TO MY TEEN DRIVER:
This is an exciting time in your life! You can drive! This is a terrifying time in my life. You can drive! As you know, car crashes are the number-one killer of American teens.
That is a scary statistic for me as a parent handing the keys over to my teen. At the same time, I understand that your new independence as a driver is important to you and potentially helpful to me.
Therefore, I want us to agree to some fundamental rules for your driving experience. If you follow these rules, you will maintain your driving privileges.
If you do not, you will face consequences. Likewise, I have included my own promises and responsibilities, and I have even included rewards if you exhibit outstanding driving behavior.
Together, if we abide by these rules, we can keep you safe and give you the freedom you desire!
Teen and Parent Driving Agreement
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
ÔùÅ Check in with me before you drive.
ÔùÅ Let me know where you are going and what time to expect you home.
ÔùÅ Tell me who your passengers will be.
Consequences for violations: No driving for __ weeks/months.
SAFE HABITS IN THE CAR
ÔùÅ Always wear a seat belt
ÔùÅ Make all of your passengers wear seat belts.
ÔùÅ Obey all traffic laws and posted signs.
ÔùÅ Never speed or drive aggressively.
ÔùÅ Keep both hands on the wheel.
Consequences for violations: No driving for ___ weeks/months.
PASSENGERS
ÔùÅ Never drive with more than ________ teenage passenger(s) in the car.
ÔùÅ If you believe your passenger is being unsafe or distracting you, pull over and call me. You can tell me an excuse so that your passenger is unaware of your concerns and I will come get you! (For example, “I suddenly feel too sick to drive.”) (See “CALL ME” section below.)
Consequences for violations: No driving for ___ weeks/months.
CELL PHONES, FOOD AND MUSIC
ÔùÅ Never use your cell phone while the car is running. This includes talking, texting and even GPS usage. Pull over to call, text, or to figure out where you are.
ÔùÅ Do not use earphones in the car.
ÔùÅ Do not eat while you are driving.
Consequences for violations: No driving for ___ weeks/months.
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
ÔùÅ Never drive if you have used drugs or alcohol.
ÔùÅ Never allow drugs or alcohol into your car.
ÔùÅ Never allow passengers who have used drugs or alcohol into your car.
ÔùÅ Never get into another car with a driver who has used drugs or alcohol.
ÔùÅ Never get into another car where drugs or alcohol are present.
Consequences for violations: No driving for ____ weeks/months.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
ÔùÅ I expect you to pay for all traffic citations. Until those are paid, you can’t use the car.
ÔùÅ I expect you to contribute _________ a month to the costs of gas, maintenance and insurance.
Consequences for violations: No driving for ___ weeks/months.
GRADES
ÔùÅ I expect you to maintain good grades in order to keep your driving privileges. If your grades drop below a ___________ average, you will lose driving privileges until they improve.
Consequences for violations: No driving for ___ weeks/months.
CALL ME
ÔùÅ Call home or my cell phone if you are concerned for your safety as a driver or as a passenger.
ÔùÅ As your parent, I promise that I will pick you up no matter where you are, no matter the time of day or night.
ÔùÅ I promise not to ask embarrassing questions in front of your friends if you call me.
Consequences for violations: No driving for ___ weeks/months.
BE A GOOD FRIEND
ÔùÅ When you’re in the car with another teen driver, speak up when you notice unsafe behavior! There is a good chance that your friend just wants your “permission” to be safe without trying to impress you.
ÔùÅ Let your friends know that you admire safe driving habits.
Consequences for violations: No driving for weeks/months.
REWARDS FOR EXCELLENT DRIVING BEHAVIOR
To my Teen,
ÔùÅ For every one month of safe driving, following all of the rules outlined here with zero infractions, I will ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
ÔùÅ If you achieve six months of safe driving, following all of the rules outlined here with zero infractions, I will ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
(Suggested rewards: pay part of your phone bill; fill your gas tank, etc..) ____________________________________________________________________
Signed Agreement
Teen Driver:
I agree to abide by all of these rules in order to maintain my driving privileges.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
Parent: I promise to take time to help my teenager develop good driving habits. I will also listen when he/she proposes reasonable changes to this contract.
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
Jeffery Robinette was admitted to practice law in 1991 and is licensed in all levels of state and federal trial courts in West Virginia. Mr. Robinette is also licensed in all state and federal appeals courts in West Virginia and the United States Supreme Court. As a National Board Certified Trial Attorney who has handled hundreds of motor vehicle, injury, and construction defect claims and a leading author on insurance claims settlement issues and difficulties in West Virginia, Jeff Robinette is uniquely qualified to represent your best interest.
