Driving

[Love_is]

So would driving an atv (when it’s illegal to drive it when you’re under 16) or a car be a sin if you indeed were under 16? Even if it was in the middle of the desert when there is apparently no way of endangering others? Or if you were driving on the road, when there wasn’t very much traffic? Thanks

 

[Spirithound]

So would driving an atv (when it’s illegal to drive it when you’re under 16) or a car be a sin if you indeed were under 16? Even if it was in the middle of the desert when there is apparently no way of endangering others? Or if you were driving on the road, when there wasn’t very much traffic? Thanks

It is immoral to contravene a law that is not unjust. Check your local laws regarding whether ATVs are considered cars, whether there is a licensing system for them, whether there actually is an age limit, and whether the laws of the road apply in the wilderness.

 

[JRKH]

Without negating what Spirithound said above, I am going to say that it will depend on whether your parents know. As a child, you come under their control and protection. If, under certain conditions and in specific locations and proper oversight, your parents permit you to drive then you have probably not sinned.

If - on the other hand - you do this without their knowledge and permission then you have definitely sinned.

Peace
James

 

[Pug]

Don’t feel that because you are a minor that you are required to let your parents make you do illegal things. It is okay in some circumstances to refuse to do what they tell you.

I say that because JRKH’s post reminds me that the reason I would have been asking your question on a forum would be because my parents would have found it convenient to make me drive into town to runs errands and I would be here trying to find out which was the sin, driving or refusing.

And no, I’m not saying it would be a sin to drive if they are pressuring you. It depends on a lot of factors. I’m just posting to say that one does not always have to do what they tell you when they want you to break the law,

 

[JRKH]

Don’t feel that because you are a minor that you are required to let your parents make you do illegal things. It is okay in some circumstances to refuse to do what they tell you.

I say that because JRKH’s post reminds me that the reason I would have been asking your question on a forum would be because my parents would have found it convenient to make me drive into town to runs errands and I would be here trying to find out which was the sin, driving or refusing.

And no, I’m not saying it would be a sin to drive if they are pressuring you. It depends on a lot of factors. I’m just posting to say that one does not always have to do what they tell you when they want you to break the law,

Thanks for helping to clarify…There are many specifics that need to be taken into account in such things.

As a “rule of thumb” - based on what the OP has given us and what you have added - I would say that “Off road” (and on your own property), with parental permission etc is morally OK…on road…not so much.
I grew up around farms and most kids, if they could reach the pedals could and would drive trucks, tractors and such around the fields just as a normal part of doing chores. No one thought much about it since it was on their own property, the parents were involved and everyone was doing what needed done.
This is the general context that I am working from.
Of course this was before the advent of the ATV but I can see this having similar application where there is work to be done on site. For example I know that those running cattle and sheep out west commonly use ATV’s for getting around and moving the animals, repairing fences etc.
So there are a lot of different scenarios that can factor into these things.

Peace
James