Preparing for Your Teen to Get a Driver’s License

That their child is growing up fills parents with ​a mixture of pride and trepidation. True, having an extra driver in the home helps when it comes to extracurricular activities and quick trips to the grocery store, but the worry and fear of them on the road are real.

So, what are some things parents can do to prepare for their teen getting a driver's license?

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​*Know the law, especially Louisiana's "No Pay, No Play" law.

Your teen must be at least 15 yrs. old to get a learner's permit, have it for 180 days and be 16 years of age before they can get an intermediate license.
 
AND
 
Unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years old or older, the teen may not transport more than one passenger under age 21 and who is not an immediate family member, between the hours of 6 pm–5am.
 
If your teen is 16 when he/she takes Driver’s Ed and applies for a learner’s permit, they must wait until they are 17 to get a full license.
 
*Check your insurance company for their young driver’s clauses and Understand how Auto Insurance works.
 
Most Insurance companies require you to list or exclude all drivers and/or household members ages 14 and up on/from the policy.
 
If you exclude your teen from your auto policy at any time and let him/her drive, your claim will most likely not be paid should they be involved in an accident while driving. Same goes if your child does have a permit and you don’t list them on the policy.
 
Some insurance companies will list a permitted child driver at no additional cost. This is a driver with a learner’s permit only. Once the child gets a permanent license, that will change.
 
*Shop your auto policy and see which company offers the most discounts.
 
Good Student, Driver’s Safety Course and other discounts offered by various insurance companies help offset the cost of adding your young driver to your policy, so it is always wise to shop around.
 
Keep in mind also that once your teen is ready to get his/her own auto policy, prior coverage is important. Without evidence of a minimum of 6 months prior coverage, his/her rate could be significantly higher than a driver who was on their parent’s policy.
 
Now that we’ve covered some basics about insurance and the law, let’s consider some other ways to prepare teens to drive and have peace of mind when they do.
 
*Make sure all Tags, Registration, and Inspection Stickers are up to date and that your teen knows where to find these items.
 
*Does your teen know where your vehicle manual is located and how to use it? You never know when this might come in handy.
 
*Is your regular vehicle maintenance up to date? Check the tires, be sure all lights are working. Don’t wait until inspection time to replace those that aren’t. For your and their safety, do so immediately and make sure your young driver knows every aspect of operating the vehicle.
 
*Check your wiper blades. Again, don’t wait until your vehicle fails inspection. For safety’s sake, replace them now.
 
*Get an auto tool bag/roadside assistance kit for your vehicle and teach your teen/young driver how to use the items it contains. These are relatively inexpensive and have things like jumper cables, tire gauge, air compressor, flashlights, flares, and other items to aid and protect the driver should the need arise.
 
*Does your insurance policy offer Roadside Assistance? Perhaps you should add this feature. Again, this is normally a relatively inexpensive price to pay for peace of mind.
 
*What about Uninsured Motorist coverage? There are more uninsured/under insured drivers out there than you think and more inexperienced drivers than you know. This added coverage protects you or your young driver in the instance of an accident with one.

Both of these options may already be included in your policy if you have full coverage.
 
*Is your, or their, vehicle equipped with OnStar? Is your teen/young driver aware and does he/she understand how to use this feature?
 
*Don’t text or talk and drive! Have a hands-free device such as blue tooth or install a new radio that offers blue tooth options which pair with your iPhone or Smart phone.
 
*Have a phone charger/adapter in vehicle. Even though you do not want them to talk or text and drive, knowing their phone is fully charged in case of an emergency is a good idea.
 
*Place emergency contact info/numbers in the glove box or with the insurance card and registration. Give your child a copy for his/her wallet or purse and list your number in their phone as ICE (in case of emergency).
 
*Is your student’s driver’s license valid? Is he or she going to college out of state? Do you need to register and insure their vehicle in that state? Don’t assume! Call your agent and find out the facts about how your insurance works in these situations.
 
Most of us have been told by a parent or grandparent to, “do as I say, not as I do,” but the fact remains that kids learn by example. Therefore, if you want to prepare your teen to drive, teach them the proper way by adhering to the law and road safety rules yourself. Use your blinkers. Come to a complete stop. Don’t run those yellow lights. Buckle up!
 
Statistics show that 8% of all motor vehicle crashes are due to distracted drivers. Don’t be one of them and don’t let your teen be one either.
 
One more thought before we go.....

School is coming to a close and that means summer is right around the corner so check out our tips on fun in the sun and safety at festivals and watch out for those carts and 4 wheelers on or near the road! Also be sure your ATV, RV, Boat and other recreational toys are properly insured.

Not sure? Give us a call: 337-433-1683

Here's wishing you a safe and happy summer!

Tommy Curtis & Staff

REMINDER: We will be CLOSED on May 29th in observance of Memorial Day.

*article ©2023 Pamela S Thibodeaux
similar version previously published in Lagniappe; used with permission.
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