Quick Links: Teen Driving Articles and Resources
Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts for when that magic age of 16 rolls around in our teens lives, and they come running home with their permit!DO - Hire a driving instruction school to be the first people to teach your teen to drive. Two major benefits to this are you get a discount on your new insurance rate and you get to keep your sanity. (Yes, your insurance will probably go up with a new driver in the house.)
DON'T - Take your child out on the road the first time he/she is behind the wheel. If you can't find a driving school, start in an empty, large parking lot. Then gradually move up to the road.
DO - Require your child to have at least ten hours behind the wheel with you BEFORE he/she takes their driving test. The test, in most states, is pretty simple. A teen will come home with their new license and believe they are ready for the Indy 500. By requiring more time of practice, before they take the test, you will eliminate their false sense of security and you will also feel more secure.
DON'T - Let them learn from a friend. Most states require a permit driver to be with a driver that has had their license for at least one year. They shouldn't be driving with friends until they have their license, and then it needs to be limited, as this is a leading cause of accidents among teens Eye Opening Statistics.
DO - Draw up a contract between you and your teen. Stipulate new responsibilities that go along with the new privilege of driving. Here is a sample, Contract Between Parents and Teen Drivers
DON'T - Set a bad example. Adhere to all the safety rules, (seat belts, speed limits, etc.), while you are driving with your teen. Enforce these rules on them.
DO - Set limits. A lot of accidents happen at night, so limit nighttime driving. Put these limits in the contract.
DON'T - Scare them to death, even though you may be *a little* nervous. The more security they feel from you, the more secure they will be. Hence they will be able to make the quick decisions needed for driving. So when they just miss the fender of the car in front of them, take a deep breath and count back from 10 (or 20 or 100... ).
Quick Links: Teen Driving Articles and Resources
