Prepare your Teen for Driving
January 27, 2010-
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Learning to drive can be both exciting and stressful for a teenager — and his or her parents. We are providing this teen-parent contract to help families work together to safely navigate the learning process.
The agreement helps establish rules and consequences for teens, but also places responsibilities on parents.
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Safe driving generally requires much more than what state laws call for, and signing an agreement before the teen starts driving can be helpful in establishing expectations for the whole family. By working as a team, parents and teens can accomplish their shared goal — a safe, successful teen driver.
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Please note: Driver licensing requirements vary by state and should be considered a minimum for teens. Find state-by-state requirements and a full-length driving agreement at AAA.com/public affairs.
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LEARNER'S PERMIT
Parents and teens should practice a minimum of two hours each week for at least six months (several states require longer) to ensure the teen gains ample experience in a range of driving conditions before solo driving.
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INTERMEDIATE LICENSE/SOLO DRIVING
Driving without a parent poses new challenges for a teen. Crash rates are especially high during the first year of driving. Research shows that teens have fewer crashes when there are limits on solo driving that gradually relax as they gain experience. Check to ensure the rules you set meet requirements in your state.

Breaking rules, at-fault crashes, and moving violations should result in reverting to an earlier phase for a pre-determined time. Critical violations (racing, reckless driving, drinking and driving, etc.) should result in license suspension for a pre-determined time. .

Teenagers can follow rules for responsible driving – but first they have to know what the rules are. Use the contract below to spell out your family’s driving rules and agreements, plus the consequences for breaking the rules. ..

Click here for Teen/Parent Driving Contract