Not before 18 years of age. we have lost 4- 16 years olds and 1- 17 year old in the course of 6 weeks here in this area. All were due to speeding. At 16 you have no fear, you think you'll live for ever, or just don't care. One of these boys had just got his first car as a christmas present. How as a parent, how do you ever get over this? As some one who lost a mother to a car accident, it was a unwritten rule in this house, don't even think about driving till your eighteen. I drove my kids where ever they needed to go, and picked them up where and when ever,and they all know that holds true even today, if they don't like where they are, or who their with, or just don't feel right about getting in a car with someone,or they don't feel they can drive, call home, no matter what time, day or night. no questions asked. It's the only way I got through the teen years!