`CHICK MAGNET' TIME `7TH HEAVEN' HEARTHROB PASSES DRIVING TEST.

Byline: - Amy Raisin

Minutes after passing his driver's test Friday, teen heartthrob and actor David Gallagher eased into the seat of his dream car, a yellow Plymouth Prowler, the flashy sports car the blond actor has playfully christened his ``chick magnet.''

Passing his test - on his 16th birthday, no less - has freed the ``7th Heaven'' actor and Santa Clarita resident from driving to the Santa Monica set with a parent or asking his mom for a ride to the mall.

``It's much less of a chick magnet when I have to drive it with my parents. That kind of defeats the purpose,'' said Gallagher, who has portrayed Simon Camden, a minister's son, on the show since it began five seasons ago.

``But that's been remedied. It's a great summer cruising car.''

The oldest of five children, the ``Star Wars'' memorabilia junkie opted to take his test in his other car, the less flashy black custom Ford F150 Harley Davidson edition truck.

But he insists he appreciates his good fortune at owning two cars, while many other teens his age ride skateboards and bicycles.

``I was sick of my bicycle, too, believe me. Just last week I rode my bike to my friend's house. But I've been driving like crazy, every car in the family, to get ready for the test,'' he said.

Now that the ``chick magnet'' is on the prowl, Gallagher may have to fend off the female fans - he's mum on any rumors of a girlfriend - an aspect of his job that he said can be overwhelming but mostly kindhearted.

``I like that part a lot. But sometimes it seems kind of odd when people come up to me that don't even know me. But they think they do, because they know Simon,'' he said, admitting that he occasionally receives stuffed animals and kind letters from fans.

Acknowledging the cars may be a bit excessive, his mom, Elena Casey, said her oldest child doesn't fit the spoiled child actor stereotype, calling him affectionate, a regular kid with siblings and friends.

``He works so hard, he's keeping straight As in school,'' she said. ``I just can't believe how big he is now, how old he is.''

Gallagher attends classes on his days off and receives instruction on the set, sitting through the same math tests and lessons as his not-so-famous counterparts.

But it was his newly earned license that had the actor hugging his dad, Vincent Casey, in their driveway Friday, minutes after scoring 95 percent on his test.

``This is definitely one of the coolest days of my life,'' Gallagher said. ``In this car, you can't miss me.''

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color in SAC edition only) TV star David Gallagher, 16, demonstrates hand signals for DMV driving instructor in Newhall.

(2 -- color -- ran in SAC edition only) After passing his driver's test on his 16th birthday Friday, David Gallagher shows off the the key to his ``chick magnet'' - a yellow Plymouth Prowler.

(3 -- ran in SAC edition only) David Gallagher of The WB's ``7th Heaven'' gets a hug from his mother, Elena Casey, left, while his father, Vincent Casey, examines his son's DMV test Friday.

(4 -- ran in SAC edition only) After scoring a 95 percent on his driving test Friday, David Gallagher can now fly solo in his Plymouth Prowler.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer