Restrictions You Should Impose on Your Teenage Driver

When your teenager learns to drive they can get impatient. This is part of the learning process and something I can recall going through myself. With learning to drive comes a great responsibility. You can discuss with your child, the fears you have when they are behind the wheel but no matter what you say, they still won't fully understand.

Purchasing a car

There will come a time when they will need a car. It's wise to take these tips to heart when making a big purchase for your child. The car should be used and very inexpensive. It's a good idea to encourage your child to save money for the car. If they save the money, they will take better care of the car than if you just handed it over to them. The car should be used because the chances of an accident occurring are very high in their first couple years of driving. If they don't wreck, then it's an incentive to get them a better car in a few more years. It would be foolish to purchase a brand new car.

Car Title

At the early driving age of 16, your teen still has not gone through their temptations and peer pressure that friends have to offer. With this in mind, regardless if the child has fully paid for the car, put the title in your name. It is best to discuss this before you even start to look for a car or while they are saving up for the car. You don't want to start arguments or any unnecessary emotions. Make it clear to your teen that although they paid for the car, it is a privilege and they will earn the right to have it at age 18.

From the parents' point of view, this is important because your teen has their own thoughts and act on free-will which we can't control. They may start hanging around the wrong crowd that makes them rebel. They may rebel anyway. Your teen might think "It's my car, I can go where I want, when I want." This is not a good thing. As a parent if the child strays and takes off with the car that is titled in your name without your permission, you have the right to report the car stolen. They will find your car and your teenager. If the car is titled in your child's name, no report can be made as it isn't your car.

Passenger Restrictions

Some states have restrictions when they're newly licensed about the number of people that can ride with the teen. I suggest the parent set their own rules and make the teenager sign the agreement. I would also make sure they understand that the parent of the child riding with your teenager is aware they are riding with them. This can easily be done by making a phone call. This will deter other children from trying to "hitch a ride" because it's too much trouble when they can just ride with someone else.

Other Important Restrictions

Disconnect the radio. Set rules that there is to be no music or mp3 players. Cell phones are to be turned off when driving. These are major distractions and in the first year or so of driving, they should be strongly discouraged from these activities. These of course are strictly based on the honor system.

Happy driving!