Parents won't let me drive

[BreathingIn]

I'm 21 and had my license for over 2 months now. I've been driving frequently with my parents in the car around familiar places we often go to. Still, every time my mom freaks out. I'm a very good driver, I'm very careful, and very focused. I took defensive driving lessons and passed my test with flying colors.

Still, my mom won't let me drive on my own. She freaks out like I'm going to wreck the car. It is her car, our only car, but I am on the insurance and paid for a 6 month policy in full. I made a verbal agreement with them that next time they must pay half. I also pay for gas. Still, not letting me drive alone.

I'm working on getting a full time job to get a steady income to move out. My grandmother said she'd co-sign a car for me. I've been applying for at least 10 jobs per day, I've worked out my finances, I know what salary I need. I'm a college graduate who's just having bad luck landing a job right now.

Is there anything I can do in the meantime to make her listen to me? She treats me like a child. I have had to fight for every ounce of independence lately. It is a struggle with her to let me go out to lunch with my friend. She tries to guilt trip me and says things like "You don't really have to go out. You need to stay home". I've been straight out walking out on her. But I can't do that with the car because I'm scared that she would call the police since it's in her name. But like i said, I'm the insurance holder and paid it in full, and put gas in the tank.

It's very hard living with an over protective mother who doesn't trust me at all. I'm a very good driver and have taken professional lessons. She still freaks out with me. I'm getting to my last nerve. I am so desperate to move out. I just need a full time job because I have maybe $200 in my bank account.

[hocus pocus]

I'm sorry to hear about this, you must be frustrated! You mentioned that your grandmother said she'd co-sign for a car and that shows that she believes in your driving abilities. Perhaps you can see if she would be willing to talk to your mom about this. I think you may benefit from mentioning the fact that you're helping in payments toward the car. You could tell your mom that you understand it's your family's only car, but you're helping to pay for gas and you'd like to be able to venture out on your own. You might be able to tell her that your driving skills will improve even more if she lets you out on your own as that's something a lot of new drivers struggle with.