Learn how to teach your teen safe driving habits. This article offers tips on starting early, practicing in different conditions, and using safe driving apps.
Article: 3 minutes
Updated: February 5, 2025 Published: February 22, 2019
By: Sean Scaturro, MBA, CFP® Reviewed by: Editorial contributors
Long before they get their permits, spend time with children in the car to begin educating them on the do's and don'ts.
If your teen is taking a driving course, show interest in the program. As they progress, ask what they're covering. Your conversations will help the lessons take hold.
Video Duration: 1 minute 40 seconds
Helping a teen driver develop excellent driving habits can start by example. There are five ways you, as a parent, can help your teen be a safe driver.
Start early. Explaining safe driving shouldn't start when you hand over the keys. It should be discussed early to help children understand the responsibility and the benefits that come with driving.
Be a safety role model. Practice what you preach by refraining from talking on the phone, reading or typing texts, or changing GPS settings when driving.
Encourage practice. Practice with your teen on the basics of driving. Teach your teen to navigate tough scenarios like one-way streets, road construction and night-time driving.
Coach and educate. Ease your teen into driving by offering more hours behind the wheel with a parent or coach, beyond what the state requires for licensing. This improves your teen's driving skills and confidence. After they're licensed, be sure to ride with them often and continue instruction. You could also try a safe driver contract, where your teen agrees to practice a number of good driving habits. Among those are to never use the phone while driving, and to check in with you when they reach their destination.
And last but not least, be a responsible passenger. Teach your teen to be a cautious and courteous passenger as well. That means not being a distraction to the driver and not riding with friends who text, talk on the phone or otherwise choose unsafe driving habits.
Following these steps can help ensure your teenager will be safer on the roads when it comes time for them to get behind the wheel. Begin teaching your child about safe driving habits today.
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Continue coaching after they get their license. It's important that parents continue to actively coach young drivers during the first few years of driving. Regularly ride with your teen to observe and provide pointers.
It may not always look like it, but when you're driving, your child is observing you. Promote good driving by doing things the right way.
It's natural for kids to yearn for a muscle car or a pickup that sits high. It may not make you popular, but safety should come before bragging rights. A safer car can also cut your insurance premiums. Whether it's new or used, pay close attention to safety features and ratings.
There are three types of driving distractions:
Texting is a potentially deadly combination of all three. Encourage your child to use an app that mutes incoming texts, calls and notifications while the vehicle is moving.
Consider telling teens on your auto policy that, in the event of an at-fault accident, they'll be responsible for covering the deductible or any resulting premium increase. Also consider creating a teen driver contract to make sure they know their responsibilities and any consequences. Drive home the seriousness of safe driving.
Being a smart rider means avoiding distractions and blocking the driver's view. It also means not tolerating dangerous habits when their teen friends are behind the wheel.
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USAA is with you and your new driver, from their learner's permit to their independence. We can help you give your young driver the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
Feel better knowing we have you and your teen covered when they're driving on their own. For those who have added roadside assistance as optional coverage to their policy, we'll always be just a click or call away with USAA Roadside Assistance. See note 1
Your auto premium may not go up after your teen's first at-fault accident if you get accident forgiveness protection. See note 2 Learn more about auto insurance for teen drivers.
When it's time to let go, we can easily transition your teen off your policy and on to their own. Children of USAA Auto Insurance policyholders may qualify for a 10% legacy discount. See note 3
You may be able to reduce the cost of adding a teen driver to your policy.
Auto insurance is more than just a bill. Learn about safety features, driver distractions and more.