What Is a Parent-Teen Driving Contract?

A Parent-Teen Driving Contract is a written set of expectations that parents have of their teenage drivers. It includes basic rules and consequences if a teen doesn’t follow them. 

The purpose of a contract with a young driver is to make sure they clearly understand what behaviors are safe behind the wheel and to hold them accountable. Reviewing and signing a contract teaches teens the rules imposed by the legal system and parents. It explains what the consequences will be for unsafe or unacceptable driving behaviors. 

Any parent figure who is responsible for a teen—such as parents, stepparents, custodians, or legal guardians—can create a driving contract. 

What should be included in a Parent-Teen Driving Contract

Each teen driver in a household should have a Parent-Teen Driving Contract. Singling out one child to sign an agreement and excluding siblings may cause the contract to seem unfair. Applying a contract to all teen drivers in a family reinforces its importance and that everyone is responsible for being safe behind the wheel. 

Parents should print out a blank Parent-Teen Driving Contract for each teen driver and fill it out with the rules, consequences, and rewards that may be appropriate. Teens who are allowed to participate in the process of creating the agreement may be more likely to comply with it.

If you consider a teen’s ideas, you may need to negotiate for what is acceptable driving behavior. And if you have a teen driver who refuses to participate in the contract, parents may have to say that it will be implemented even without their cooperation. 

You may also set a date when the Parent-Teen Driving Contract may be revised. If a teen demonstrates good driving behavior over a period, they may earn more privileges. Again, be sure to consult with other parental figures to make sure that everyone agrees on what constitutes unacceptable driving behavior and the punishment for violating the contract.

Save and Print the DriversEd.com Parent-Teen Driving Agreement below and share with your Teen driver today!