What matters isn’t your child’s age, but his maturity levels. How responsible is he? Can you trust him to follow road rules? Can he control his temper and impulses? When he is on the road, he has to consider his safety, the safety of his passengers, and the safety of all the cars around him. This kind of power must be earned — and we don’t just mean taking an extra job so he can buy a car himself. What is his level of emotional readiness?
Before giving your teen a car, or letting him buy one, sit down for a very serious talk on the kind of responsibility he bears whenever he sits behind a wheel. Don’t be afraid to show him statistics of road accidents, or even talk about people you know who have lost loved ones because of a drunk or reckless driver.
And even when he has a car, make it clear that maintaining it is his responsibility. He has to pay for any repairs from his own allowance or earnings. Even if you can afford to shoulder all expenses, owning a car is a great opportunity for your child to learn how to manage personal property and income.