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Step 1
Teach by example. As soon as your child reaches his teen years, he is getting cues about driving from you. Wear your seatbelt and demonstrate that you follow traffic laws. Limit your use of cell phones during driving. Point out dangerous drivers or bad decisions to your teen.
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Step 2
Research driving schools in your area. Driver's ed is often available at high schools, yet more and more private driving schools are opening as well. Find out about the individual programs and choose the most comprehensive.
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Step 3
Offer teenagers with a driver's permit the opportunity to practice driving with you in the passenger seat whenever possible. Yes, driving with teens is harrowing and stressful. However, one of reasons teen drivers have so many traffic accidents is a lack of experience at the wheel. Give your teen as much driving time as possible before she has her license. Plan on 50 to 100 hours of supervised driving time.
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Step 4
Establish a written contract with your teen that outlines your driving rules and the consequences of breaking those rules. For example, speeding may result in your teen losing driving privileges for two weeks in addition to paying a ticket and any increase in car insurance. Cell phone use and fiddling with the stereo should be prohibited while the car is in motion. Driving under the influence should result in significant consequences.
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Step 5
Address your concern about your teen's grades dropping once he has his license by making grade expectations part of the driving contract as well. Insurance companies like State Farm give good student discounts on car insurance if your child has a 'B' or better grade average.
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Step 6
Consider giving graduated driving privileges such as restricting the number of passengers in the car and the hours when teens can drive to beginning drivers if your state doesn't already. If driving goes well for three months, consider allowing your teen to either have one passenger or drive at night. Wait another three months before granting another driving privilege.
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Step 7
Continue to ride with your teen occasionally even after she has her license. Have her practice on the highway and in bad weather with you. Make certain she understands that speed limits are also affected by weather conditions and traffic.
