<p>D is 16 1/2 and has her permit. Driving with her is soooo nerve-wracking. I don't know if she'll ever be be truly ready to get her license. I'm hoping that spending more time driving with us, her parents, will help, but I'm not sure. Any words of encouragement?</p>
<p>I think all parents with kids who have ADD or ADHD think like this. Some kids you really need to take your time with; others it's easy and natural and their focus is on the driving.</p>
<p>My son had his permit at 15 1/2; but didn't get his license until 17, the reason being was partly because he needed confidence and comfort (which increases focus), and partly because his dad was involved in a bad accident that totaled the only non-stick shift we had at the time.</p>
<p>He's been driving for 2 years and had his first accident this summer. Yep, all the rules you taught him flew right out the window, in terms of keep your mouth shut, just exchange info, etc.. But I understand that this happens to most kids, not just those with ADD.</p>
<p>I think it is ok if kids don't drive until they are ready.
Partly because car ins is expensive ( as are vehicles) & partly because of ADD issues neither of my kids had their license @ 18.</p>
<p>lol, I can empathize. My ADHD son was much more cautious in the beginning. He got his permit at about the same age as your D, and got his license one month short of his 18th birthday. It is very nerve-wracking for me to be in the car that he is driving...we have many words about following too closely, 5 miles over the limit is technically speeding, not turning the signal on soon enough (in my opinion), etc. We thought the more experience he had before getting his license would be better, and I think usually it is. If you can hold off to closer to 18, the better. It is definitely a scary time. One word of encouragement, girls tend to 'mature' quicker than boys. Good luck. I pray for all mothers of teens, lol.</p>
<p>D has had her permit for a year now and has logged about 20 hours driving time (school and mall are very close) In Ohio, you need 50 hours so I guess at this rate, she will close to 18 when she accumulates enough hours. I believe most parents sign the form stating their child has 50 hours, when in fact they driven far less. Her older brother was a pro after about 10 hours.</p>
<p>Teen</a> drivers with ADD a problem on the road - CNN.com</p>
<p>It looks like we're right about our concerns and also about the best way to handle them.</p>