Is Your Teen Ready to Drive Alone?
Even if your teen is legally old enough to get a license, it is ultimately your decision about whether he or she is ready to drive alone.
Think about the following:
- Has my teen had enough practice, in varying conditions, so that we are both confident with his/her ability to handle most situations?
- Has he/she shown the ability to detect hazards and react to them quickly?
- Have I noticed that scanning for hazards has become a habit for him/her?
- Does your teen always wear a seat belt and remind others to do so?
- Does he/she not use a cell phone to talk or text message while driving?
- Does he/she wait to pull over to handle distractions or situations that take his/her eyes away from the road?
- Does he/she speed or drive aggressively? Will he/she know to pull over if upset, frustrated, or angry?
- Has he/she shown responsibility in other areas of his/her life, and do I trust him/her to drive my car responsibly?
If you think your teen needs more time and practice before driving alone, make that clear.
When your teen is ready to drive alone, make sure you set and review house rules, especially during the first six months after licensure. Place limits on situations that increase crash risk, such as:
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Carrying multiple passengers (For at least the first year of licensure, no passengers under age 25 should be allowed without an adult present.)
Driving in poor weather
Driving on certain roads
Driving in the dark (Driving alone after 9 pm should not be allowed until after the first six months of independent driving.)
