Despite the added responsibility, owning a car may be very important to you. Your parents may not appreciate having their car “souped up” by you and your friends. If it’s your own car, you may tinker as you wish, or paint it any color you like. Also, the added prestige may be important to you.

Parents are often concerned about teen-agers going on car dates too soon. And they have good reason. The fact is that some teen-agers are not prepared sufficiently for car dates. Regardless of how much you want to drive, if you are not old enough to get a license you should not risk driving a car. Here are some other things you and your parents may want to consider together.

Your Parents’ Consent

You may feel that you are responsible enough to drive a car. Your parents may have a different view. The question is why? Perhaps you haven’t proved yourself responsible in other ways? If your mother still has to pick up after you around the house, it’s understandable if she feels you won’t be responsible with a car. If you forget to come home in time for dinner, your dad may think that you’ll also forget to fill the car with gas or check the oil and water. Before permitting you to go on car dates, your parents have to be sure that you are mature enough to accept the responsibilities.

Once you have proved you can take responsibility for other things, your parents may be willing to discuss your use of the car. When you talk with your parents about using a car you may want to have clear-cut understandings about just what your responsibilities are. Who will pay for the gas? What about the increased rate in insurance? Who will be responsible for scratches or dents in the fender? Many parents feel that if they have a definite understanding about these responsibilities, the arrangement is more feasible. In some communities there is a printed agreement which both the son and father sign, designating the responsibilities each assumes. You and your father could make one up yourselves.

The same holds true for girls who want to go on car dates. When you step into a car you are just as responsible as the driver for what goes on. If your parents are convinced that both you and your date will adhere to safety rules and speed limits, they will feel better about it. It will also be up to you to get home on time so that your parents don’t worry. If you’re delayed, you are probably expected to do them the courtesy of calling and explaining. If your parents permit only a limited number of car dates, it is up to you to stick by that agreement. Riding around recklessly during your school lunch hour may only convince your folks that you are not ready for such dates. Often cars are filled with so many teenagers that driving becomes dangerous. You may have to realize that this chance is not worth taking.

School and College Regulations

Even if you have your parents’ consent to go on car dates, it may still be forbidden on your college campus. There are very good reasons for this, and it pays to respect the rules. In this case you must limit your driving to vacations and to week ends when you’re home. So far as college girls are concerned, if your campus rules against it, it’s easier to say “No” to a car ride than to explain to parents and teachers why you didn’t conform to school policies.