Key Components of a Driving Agreement

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Consider the following components in the driving agreement with your teen.

Temporary Restrictions

Temporary restrictions address the high risks of driving with teen passengers and driving at night. These restrictions can be lifted gradually as a teen gains experience.

Both teens and parents can be frustrated by a delay in full driver independence. But keep in mind that temporary restrictions are for you teen’s safety and are only in place for a matter of months. Remember, granting driving privileges all at once is part of what causes high teen crash rates. By gradually granting privileges over time, you help protect your teen from the highest-risk situations. In the meantime, your teen gains valuable driving experience.

Unconditional Rules

Establish unconditional rules for unsafe driving – with consequences for breaking them.

Teen drivers must realize that the choices they make affect their lives and those of others. Writing down these rules serves as a reminder of their importance. Any violations should result in serious consequences – such as loss of privileges or delays in earning new privileges. Drinking and driving, not wearing a seat belt, and speeding are all unsafe driving behaviors that have extremely high risks. Breaking these rules should have the highest consequences. Make it clear – both in writing and in your teen’s mind – that the consequences for breaking these rules are certain and severe.

Trip Conditions

Establish the "Who/What/When/Where/Why" for all teen driving trips – including what to do if plans change.

Teens should provide this information every time they want to take the car – so parents can determine the risks and the "worthiness" of each trip. Requirements can vary depending on the situation, but always asking for the information is important. Establishing trip conditions gives parents the power to grant use of the car or exceptions to rules – as well as to veto trips that are unsafe or unnecessary.

Consequences For Violations

Make sure your teen understands what will happen if they violate the driving agreement. Talk about it. And document it in the agreement. Use specific examples with specific consequences. Some parents hate having to play the "bad cop" – especially when consequences (such as revoking driving privileges) affect them almost as much as the teen. Teens and parents should remember this is a critical, but brief time. And everyone involved wants to safely move the teen from inexperienced driver to crash-free and violation-free independent driver.

Download our Parent/Teen driving Agreement