Teen driving and parents
Parents' role in developing safe teen drivers
Train and monitor teens' driving, and establish rules
If your teen is starting to drive, you need to train them on a variety of road types and in different conditions, like in the dark, during a rainstorm or during a snowfall. The more supervised experience, the safer your teen driver. Continue to monitor and train them during the period of greatest crash risk — the first six to 12 months after licensure.
To minimize the risks of crashes, injuries and death, talk with your teen and establish clear and reasonable driving rules that favor safety over convenience. Follow through with consequences.
- Encourage your teens to speak up when they don't feel safe when driving or riding with others.
- Agree to provide a safe ride for your teens anytime it's needed.
Parents' role in developing safe teen drivers — laws, FAQs and tips
- Train your teen on a variety of road types and in different conditions.
- Provide significant supervised driving experience for your teen — use driving skills checklist.
- Talk with your new driver to reinforce teen driver laws and set limits (such as passengers, nighttime driving) — use a driving contract between parent and teen.
- Continue to monitor and train your teen during the period of greatest crash risk — the first six to 12 months after licensure.
- FAQs — answers for parents and teens
Resources for parents of teen drivers
- Teen driver state laws — nighttime and passenger limitations, cell phone use, drinking and driving, and more.
- Teens Behind the Wheel — brochure helps parents understand the risks associated with teen driving. Provides tools to help parents teach teens to be safer drivers. Includes a practice log and parent–teen driver contract.
- Driver's License Information — Website provides driver manuals, exam locations and more.