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• Part 1 >> Driving Conditions
• Part 2 >> Driving Rules & Consequences
• Part 3 >> Helpful Tips & Resources
• Parents & Teen Driving Agreement (pdf | 320 KB)

Part 3 >> Helpful Tips & Resources

1. Before your teen gets in the car with another teen
2. Before you let your teen drive others
3. Recognizing safe drivers:
4. Selected Resources for Additional Information on Teen Driver Safety

1. Before your teen gets in the car with another teen - top

Questions to ask:

• Who is the driver?
• How old is the driver?
• How long has s/he been driving?
• What make of car will s/he drive?
• How long has s/he been driving the car your child will ride in?
• Is the route the driver is taking to the destination the safest one?

Reminder to give:

• Call if you think you'll be late.
• Don't rush to make curfew.
• Don't get in a car if you feel the driver is unsafe.
• Call a trusted adult for a ride back home.
• A car accident is the #1 cause of death for teens.
• The driver does not have to be drunk or drugged to have an accident - inexperience and immaturity play a huge role.

2. Before you let your teen drive others - top

• Make sure your teen has driven alone for 6 to 12 months after the provisional licence.
• Make sure your teen has had exposure to different driving conditions including nightime, inclement weather, beltway, country roads, etc.
• Make sure your teen can recognize and will take the safest route.
• Make sure your teen will not to speed under any circumstances.
• Make sure your teen will avoid cell phones while driving.
• Make sure your teen will call a trusted adult if s/he feels his I her driving is impaired
• Make sure your teen doesn't drive between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. for the first 6 months of the provisional licence.
• Stress the importance of being cautious; When you drive another person you have a life in your hands.

3. Recognizing safe drivers - top

• A truly safe driver has had 1000 miles of driving experience in all conditions, including nightime and inclement weather.
• A safe driver doesn't speed.
• A safe driver doesn't drink and drive.
• A safe driver wears his seatbelt.
• A safe driver doesn't break the law.
• A safe driver avoids talking on the phone while driving.
• A safe driver selects the safer route.
• A safe driver avoids dangerous situations.

Remember: The legal driving age is 18. You don't have to let your teen drive if s/he isn't ready!
- Tips based on science and compiled by Arturo Betancourt, MD, bereaved father of Alicia

4. Selected Resources for Additional Information on Teen Driver Safety - top

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800
  Arlington, VA 22201
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC 20590
• National Safety Council
  1121 Spring Rake Drive
  Itasca, IL 60143-3201
• National Transportation safety Board
  490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
  Washington, DC 20594
• Rookie Driver: www.mva.state.md.us/DriverServ/ROOKIEDRIVER/default.htm
• Parents of Young Drivers: www.parentsofyoungdrivers.com