3 Tips to Prepare Teen Drivers

For many teens, earning a driver’s license is a rite of passage. But it doesn’t come easy. Earning a driver’s license takes hours of studying the driver’s manual and practicing behind the wheel. And don’t forget all of the details that come after a license is handed over, from setting boundaries and rules to choosing the right insurance. With these tips, your new driver will be on the road in no time. 

Make Time to Study

Each state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to getting a license. For most states, your teen will need to acquire an instruction permit or learner’s permit before they are able to get their driver’s license. The learner’s permit test is typically a combination of a written test and a vision test. And just like a driver’s license, the learner’s permit does require its own fair share of studying. Each state provides a helpful manual that can be ordered online or picked up at your nearest DMV.

Practice, Practice, Practice 

After a learner’s permit is earned, your teen must spend a certain amount of hours practicing behind the wheel. As a parent or guardian, be sure to take time to allow your teen this valuable time practicing behind the wheel. Start with basic driving skills and gradually introduce new, more challenging scenarios like driving at night or driving on the highway. It will help them gain confidence behind the wheel and allow them to feel comfortable in all types of driving scenarios.

Additionally, there are programs like school-led driver’s education or driving instruction classes that can take some of the stress and time commitment off of your own shoulders. For parents and guardians with busy schedules, this may be a good option. However, be sure to check to see how many hours your teen gets behind the wheel before enrolling. You may need to do some driving time of your own with your teen to give them the practice and experience they need. And during this one-on-one time, you can establish a set of rules and boundaries for your teen, such as curfew and most importantly, no phone use while driving, for example. 

Get Insured 

No parent or guardian wants to imagine the worst that can happen to their teen on the road. However, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young drivers are more at risk on the road than any other age group. This comes down to factors like inexperience, speeding and driving without a seatbelt.

When getting your teen ready to hit the road, it’s important to have insurance that fits your family’s needs. USAA offers savings and discounts for new vehicles and family discounts with no payment plan fees. Additionally, they offer easy access and payment flexibility. And you can rest assured that you and your family are covered with protection for not only your car but for you and your passengers and your finances. USAA even offers accident forgiveness, a coverage option that’s free after five years if your household has not had any at-fault accidents.

With these savvy tips, from studying and practicing to choosing superior car insurance for your family, your teen driver will have the confidence to get behind the wheel. Now, mandating that curfew is entirely up to you, mom and dad.