7 Important Tips For Your Teenage Drivers

Watching your teen receive his or her driver’s license can be both a prideful moment and one of sheer terror. While knowing that you’ve raised a child to the point of turning into a fantastic young adult is wonderful, it can be difficult to know exactly how to keep them safe now that they are out on the road.

Thankfully, we’ve put together a list of helpful hints to help make the transition a little easier. Here are seven important tips for parents of teenage drivers.

Tip #1: Make Safety a Top Priority

The first thing to remember when it comes to helping your teen explore the rules of the road is to make safety a top priority. Continuously discuss the significance of being a safe driver and the consequences of failing to do so. Talk about the dangers of drinking, texting, talking on the phone, and other distractions that could possibly impair their judgment behind the wheel. Then have the discussion again and continue to do so as a periodic reminder of the immense importance of being a safe driver.

Tip #2: Select an Affordable and Safe Vehicle

It’s probable that what you see as an appropriate vehicle and what your teen thinks he or she should be driving are complete opposites. They might want something new or flashy, but an older model is usually best for both your bank account and to keep those insurance premiums low.

However, this does come with a bit of a caveat—safety features. Many newer model vehicles offer state-of-the-art options designed to keep drivers and passengers completely cocooned in the event of an accident. When selecting a starter vehicle for your teen, make sure to choose one that is new enough to include some of those top protection mechanisms, such as side-curtain airbags.

Tip #3: Invest in a Student Driver Safety Course

Teaching your teen to drive yourself might seem easy, but it isn’t the only option you should consider. Student driver safety courses are usually available from local public schools but sometimes have a long waitlist. Instead, check with your local driving academy for openings. In some states, this also makes taking the final driving test to obtain a license easier and with most insurance carriers can mean a large discount on your policy.

Tip #4: Set Strict Limits

There’s a fine line between allowing teens to explore their new freedom behind the wheel and letting them roam into dangerous territory. Thus, it is important to set strict limits with your child as they learn the skills necessary for being a safe driver. Similar to discussing safety on a regular basis, you should also set clear expectations for things like driving late at night, having passengers in the vehicle, and avoiding certain dangerous intersections or roads in the area known for major accidents.

Tip #5: Encourage Good Grades

While it may seem somewhat unrelated, another way to help your teen succeed as a new driver is to encourage good grades. Most auto insurance carriers offer a generous discount for being an A or B student, which can make a large dent in monthly premium costs. As an added bonus, some companies also offer studious teen drivers the opportunity to apply for college scholarships.

Tip #6: Be a Good Role Model

As the parent of a teen, it is also important that you “practice what you preach” in terms of safe driving habits. That means staying under the speed limit, leaving enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, slowing down in those school zones, and generally following the rules of the road as correctly as possible. And make sure to put down your cell phone and buckle up your seatbelt while encouraging your child to do the same.

Tip #7: Shop Around for Auto Insurance Rates

When insuring a teenage driver, it is extremely important to shop around for the best insurance rates. Talk with the auto insurance agent who insures your vehicle, but also be open to other carriers in the event your current company doesn’t offer the most affordable premium and robust policy coverage.

While the above tips are all great to remember, the most important way to help your teen succeed as a new driver is to simply stay involved. Know where they are going with the vehicle and stay in constant communication as to your expectations and their focus on safety.