A parent's guide to preparing your teenager for safe driving, from learner's permit requirements and practice hours to driver's education, insurance costs, vehicle safety checks, and driving contracts.
Last updated:
0 of 21 completed0%
Copied!
Learner's Permit Requirements
Check your state's minimum age for a learner's permit (ranges from 14 to 16)
Most states issue learner's permits at age 15 or 15.5. Some states like South Dakota allow permits at 14, while New Jersey requires 16. Check your state DMV website for the exact age, required documents, and any prerequisite courses.
Gather required documents: proof of identity, residency, Social Security number, and parental consent
Most DMVs require a birth certificate or passport, 2 proofs of address (utility bill, bank statement), Social Security card, and a parent's signature. Bring originals, not copies. Missing one document means a wasted trip.
Study for the written knowledge test using official state practice exams
Most state DMVs offer free practice tests on their website. The written test typically has 20-50 questions covering road signs, right-of-way rules, and traffic laws. A passing score is usually 70-80%. Study for 2-3 weeks before testing.
Schedule and pass the DMV written test and vision screening
Book the appointment online since walk-in wait times can exceed 2 hours. The vision screening tests 20/40 acuity in both eyes. If your teen wears glasses or contacts, bring them. A failed written test can usually be retaken after 7-14 days.
Driver's Education
Enroll in a state-approved driver's education course
Driver's ed costs $200-800 depending on your state and whether it is through a school or private company. Many states require it for licenses before age 18. Some schools offer it free or at reduced cost. Courses typically include 30 hours of classroom and 6-10 hours behind the wheel.
Verify the course includes both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training
The classroom portion covers traffic laws, defensive driving, and impaired driving awareness. Behind-the-wheel sessions with a certified instructor build skills in a structured way. Both components are needed for the full insurance discount.
Ask about insurance discounts for completing driver's education
Most insurance companies offer a 5-15% discount on a teen's premium for completing an approved course. Some states also reduce the required supervised driving hours. Request a completion certificate and send a copy to your insurance company.
Practice Driving Hours
Log at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice (check your state's minimum)
Most states require 40-70 hours of supervised practice, including 10-15 hours at night. Spread practice over 6+ months rather than cramming. Research shows teens who practice at least 50 hours have 36% fewer crashes in their first year of driving.
Practice in progressively challenging environments: parking lot, residential, highway, night
Start in an empty parking lot for steering and braking basics. Progress to quiet residential streets, then busier roads, then highways. Night driving and rain should come after your teen is comfortable in daylight conditions. Each environment builds on the last.
Cover specific skills: parallel parking, merging, 3-point turns, and emergency stops
Parallel parking requires about 10-15 practice attempts to become comfortable. Practice merging onto highways at least 5 times from different on-ramps. Emergency stops should be practiced in an empty parking lot at increasing speeds from 15 to 35 mph.
Keep a dated practice log signed by the supervising parent
Many states require a signed log as proof of practice hours before issuing a license. Record the date, time, duration, conditions (day/night, rain/dry), and skills practiced. There are free printable driving log templates available from most state DMV websites.
Insurance and Costs
Add your teen to your existing auto insurance policy
Adding a teen driver increases premiums by $1,000-3,000 per year on average. Adding them to your policy is almost always cheaper than a separate policy. Get quotes from at least 3 insurers since rates vary significantly for teen drivers.
Ask about good student discounts (typically 3.0 GPA or higher)
Most insurers offer a 5-15% discount for students maintaining a B average or above. You will need to provide a report card or transcript each semester. Combined with the driver's ed discount, this can save $300-600 per year.
Discuss who pays for gas, insurance contributions, and maintenance costs
Having teens contribute to driving costs teaches financial responsibility. Common arrangements include teens paying for gas and parents covering insurance, or teens contributing a fixed amount ($50-100/month). Whatever you decide, put it in writing.
Vehicle Safety
Choose a vehicle with high safety ratings and modern safety features
Look for vehicles rated 4-5 stars by NHTSA with electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and multiple airbags. Avoid vehicles with high horsepower-to-weight ratios for new drivers. Midsize sedans and small SUVs from 2015 or newer generally offer the best safety-to-cost ratio.
Show your teen how to check tire pressure (recommended PSI is on the driver's door jamb), read the oil dipstick, and top off washer fluid. Walk through every dashboard warning light using the owner's manual. These 20 minutes of teaching prevent breakdowns.
Practice changing a tire and jumping a dead battery in a safe environment
Practice in your driveway on a weekend afternoon. Walk through every step: loosening lug nuts before jacking, correct jack placement, tightening in a star pattern. For a battery jump, teach the connection order: positive-to-positive first, then negative-to-ground.
Driving Contract and Rules
Create a written parent-teen driving agreement covering phone use, passengers, and curfew
Include specific rules: no phone use while driving (even hands-free for the first year), passenger limits (most states restrict teen passengers for 6-12 months after licensing), and a curfew that matches your state's graduated license restrictions.
Establish clear consequences for breaking driving rules
Graduated consequences work best: first offense loses driving privileges for 1 week, second for 1 month, third results in a longer review. Both the teen and parents sign the agreement. Having consequences in writing before an incident removes emotion from enforcement.
Set up a no-questions-asked safe ride policy
Tell your teen that if they or their driver are impaired, distracted, or in any unsafe situation, they can call you for a ride with no punishment. This single policy can prevent fatal decisions. Discuss it calmly and remind them of it periodically.
Review your state's graduated licensing restrictions and post them in the car
Most states have graduated driver licensing (GDL) with restrictions on nighttime driving (typically no driving 11 PM - 5 AM) and passenger limits for the first 6-12 months. Violating GDL restrictions can result in license suspension and fines of $100-500.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours of practice driving does a teenager need before the road test?
Requirements vary by state, but most require 40-70 hours of supervised driving practice, with 10-15 of those hours at night. California requires 50 hours (10 at night), while Texas requires 30 hours (10 at night). Beyond the legal minimum, insurance data shows teens who log 100+ hours have 36% fewer crashes in their first year of solo driving.
What is the average cost of adding a teen driver to car insurance?
Adding a 16-year-old to a parent's policy increases the annual premium by $2,000-$4,500 on average, though rates vary widely by state, vehicle, and insurer. Good student discounts (typically requiring a 3.0 GPA or higher) can reduce the teen's portion by 10-25%. Completing a state-approved driver's education course often qualifies for an additional 5-15% discount.
At what age can a teenager get a learner's permit?
Most states issue learner's permits at age 15 or 15.5, though some allow them as early as 14 (Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana) and others require age 16 (New Jersey). The permit phase typically lasts 6-12 months before the teen can take the road test. During this phase, a licensed adult (usually 21 or older) must be in the passenger seat at all times.
What are graduated driver's license restrictions for new teen drivers?
All 50 states and DC have graduated licensing laws that phase in driving privileges. Common restrictions include no driving between 11 PM and 5 AM for the first 6-12 months, limits on teen passengers (often no more than 1 non-family member under 21), and a complete ban on cell phone use. These restrictions typically lift after 6-12 months of violation-free driving.
Should my teen take a professional driving course or can I teach them myself?
Professional courses cost $300-$600 for 30 hours of classroom instruction plus 6-10 hours of behind-the-wheel training with dual controls. Studies from the AAA Foundation show that professionally trained teens are 4.5% less likely to be involved in crashes. However, parent-taught programs (available in some states like Texas) are also effective when parents use structured curricula and log adequate practice hours.