I am now 18, but I was 16 when I got my Z. The Z was being worked on for 7 months so I learned how to drive in a Jetta for about 11 months and then My Z was out of the shop and I only drove it back and forth to school for a while just so I could get used to it before I drove it anywhere else. I know I am only 18 but before I would let her take it out I would test drive it with her a few times so she could get the feel for it.