Allowing your child to step behind the wheel means increased independence, and it means you will free up time you would have spent driving them around. It’s something that should be celebrated!
You just want to make sure they’re safe. That means talking with them about things like not texting and driving and reducing the number of passengers they have in the car, but what about the car itself?
Here are a few car-centered tips that will ensure your teen is safe behind the wheel, and taking the keys causes the least amount of disagreements as possible.
Make Sure They’re Ready
You’re always going to feel a little nervous when your child gets behind the wheel, but you should be confident in their driving abilities overall. You don’t want your teen getting behind the wheel when they aren’t ready.
That means allowing them to take your local practice permit test before taking the test, ensuring they graduate from a driver’s ed class, and passing the test to get their license.
However, just because your child has a license doesn’t mean they’re ready for all driving conditions. For example, you may feel comfortable allowing your teen to drive in town, but you may decide they need more practice before heading out onto the interstate alone.
Buy or Borrow?
If you ask your teen whether they want their own car or if they want to borrow the family car, their answer will come swiftly in favor of having their own vehicle. That doesn’t mean you can afford it. If buying a new car will put your family in the red, it’s better for your child to borrow the family vehicle, at least for the time being.
If you can afford a new car, you may think a decades-old car is the best choice for a new driver. It turns out that’s not true.
Although you should only purchase a car you can afford, it’s better to buy a newer car for your teen. That’s because newer models have better safety features, like automatic braking and seat belt alarms, to keep your child safer behind the wheel.
If you can’t afford a newer car, but you can afford an older one, it may still be better for your teen to drive the family car if it includes modern safety features.
Create Your Own Set of Driving Rules
There are a lot of driving rules your teen should follow. Making sure those rules are clear is important.
Create your own set of driving rules to ensure there’s no confusion. Include things like:
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Never use your phone while driving
• Never drink and drive
• Don’t drive after midnight
It’s important to come up with rules that work for your family. If you’d like to skip making your own contract, have your teen sign an online contract instead.
Who Pays for What?
There are lots of things you should encourage your child to pay for. When your child becomes a driving teenager, what they pay for should include car-related expenses.Having driven for years, you know how expensive having a car can be. It’s a lesson that’s important to teach your teen.
Be very clear about who pays for what. For example, your teen may be responsible for paying for gas and any tickets they receive, while you may agree to pay for car insurance. If you can’t afford a car for your teen, you may want to talk to them about how they can save up for a car on their own.
Download an App
Your teen shouldn’t be messing around on their phone while they’re driving, but that doesn’t mean your phone can’t come in handy while they’re behind the wheel!
There are quite a few fantastic teen driving apps that will ensure they are safe behind the wheel, and they can bring you peace of mind as well. For example, TrueMotion allows parents to see where their teen has driven, and it even allows parents to set a perimeter for where their child is allowed to travel.
Another app, called DriveSmart, is meant for your teen. It reminds them to buckle up, and it can give them personalized feedback about their driving habits.
Your teen is going to be excited about getting behind the wheel of a car, while you may have some reservations. Take a comprehensive approach to safety by encouraging them to follow the rules of the road, as well as following these vehicle tips.
Although you should only purchase a car you can afford, it’s better to buy a newer car for your teen. That’s because newer models have better safety features, like automatic braking and seat belt alarms, to keep your child safer behind the wheel.
If you can’t afford a newer car, but you can afford an older one, it may still be better for your teen to drive the family car if it includes modern safety features, but if you really think there’s a need to buy a new one, try applying for a loan. There are a lot of auto loan lenders, like Carvana, that can help you have the car you desire for your child.
