Auto Insurance: What Teen Drivers Cost
“Having a young driver on the policy will generally increase it by at least $1,000 per year,” says Monique Dufresne.
However, there are ways to bring rates down; many insurance companies give discounts for good grades and enrollment in a Driver’s Ed program. In addition, parents should avoid buying an expensive car for a teen.
Laying Down the Law: Teaching Your Teen to Drive Legally
Many states set restrictions for new drivers, including curfews and regulations on passengers. In most Driver’s Ed programs, students learn about state laws during class—but parents should reinforce them at home.
Katie M. used a hands-on approach to make sure her daughter got the message. “[My daughter] had to research statistics on teens with other teens in cars,” she says. An overview of relevant statistics for teen drivers can be found at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
Negotiate a driving contract that includes state laws, house rules, and clear consequences. For a sample contract, click here or here.
Earning a License: An Important Milestone
One day, your child will earn the right to drive alone. Hopefully, all the lessons you’ve instilled through endless practice will come back when they’re needed most.
Parents should recognize that getting a driver’s license is a meaningful transition in a child’s life—and one worth celebrating. Take your teen driving often, model good driving habits, and establish clear expectations—and you’ll create a safe driver for life.
Creating Safe, Confident Teen Drivers:
- Practice. Many states have graduated driving laws that require 30 hours or more of practice time, but some parents choose to spend as much as a year. Schedule several times a week to drive with your teen.
- Reward positive behavior. Parents sometimes dwell on teens’ driving mistakes. Be sure to mention when your teen is doing something right. Offer incentives along the way, such as rewards for no violations.
- Set clear consequences for breaking rules. According to SADD’s research, teens are more likely to maintain safe driving habits if their parents enforce clear consequences. Be consistent with punishments such as taking away car privileges for infractions. Your teen should know what consequences come with each infraction and why this behavior is wrong.
- Use a driving contract. Driving contracts help you set clear expectations. Here’s an example.
Model Good Driving Habits
- Your teen pays attention to your driving. Model the following safe habits:
- Don’t eat, fiddle with the radio, or talk on a cell phone while driving.
- Don’t speed.
- Always wear a safety belt.
- Don’t take out anger on other drivers.
- Don’t have arguments while driving.
By Jennifer Williamson is a freelance writer living in Pennsylvania. Her work has appeared in many online publications covering childcare, family, and education topics.
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