Turning 16 (or in some states, 15) is an exciting time for teens who have been waiting forever to get behind the steering wheel. It’s a rite of passage for teens to go from having the right of way, to learning how to drive the right way. And just like their not-so-famous peers, the kids of celebrities are itching to head down to the Department of Motor Vehicles (yes, even Mark Wahlberg and Gwyneth Paltrow have to deal with the DMV!) and get their learner’s permit.
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And just like their not-so-famous peers, celebrity parents are just as unsettled riding shotgun while their kid (who they swear was just in diapers!!!) gets in the driver’s seat. Ahead are the celebrities who have opened up about the (typically) bumpy road that is teaching their kids to drive.
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Tom Hanks
Image Credit: Nina Westervelt for Variety During an appearance on The Late Show, actor Tom Hanks told host Seth Meyers what it was like to teach his now-grown kids how to drive, using his scary dad voice and everything.
“You’re riding, sitting shotgun, and all you say is ‘What are you doing? What are you doing? What are you doing? What are you doing? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, easy, easy, EASY! EASY! Turn left, LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!’”
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Luke Bryan
Image Credit: David Buchan/Variety Luke Bryan admitted in July 2023 that when his oldest son got his driver’s permit, it was a “nightmare.”
“He is not a very good driver right now, so we’re having to work with him pretty hard,” the country music singer said. “He’s very frustrated right now because he thinks he knows how to drive, but he has no idea what he’s doing. He thinks because he can operate a 4-wheeler or Polaris that he is quite proficient, but he is not, I assure you.”
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Giada De Laurentiis
Image Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images Meanwhile, chef Giada De Laurentiis called watching her daughter learning to drive an “emotional rollercoaster.”
“It’s so stressful,” she told PEOPLE. “It’s so emotional to watch your child grow up like this, and I feel like driving is such a big step.”
Because yes, it’s the mark of so many changes in her daughter Jade’s life. “It won’t be like, ‘Hey, mom. Can you drive me here? Hey, mom. Can I do this?’ It’s more going to be like, ‘Hey, mom. I’m going to do this. I’ll see you later,’ and I get left in the dust.”
“It’s also really fun to see her excitement,” she conceded. “She is so excited to be independent. It’s like this thing she just so badly wants.”
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Tom Brady
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores for Variety In an emotional 16th birthday tribute for his son Jack, Tom Brady pivoted from tears to laughs when he brought up the next milestone for Jack who he shares with shares with ex Bridget Moynahan.
“Now it’s time for the next step … the learners permit 😬😂 …. hahahaha … I’m gonna make sure I’m off the road 😁😂😁😂😁😂❤️❤️❤️,” Brady joked.
The twice-retired football quarterback might as well sell his car if he’s staying off the road. It won’t be long before his kids Benjamin (b. 2009) and Vivian (b. 2012) — who he shares with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen — are on the road too.
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Kevin Hart
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores for Variety Comedian Kevin Hart learned pretty quickly that he couldn’t be the one to teach his daughter Heaven (b. 2005) to drive. He told Ellen DeGeneres that driving together is “too much.” She doesn’t listen to him because he’s her dad.
“Anybody else she listens to, but when I say stuff, it’s always the most,” the dad of four said before imitating his daughter. “‘Dad! All right. God. Let me try. You’re not even letting me try,’”
“Well, because you’re going to hit a f*cking truck like you’re not even paying attention,” he said, getting a big laugh out of the audience.
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Reese Witherspoon
Image Credit: Michael Buckner for Variety Reese Witherspoon is reaping the benefits of teaching her son Deacon (b. 2003) how to drive. In Nov. 2020, the actress shared an Instagram story of her sitting shotgun while Deacon was driving. “When I’m tired, Deacon always offers to drive me. Love my kid,” she wrote over the selfie.
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Gwyneth Paltrow
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores for Variety Gwyneth Paltrow admits to a major (but ultimately necessary) mom fail from when her daughter Apple (b. 2004) was learning to drive.
“She’s a really good driver,” she told singer John Legend when he hosted an episode of Ellen DeGeneres Show. “I try to be calm [but] the first time, I failed as a mother because she went through a red light and I kind of yelled at her and then she started crying. It was just terrible and I felt so bad. So then I was just like, ‘OK, you know what? I’m just gonna be chill and I’m gonna just pretend.’”
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Mark Wahlberg
Image Credit: Nina Westervelt for Variety Mark Wahlberg’s son Brendan (b. 2008) got a head start. He got his first driving lesson from his dad four years early. At age 12, Brendan took a golf cart for a spin while his dad took a video from the passenger seat.
“Best way to learn how to drive is to start with a golf cart,” Wahlberg said. “This boy knows how to drive.”
“Watch the road, not the camera,” the actor joked with his son. “First driving lesson with dad. He’s good.”
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