desert Rat]

I was 16. My parents were kind of insistant. They wanted help with transportation for my brother. But, they were also very cool about letting my borrow a car. So, it was cool.

My boys will be allowed to have DLs whenever our state allows. They keep changing their minds. I think it's still 16 but with lots of restrictions, which is also fine.

[Granny_Weatherwax]

I was almost 20. My family didn't have the money for insurance so they never allowed me to drive. I learned to drive illegally and did so occassionally if a friend would let me use her car. I never had a permit but went straight to the adult license because of my age. I remember attempting to take the driving test in my boyfriend's (now DH) red 1966 VW Baja bug. It didn't have a back seat (that was removed for the sound system) but it did have dual, external intake thingamabobbers that made it sound awesome and a Porsche engine that made it super fast. The DMV guy took one look and told me to ditch the popcorn machine and come back with a real car.

 

Man oh man, I loved that car.

 

I made sure DD went for her license at 16 and DS will get his then too (if he can pass the driving test; his Tourette Syndrome is slightly problematic at the moment and it is taking longer than expected for him to complete the driving portion of driver's ed).

Edited September 15, 2012 by The Dragon Academy

[Michelle O. in MO]

The state of Montana let me get my license at 15yo. I think they've changed the law though and you now have to be 16yo. I think 15yo was too young.

[AndyJoy]

I was 15

Me too. In Idaho at the time, you could get your license at 15 with the only restriction being you couldn't drive later than 30 minutes after sunset or earlier than 30 min. before sunrise until you were 16. I believe the rules are stricter now with restrictions on number/age of passengers.