Parent/Teen Driving Contract
I haven’t published articles by others very often, but here’s something I felt was very worthwhile. It’s a great sample contract for teen drivers and their parents. If anyone out there says they aren’t in the least nervous about their teen beginning to drive, my hat’s off to them. My own daughter has her learner’s permit and will be driving on her own before too long. She’s doing great so far, but I’m still very worried about her driving alone.
This contract is great to use as-is, or simply use it for a guideline and change it any way you want to fit the needs of yourself and your teenage driver. Let’s keep our teens (and everyone else) safe on the road!
Parent Teen Contract for Teen Drivers
By Glenn Lamb
Parents of new teen drivers are concerned about the safety of their kids with good reason. If you wish to establish some written rules you can make use of the following agreement form. Of course it may need to be modified to fit your concerns…
Agreement: Driving for a student is a privilege, not a right. Education is more important than driving privileges. Parent will suspend or revoke driving privileges if teen gets a grade lower than C for any class. Driving may also be suspended for violation of school rules or breaking any criminal law.
Agreement: Permission for a permit and license is subject to teen agreeing to all of the following items. Suspension or revoking driving privileges can result from violating any of these rules.
- I will not drink and drive, or use illegal drugs. I will not ride with another driver if I know or suspect they are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. I will immediately take a drug test if told to do so by a parent. Failing or not taking a requested drug test will result in a revocation of driving privileges.
- I will not permit any alcohol containers, including empties, in any vehicle I am operating. I will not transport anyone who I know or suspect may be carrying illegal drugs. I understand that the law provides for forfeiture of a vehicle used in trafficking illegal drugs, even if the vehicle is owned by another.
- At all times I will drive as if my life and my passenger’s lives depend on it. I will obey all traffic law and any curfews or restrictions my license imposes.
- I agree not to drive with or transport anyone who is possession of a firearm or other weapon unless I get permission from my parent.
- I will always wear a seat belt and insist on any passengers wearing one.
- I will keep music at a moderate volume so I will be able to hear emergency sirens or car horns. I will not talk on a cell phone or eat food while driving.
- I understand that driving dangers increase when the number of teens in a car increases. For this reason I agree to have no more than 2 teen passengers, at any time, in my car during my first year of driving. I will not succumb to peer pressure to drive in an unsafe or reckless manner. When I am driving I am in control. I can stop and tell others to leave my vehicle if they are acting badly and will do so.
- I will not race any vehicle.
- I will not loan my vehicle or any family vehicle under any circumstances.
- I understand that to be on mom’s insurance policy I must keep my driving record clean. If I must go off my parents policy because of tickets or accidents the cost of insurance will be much higher. I will pay these higher costs myself and maintain liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000/$300,000. If I can not afford to do so I will not be able to drive.
- In order to have my own car I must pay all related expenses. These include gas, maintenance, repairs, licensee plates, state inspections, etc. Also I know that sooner or later the car will need to be replaced at my expense. Because I know this I will start saving now for this.
- I understand that if my driving privileges are suspended because I break these rules, which I have agreed to, it will be m own fault. Therefore I won’t complain about it or the length of suspension will be increased.
- If my driving privileges are suspended by my parents or a court and I drive anyway, my parents will sell my car for a low wholesale price. The money will be given to me after I move out.
I have carefully read this agreement, it has been explained to me, I understand and agree.
Signed _______________ Date:_________
This article is by Glenn Lamb mortgage broker and owner of Texas Capital Mortgage - http://Texas-capital-mortgage.com visit my other sites at http://business-insurance-houston.com and http://reverse-mortgage-houston.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb
http://EzineArticles.com/?Parent-Teen-Contract-for-Teen-Drivers&id=397209
teen drivers, teen driving, teenage drivers, teenage driving, parents, parenting, driving contract
February 24th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
There is always one option left when trying to control the actions of teen drivers. The new GPS Tracking Devices on the market today allow a parent to monitor their driving activities via their personal computer. Check there out. I bought mine from http://www.gpsteentracking.com
February 24th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
There is always one option left when trying to control the actions of teen drivers. The new GPS Tracking Devices on the market today allow a parent to monitor their driving activities via their personal computer. Check there out. I bought mine from http://www.teenlocating.com
February 25th, 2007 at 7:29 am
Thanks for your comment, Jason. I have to say that I’m not too crazy about the use of these devices. One of the little disclaimer statements at the bottom of the web page you mentioned said it all for me. “Our tracking devices may not be used to violate the privacy rights of others…” I think that teens have just as much of a right to privacy as anyone-unless they have already proven otherwise. I might use one of these if I had already caught my daughter doing something she shouldn’t be doing with or in her car. Otherwise, I’d feel very uncomfortable with it.
And yes, I do value my daughter’s life over anything else but, at the same time, I feel that it is my job to teach her good life skills (like driving) and that I must then trust that I have taught her the good judgment to use them.
I don’t mean to sound preachy here. I know a lot of parents find these devices a godsend for helping check up on their teens. But the privacy issue bothers me a lot.