|  Pages:
 1
 2 | 
JZ
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
Posts: 13390
 
Registered: 10-3-2003
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
How old were your kids when you taught them to drive? 
 
 
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.
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
 
Posts: 10007
 
Registered: 11-30-2003
 Location: Redding, Northern CA
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: optimistic
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Platinum Nomad
         
 
 
 
Posts: 20163
 
Registered: 9-16-2006
 Location: San Diego
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: Hot n spicy
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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. 
 
 
 
 
 
Woke! 
 
Hands off! 
 
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.” 
 
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” 
 
Pronoun:  the royal we 
 
 
 | 
| 
 | 
David K
 
Honored Nomad
          
 
 
Posts: 65350
 
Registered: 8-30-2002
 Location: San Diego County
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: Have Baja Fever
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
 
Posts: 10659
 
Registered: 9-1-2003
 Location: Bakersfield, CA
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Elite Nomad
       
 
 
 
Posts: 6253
 
Registered: 9-20-2014
 Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: Retireded
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space! 
 
"Could do better if he tried!"  Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers.  Sadly, still true! 
 | 
| 
 | 
thebajarunner
 
Ultra Nomad
      
 
 
 
Posts: 3754
 
Registered: 9-8-2003
 Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: muy amable
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Platinum Nomad
         
 
 
 
Posts: 20163
 
Registered: 9-16-2006
 Location: San Diego
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: Hot n spicy
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
 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!   
 
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   
 
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. 
 
 
 
 
Woke! 
 
Hands off! 
 
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.” 
 
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” 
 
Pronoun:  the royal we 
 
 
 | 
| 
 | 
baja Steve
 
Nomad
   
 
 
 
Posts: 471
 
Registered: 8-31-2003
 Location: Bend, or
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
2 boys one started driving at 10 and the other at 13
 | 
| 
 | 
shari
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
Posts: 13051
 
Registered: 3-10-2006
 Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
Posts: 13390
 
Registered: 10-3-2003
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Super Nomad
     
 
 
 
Posts: 1916
 
Registered: 10-2-2015
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Elite Nomad
       
 
 
Posts: 6481
 
Registered: 7-31-2006
 Location: Kamloops, BC
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: Gettin' Better
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
  
 
Uhhhh, you mean your son ?
 
 
 
 
Don't believe everything you think.... 
 | 
| 
 | 
JZ
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
Posts: 13390
 
Registered: 10-3-2003
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
  
 
 
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
 
Super Nomad
     
 
 
 
Posts: 2289
 
Registered: 3-9-2017
 Location: SoCal
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
 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]
 | 
| 
 | 
thebajarunner
 
Ultra Nomad
      
 
 
 
Posts: 3754
 
Registered: 9-8-2003
 Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: muy amable
  
 
 | 
 | 
And your electric vehicle is?????? 
 
 
 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. 
  |  
  
 
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!   
 
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   
 
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. 
  |  
  
 
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
 
Platinum Nomad
         
 
 
 
Posts: 20163
 
Registered: 9-16-2006
 Location: San Diego
 
Member Is Offline
 Mood: Hot n spicy
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
 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. 
  |  
  
 
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!   
 
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   
 
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. 
  |  
  
 
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!
 
 
 
 
Woke! 
 
Hands off! 
 
“Por el bien de todos, primero los pobres.” 
 
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” 
 
Pronoun:  the royal we 
 
 
 | 
| 
 | 
JZ
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
Posts: 13390
 
Registered: 10-3-2003
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
 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
 
Select Nomad
        
 
 
 
Posts: 13241
 
Registered: 10-28-2008
 Location: La Bocana, BCS
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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
 
Nomad
   
 
 
 
Posts: 151
 
Registered: 6-3-2009
 
Member Is Offline
  
 
 | 
 | 
 
 
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.
 | 
| 
 | 
|  Pages:
 1
 2 |