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I grew up in Houston (West University area) I took my kids everywhere when they were young! So they drove downtown more than most! My daughter had her hardship license at 15 and was Tweety at Astroworld so she drove but if your kids haven't done it many times then no plus this was over15 years ago

You are not too uptight. You are using your brain, something many parents in this area and everywhere for that matter do not do.Simply look up the stats on how by adding each person/ passenger to the car and it is amazing how quickly the odds go up for something bad to happen.

@Lace, as others have said, you are not too uptight! Houston traffic is too unpredictable for inexperienced drivers....especially downtown.@carol888, grew up in Houston too and my parents taught us to drive everywhere too. I drove throughout downtown many times as a teen, but I had a lot of experience with "city" driving.

As others have said - I'd only allow it if I'd already thoroughly practiced driving there with my son in advance and felt he was ready. My goal is to have my son ready to drive pretty much anywhere before he gets his license, but that may be overly ambitious of me. I remember driving to Galveston and downtown at 16. I remember learning what it as like to drive a manual stick shift on the steep incline of the Houston public library parking. That was not good, I was hysterical crying but I got out of there without hitting anyone when I rolled back.

I refuse for my kids to have the "bubble effect"!

I learned how to drive a stick at 16....bad part bumper not attached.
Had to go to Ranger Texas to get it (an uncle said if I wanted it come and get it) So my boyfriend and I drove there oops no one said it was stick! First few towns on the way back you could see me get out put bumped back on and then off I went!!!Good times and that is a 7 hour drive! Wow my parents were brave! And loved my boyfriend! Too bad I let him go....

My car would never start. I used to have to fling open the door and Fred Flinstone to get the car rolling then pop the clutch to start up. I was a tough girl. These kids of mine have no idea.

Nope you're doing right!

@HumbleGirl My dad bought me a stick as well. My parents wanted me to know how to drive both in case of an emergency.My car sat in front of the house for 2 weeks because I kept killing it in the neighborhood. I was embarrassed to drive it. Finally my dad told me I couldn't drive his car or my mom's car so I could take the bus or drive the stick. I learned how to drive the stick. Sigh.

My son took his first trip north of here. He and his little brother took off to the grands! They got to Shepard and an 18 wheeler nearly clipped them. Had he not been observing the truck drive erratically. He ended up running him onto the shoulder. Luckily it was just the shoulder and nothing else.

He's been driving all over, He'd driven several times through and around many parts of Houston. Drove us to Galveston and Crystal. To Beaumont , College Station, Sam Rayburm. Anytime we go somewhere he drives. Today he drove us to League City and while he did good, there where a lot of situations he just wasn't sure what to do. I would almost. Almost let him drive downtown with ONE other person. But I'm just not letting him go with someone I don't know with above the allowed occupants. I'm just glad his car is getting painted and that's not an option lol.

You should explain to him that you would feel more comfortable if the driver was more experienced and that, as a parent, you can't take that risk right now...Then offer to drive them all there yourself so they don't miss out...And during the trip, give them some pointers on the fine art of driving through all the obstacles Downtown Houston traffic has to offer...

Traffic was a nightmare today! I was on pins and needles by the time I got to my destination! A 20 min commute turned into a 1 1/2 hr commute! And people were not obeying the laws of the road!!! Motorcycles driving in between the cars. Vehicles exiting the freeway where there was no exit!!! I mean total chaos! And a cop watched the entire thing but I guess he was just construction cop duty and not traffic!

@CE3673 in California motorcycles are allowed to go between and if you hit them its your fault! It is scary driving 70 up a mountain with 18 wheelers and then zoom goes a cycle! Yea I am at my parents in the Bay area(too expensive for me)