New Driver Checklist

When you hand the keys over to your teen, it’s like having them pilot a 3,000-pound missile. Before teaching them to drive, consider whether they demonstrate good judgment and act responsibly at school and in completing chores. Auto crashes are the number one cause of death among adolescents, so make sure they’re ready to handle the responsibilities of driving.

Pass the written permit test

The first step in the driving process is having your teen take a learner’s permit test. Check the website of your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for specific requirements, as well as proof of identification needed when applying for a permit and driver’s license.

The permit test is based on your state’s driver manual and covers basic traffic laws, road signs, driving in inclement weather and school zones, as well as how to safely interact with pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles. New drivers will also be required to take a vision test.

Practice, practice, practice

The most critical part of the process is having teens log as many hours as possible with the parent in the passenger seat to supervise them. It is recommended at least 100 hours of driving time before they get their license. If you’re still slamming your foot on an imaginary brake or holding on to the armrests with white knuckles, that’s a sign that your child needs more practice time. The driver permit can be renewed multiple times, so there’s no need to rush the process.

Instead of just having teens drive back and forth to the same places, expose them to challenging situations, such as taking the highway across town in rush-hour traffic or driving on college campuses or near crowded malls where they will encounter throngs of pedestrians and cyclists. To improve their navigation skills, have them drive to their destinations without relying on a GPS system or phone app.

Shop around for the best driver training and auto insurance rates for your teen and expect your rates to at least double. When comparing rates, ask about teen driver programs and discounts for good grades and independent driver training.

Take the road test

During the on-road test, the instructor will ask your teen to perform basic maneuvers, including parallel parking, braking, using signals, and checking mirrors. Many states give teens a provisional license, which places restrictions on them such as number of passengers allowed, curfews and driver training, until they reach the legal age for an unrestricted license.

Contact your insurance agent to add them to your policy as soon as they have their license in hand. Before they drive solo, teach them basic car maintenance such as checking tire pressure, adding windshield wiper fluid and changing a flat tire.

Stay involved

When teens get their license, parents are relieved that they no longer have to schlep them all over town, and teens enjoy the freedom of cruising around on their own. However, it’s critical for parents to stay involved and monitor their driving.

Installing a GPS system on the car will allow you to monitor their driving remotely and alert you to any erratic behavior such as excessive speeding or hard braking.

Create a parent-teen driving contract that lists your driving rules, including phone use, driving boundaries and staying alcohol and drug-free. Pre-made templates are available online at AAA.com and teendriversource.org.

“Studies show that parents who stay engaged in conversation with their kids and put together a driving contract are less likely to be part of the staggering teenage statistics. “The teen driver is less likely to be involved in collisions because they know their boundaries.”

The process of teaching teens to drive doesn’t suddenly end when they get their license. Continue to drive together to their ball games or when running errands, so you can observe their driving and ensure they haven’t developed any bad habits. Celebrate this milestone in your teen’s life by going out for a special family dinner or taking a road trip together. Hand the keys to your teen and enjoy the newfound pleasure of being chauffeured while spending quality time together.

By // Angela Ambrose

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