Originally Posted by
Finkface
Wow, just wow.
First, the previous posters have addressed the age issue. Second, no way in the world will any rental car company authorize a driver who holds only a learner's permit, regardless of age (and yes, I know this for sure). Third, you are, I am assuming, going to be somewhere other than your own city. It is just crazy to put an unlicensed, new, inexperienced driver who is still a child (yes, she is 15) behind the wheel in an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar place. I seriously question your judgement in risking not only her life but the lives and property of every other road user. There is a reason behind the statistics about crash rates for new drivers. Add to that the unfamiliarity with the vehicle and the area and it is a recipe for disaster. I am shocked you would even consider something so ridiculous and unnecessary.
I was a driver examiner for many years, testing new drivers for all classes of vehicles and not once would a rental car company authorize the use of their car (obviously rented by a parent or friend) by a driver with only a learner's permit. Age was not the reason.
Clearly there are some opinions here. We are going to be in an area that is rural (some would say optimal) for having a young 'un hone her skills. Are you saying that being in an unfamiliar city that is 10x more rural than LA is a bad place to have a young driver? I feel MUCH safer when we are out of town than when we are in our familiar home area. Just where do YOU want these kids to drive, somewhere along your commuting route as you enter the city? I'm going to be in the front seat, also. We're not letting her loose on the mad streets of the city for her to find her way. Sheesh. In fact, when she DOES get her license, I would feel much more comfortable in knowing that she has as many hours of driving time as possible before she goes it alone.
An unfamiliar car, really? These days, econoboxes that you rent are pretty much all dummied down and for the most part cannot be distinguished mechanically from each other very well. Camry, Accord, Altima, etc... I'll take my chances with these cars on an "unfamiliar" byway any day over my higher end machine in LA. Any day.
Do chime in if you are one that only allows your kids to idle up and down the driveway until they are 18 and move away. I'd be interested in knowing how their driving skills hold up to those crazies like me who actually let them drive to gain experience.
Fine that rental companies don't like risk, I get that. Some companies do rent to kids <25.
This is the reason for my post, to see if there are any that would allow a permit holder behind the wheel. I won't be surprised if my quest proves unsuccessful for reasons you all mentioned above. But I don't think I deserve the
or the Wow, or the tongue in cheek comments.