To minimize the risks of crashes, injuries and death, talk with your teen and establish clear and reasonable driving rules that favor safety over convenience. Follow through with consequences.

• Encourage teens to speak up when they don’t feel safe when driving or riding with others.
• Agree to provide a safe ride for teens anytime it’s needed.

Parents’ Role in Developing Safe Teen Drivers — Laws, FAQs and Tips

• Train teen on a variety of road types (urban, rural) and in different conditions (nighttime, rain, snow).
• Provide significant supervised driving experience for the teen — use driving skills checklist.
• Talk with teen to reinforce teen driver laws and set limits (such as passengers, nighttime driving) — use driving contract between parent and teen.
• Continue to monitor and train teens during the period of greatest crash risk — the first six to 12 months after licensure.
• FAQs — answers for parents and teens

Resources for Parents of Teen Drivers

• Teen drivers state laws- nighttime and passenger limitations, cell phone use, drinking and driving, and more.
• Teen Driver Road Rules — brochure provides overview of teen driver laws, including Minnesota’s nighttime driving and passenger limitations during the first year of licensure.
• Teens Behind the Wheel — brochure helps parents understand the risks associated with teen driving. Provides tools to help parents teach teens to be safer drivers. Includes a practice log and parent–teen driver contract.
• Driver’s License Information — Website provides driver manuals, exam locations and more.
• Driving Contract Between Teen and Parent; and Teen Driving Skills Checklist/Practice Log