When I was 12 I had a Vespa that I kept at a friend's house. I had the Vespa for over half a year before I crashed and killed it. My parents never found out about the Vespa or the crash.Free range kid starting 2nd grade. Mum dropped off at ski resort with dime(call) and $0.50 (hot chocolate) with friends every weekend. Rode in back of Subaru wagon, pickup truck bed, whatever no seat belts.
Drove field beaters(uninspectible free cars) age 12 for fun at friends field racing around dirt or ice packed track. Mom hated that one and made me wear seatbelt and their old motorcycle helmet.