Research* suggests that once a teenager has a P-plate licence, parents should enter into a written agreement with them.
The agreement should clearly lay down the conditions of driving by the teen and the consequences of not following the rules. It also includes roles and responsibilities of the parents during this process.
Ideally the agreement should cover at least first 12 months of a teen driving solo.
The Buzz Parent-Teen Driving Agreement Template
In consultation with The Buzz Parents with ‘Ps’ advisory committee, we’ve created an agreement as a guide for you (based on the research by Monash University Accident Research Centre). But you can modify it to suit you and your teen driver.
The agreement should set clear expectations and rules about driving at night, keeping to speed limit, number of peer passengers, use of mobile phones and all other issues that worry you when your kid is behind the wheel.
It should also have parents role clearly laid out. Are they available to pick the teens up or otherwise arrange for them to get home after a late night activity?
The rules may be tailored to the individual drivers, and relaxed as they show progress.
Click here to download The Buzz Teen Driving Agreement Template.
*The Teen Driver – A report from the American Academy of Pediatrics PEDIATRICS Vol. 118 No. 6 December 2006, pp. 2570-2581 ; Going Solo- A resource for parents of P-plate drivers by Monash University Accident Research Centre
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