Essential Resources for Parents of Teen Drivers

Putting your child behind the wheel for the first time is nerve racking. Driving is a big responsibility, and you want to be sure your teen is ready.

To help you keep your child safe, the National Safety Council offers a number of resources for parents or guardians of teen drivers, including a contract to drive and a digital driving coach. Here’s at look at what these resources include.

The New Driver Deal

The New Driver Deal is a written, signed contract with your teen that will help reinforce good driving choices. It allows you to write out the rules, restrictions, privileges, and consequences for your teen driver.

Having clear expectations up front with help lower your teen’s crash risk and help them be safer and more responsible overall. Here are a couple of the basic rules on the agreement:

• “I will always use a seatbelt, whether I'm a driver or a passenger. I will not drive a car if my passengers (when I am allowed to drive them) are not wearing seatbelts.”
• “I will always obey speed limits and all traffic laws and signs. If I break the law, I will be responsible for any traffic or parking tickets and any court costs.”
• “I will never use a phone—either hand-held or hands-free—while driving.”
• “I will never program the GPS or use the Internet while driving.”
• “I will never drive if I am angry, upset or tired.”
• “I will contribute to the cost of operating the car as agreed (insurance, gas and maintenance).”

Digital Driving Coach

Driving is like any other skill--you have to practice to get good at it. The Digital Driving Coach helps by sending you weekly practice tips and lessons from DriveitHOME.org. All you have to do is sign up with your email address.

You’re sure to be nervous when your teen starts driving, but these resources will help you talk to your child about driving safety and responsibility.

Image by State Farm via Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0.