Teenagers aren’t always the most responsible people. Even a relatively mild teenager is still going to have spurts of hormones and youthful rebellion. Now imagine all of that behind the wheel of a vehicle. Terrifying thought, right? Well, your kids are likely going to have to start driving, sometime, which is why it is important to help them understand what a big responsibility it is. Here are some important rules that you should make when your teen starts driving…
Make Them Put Gas in
When your teens use the car, they should understand that they need to help fill up gas. Sure, they may not be able to fill it up everytime they use it, but making them put at least a few gallons in will teach them that driving has a cost.
They Should Help with Carpooling
If your teenager is regularly using the car, then they should have some responsibility in helping make sure that the family can go where they need to go. For example, making your teenager drive their younger sibling to and from recreational activities, such as sports or drama, or even just to their friends house, is a good way for them to “pay” you to use the car.
Absolutely No Texting!
Not many people are aware of this, but texting and driving is statistically more dangerous than drunk driving. Indeed, more than 25% of car accidents, today, are directly caused by texting and driving. This is a serious issue that you need to convey to your kids: they should absolutely never use their phone while driving, especially as teenagers. In addition to being incredibly dangerous, this is also illegal in most states. If you are especially concerned about this, then you can get certain apps that will disable certain features when they are driving.
Avoid Them Driving at Night
Night driving can be a relaxing experience, but it’s not something that kids should be doing. Every risk that your teenager faces when they drive is heightened during the nighttime. Even if your child’s curfew is later, you should have a curfew that the car must be back by the time the sun goes down, at least for when they are just starting to drive.
They Should Help with Maintenance
If your teen is going to be driving the car, regularly, then they need to understand that time and miles take a toll on a vehicle. You can convey this message by having them help you do regular maintenance on your vehicle, such as changing tires and oil. When you take your car into the shop for repairs and advanced maintenance, they should come with you as well, so that they learn how to communicate and work with a mechanic.