Your parents will want to set some ground rules for your time
behind the wheel.These must start with obeying the state’s GDL
laws.Your parents may want to take these a step further with
house rules like no driving past 9 p.m.Try not to take these
limits personally! Your parents aren’t setting rules to control you
or because they don’t trust you.They just want to make sure you
know the law and stay safe.
The best way for you to stay safe and earn driving privileges is
to work with your parents.They may want to create a parent-
teen driving agreement where you work together to define your
driving rules. Keep in mind that driving rules can change as time
goes on. For example, if you and your parents agree to no driving
past 9 p.m. and you maintain a clean driving record for a year
after getting your license, talk to your parents about rethink-
ing this rule. Proving responsibility is the best way to earn new
privileges.
There are many great examples of parent-teen driving
agreements. Below are some resources to get you and
your parents started:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Parent/Teen Agreement:
/
Parent_Teen_Driving_Agreement-a.pdf
State Farm Parent-Teen Driving Agreement:
PARENT-TEEN DRIVING
AGREEMENTS WORK!
Teens with involved parents (who set rules
and monitor) are:
• Twice as likely to wear seat belts
• 70 percent less likely to drink and drive
• Half less likely to speed
• 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone
while drivin
g
MAKE THE CAR A NAG-FREE ZONE
Learning to drive isn’t easy.
Even after the supervised behind-the-wheel
practice is logged and you get your Probationary
License, your parents will need to monitor your
driving activities for the first year and help you
practice new skills. To help reduce the stress and
arguing that can develop during this period, we
propose making the car a “nag-free” zone where
you can concentrate on learning to drive, not on
other issues. In the past, the car may have seemed
like the right place to discuss a wide range of topics
with your parents. It still can be — but not when
you’re behind the wheel. In the car, try to restrict
the talk to driving-related topics. Keep this in mind
when you and your family develop house rules.
Establish a safe space to talk outside the car. Agree
to discuss anything sensitive or important some-
where calm outside the car — the front step, liv-
ing room or backyard swing. It’s okay to tell your
parent to keep calm. An angry parent is one of the
worst distractions. Politely encourage your mom or
dad to count to 10, save the criticism for later and
stay focused on teaching.
Learn to accept constructive criticism. When your
parent gives you focused and specific feedback on
your driving performance, accept it and learn
from it.
