BajaNomad - How old were your kids when you taught them to drive?

How old were your kids when you taught them to drive?

JZ - 6-4-2021 at 11:47 PM

Did you teach them down in Baja?

My boys have been driving for years. They both learned on dirt roads in Baja at early ages. But my 19 yo daughter still doesn't drive. She's gonna try to get her license in the next several months.

She drove me (and the dog) around the neighborhood tonight on the RZR. Yeah, she has some work to do. Gonna be fun. Will take her outside LA to drive the truck on some dirt roads soon.

How did you teach your kids?

Barry A. - 6-5-2021 at 07:58 AM

My Daughter at 17 out on the desert dirt roads in Imperial Valley, CA when she bought her first car (a used stick-shift Dodge). (-:

My Son at 14 on back roads of the Owens Valley, CA near Independence. He bought his first truck (a used Datsun stick-shift) at 18.

Both my kids worked at odd jobs since they were 14.

mtgoat666 - 6-5-2021 at 08:37 AM

I learned at age 12, and was taught by a 13 year old. In rural area we drove early. I think I sat for my driving test the day after my 16th bday.

I cannot imagine being 19 and not driving! Driving is freedom! If I did not have independence in my teen years, I would have died.

Kids learn on unpaved roads, parking lots, quiet residential streets.

David K - 6-5-2021 at 09:22 AM

Yes, both my kids learned from just steering when they were small, sitting on my lap, to switching seats with dad and full driving. This is how I learned with my dad, too.

Here's my Sarah, at 13 when we were at Nuevo Mazatlan with Nomads for the 'Matomi reunion' group camp/trip in 2004...

TMW - 6-5-2021 at 10:18 AM

Like many kids I let them steer the car setting in my lap at an early age. By 10 they were riding a 3 wheel ATV by themselves. They both took driving school then got their license at 16.

AKgringo - 6-5-2021 at 10:44 AM

Like many of you, my first driving was done off the road system, and using a clutch was the first obstacle to overcome. I continued the tradition with my kids at about age 14.

Signing off on their driver's license as minors on my insurance policy required them to take (and pass) driver's ed in their school system. The oldest one never got a license until he was over 18 because he made it clear that nobody was going to tell him what to do, and traffic laws were mere suggestions.

thebajarunner - 6-5-2021 at 10:58 AM

Age was never an issue
But I mandated that each of my daughters had to learn on a stick and the first car I got each of them was a stick....

Sadly, those days are likely far behind,
The next generation won't even know how to fill a gas tank and check oil, just show them where to plug it in.

mtgoat666 - 6-5-2021 at 01:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Sadly, those days are likely far behind,
The next generation won't even know how to fill a gas tank and check oil, just show them where to plug it in.

Perhaps my Great grandparents lamented that I never learned how to drive a horse and buggy,… whatever.
But the world will be a better (cleaner, quieter) place when automobile IC engines are no more! :bounce:

I am sure that quaint, cranky luddites will keep IC engines alive for a while so kids of tomorrow can try their hand at driving an antique, noisy, dirty stick shift :lol:

I love my battery-powered lawn mower and battery-powered chain saw - I hope to never again see a fussy antique IC engine lawn mower! I do still have an IC engine chain saw, but it is sort of a beast relative to my handy mini battery-powered chain saw.

baja Steve - 6-5-2021 at 01:56 PM

2 boys one started driving at 10 and the other at 13

shari - 6-5-2021 at 03:02 PM

my daughter and grandkids got behind the wheel around 5 years old sitting on my lap just steering. Little by little as they grew I taught them rules of the road and things to consider when driving. When they were big enough to touch the pedals they started driving...around 8 years old but still on my lap.

My grandson Izaak can now start the car, and drive it just fine by himself with me in the passenger seat...he drives the back roads to the store all the time. I figure if something happened to me and he had to drive me to a hospital that would be handy!

JZ - 6-5-2021 at 03:06 PM

My daughter's twin brother started driving dirt roads at 10. He drove from Mexicali to La Paz at 15.

[Edited on 6-5-2021 by JZ]

advrider - 6-5-2021 at 09:02 PM

No kids but I started about 10 when we were out cutting wood. I would drive on old Dodge weapons carrier, granny low, point and shoot. Bought my first jeep at 12 and could drive on the many dirt roads that we had in the area.
Very common for both boys and girls to not want to drive these days. I couldn't wait for the freedom and started on my moto with a permit so I could work.

motoged - 6-5-2021 at 09:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

My daughter's twin brother ,,,,,

Uhhhh, you mean your son ?

JZ - 6-6-2021 at 12:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

Uhhhh, you mean your son ?

Yeah, sorry. Do you have some stories or pics to add to the thread?

One of the best times we had letting the kids drive was on the beach roads just East of Tecolote. Really fun spots out there.

[Edited on 6-6-2021 by JZ]

John Harper - 6-6-2021 at 05:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by advrider

Very common for both boys and girls to not want to drive these days. I couldn't wait for the freedom and started on my moto with a permit so I could work.

My niece is 23 and still does not drive! I think she finally got a license last year for emergency purposes but has no interest in driving.

I got my moto license at 15 1/2 and took the day off school on my 16th birthday to get my auto license. It was a big deal when I was younger. Sis got her license at 16 as well.

Learned to drive on an old Ford tractor. Seat straddled the transmission, clutch on left side, brake on right, stick shift between your legs, with throttle and spark control on the steering column like a Model T. No fenders! A miracle we weren't all killed as kids.

John

[Edited on 6-6-2021 by John Harper]

And your electric vehicle is??????

thebajarunner - 6-6-2021 at 05:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Sadly, those days are likely far behind,
The next generation won't even know how to fill a gas tank and check oil, just show them where to plug it in.

I am sure that quaint, cranky luddites will keep IC engines alive for a while so kids of tomorrow can try their hand at driving an antique, noisy, dirty stick shift :lol:

Tell us the make and model of your eco-friendly vehicle

You know, the one your were driving all over the West last summer whilst proclaiming scorn upon all those who ventured out to travel.

mtgoat666 - 6-6-2021 at 08:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Sadly, those days are likely far behind,
The next generation won't even know how to fill a gas tank and check oil, just show them where to plug it in.

I am sure that quaint, cranky luddites will keep IC engines alive for a while so kids of tomorrow can try their hand at driving an antique, noisy, dirty stick shift :lol:

Tell us the make and model of your eco-friendly vehicle

You know, the one your were driving all over the West last summer whilst proclaiming scorn upon all those who ventured out to travel.

F-150. Great truck! Ecoboost engine, 20+ mpg!
My travels were to “quarantine” sites, my cabin, and camping! Pandemic-safe, fauci-approved destinations!

Sucker!

JZ - 6-6-2021 at 09:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

F-150. Great truck! Ecoboost engine, 20+ mpg!
My travels were to “quarantine” sites, my cabin, and camping! Pandemic-safe, fauci-approved destinations!

Sucker!

Well, well, well... turns out Goat is just another Lib hypocrite.

Slammed ppl for going down to the isolated Seven Sisters and the like, and meanwhile he was out gallivanting all over the West. Who didn't see this coming?

[Edited on 6-7-2021 by JZ]

BajaBlanca - 6-6-2021 at 09:28 PM

I did not have the whatever-it-takes to teach my boys how to drive, so my sister took them to San Diego's stadium and taught them both.

One is better, much better, than the other but both drive well.

I spent so long learning stick shift in Rio de Janeiro with a driving instructor that his boss thought he was fooling me that I needed more classes. I called in and said that I wanted classes until I felt comfortable on hills. Ughhhhh

amigobaja - 6-7-2021 at 08:47 AM

My grandson started at 3 on his own quad.He use to follow me everywhere as he grew older. Last year at thirteen on a road trip to BOL once past San Quiten he took over until he had to pass a couple semi heading north and he decided maybe papa should drive.For me it was funny because he thought he was such a good driver always telling me how to drive. It also showed me he's not a dare devil and used good judgement on his abilities.

thebajarunner - 6-7-2021 at 05:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Sadly, those days are likely far behind,
The next generation won't even know how to fill a gas tank and check oil, just show them where to plug it in.

I am sure that quaint, cranky luddites will keep IC engines alive for a while so kids of tomorrow can try their hand at driving an antique, noisy, dirty stick shift :lol:

Tell us the make and model of your eco-friendly vehicle

You know, the one your were driving all over the West last summer whilst proclaiming scorn upon all those who ventured out to travel.

F-150. Great truck! Ecoboost engine, 20+ mpg!
My travels were to “quarantine” sites, my cabin, and camping! Pandemic-safe, fauci-approved destinations!

Sucker!

You are a phony!!
Your travels, by your account, were to Arizona, Pacific Northwest and even NorCal where you got into an apparent squabble with a local.
You must own a lot of cabins....

But, at least you got one thing right, your personal signature of ""Sucker" seems spot on.

mtgoat666 - 6-8-2021 at 06:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner

Sadly, those days are likely far behind,
The next generation won't even know how to fill a gas tank and check oil, just show them where to plug it in.

I am sure that quaint, cranky luddites will keep IC engines alive for a while so kids of tomorrow can try their hand at driving an antique, noisy, dirty stick shift :lol:

Tell us the make and model of your eco-friendly vehicle

You know, the one your were driving all over the West last summer whilst proclaiming scorn upon all those who ventured out to travel.

F-150. Great truck! Ecoboost engine, 20+ mpg!
My travels were to “quarantine” sites, my cabin, and camping! Pandemic-safe, fauci-approved destinations!

Sucker!

Creepy cretin:
In stalking me, you appear to have confused vacation travel vs work travel. If you are going to stalk me, you really should try harder to get the details right.

[Edited on 6-8-2021 by mtgoat666]

freediverbrian - 6-8-2021 at 04:08 PM

Taught both my kids at about 14 in baja. We drive a Ford crew cab down to baja. When I let my son drive I told him , him he was taking a good line avoiding rocks and potholes he said he has been looking over my shoulder watching for his whole life he knows.

caj13 - 6-14-2021 at 05:50 PM

My daughter started sitting on my lap and steering when she was 5. I live us a mile long private road, so she would take over when we were on my land. By the time she was 11, she was driving my F250 on her own - except she had to have her dog standing on the seat behind her, so she could lean against him to reach the pedals.

Now shes teaching my 4 year old grandson. he steered up the same road today - hes well on his way.

My mom taught me to drive in a 4 speed army surplus jeep on the mountain road in the Uintah mountains of Utah - when I was 11.