Driving Rules for Your Teen Drivers

Congratulations! Your child has learned the driving rules for teenage drivers, just passed their driver’s test, and received a license. This is a major milestone for both of you. Passing the driver’s test means they understand teen driving rules, but it doesn’t mean they’ve developed safe driving habits yet.

As your teen gains independence, remember that you are still financially responsible for any damage that occurs when they’re behind the wheel. A single teen driving ticket will likely raise your insurance premiums.

To protect your child’s safety and your financial security, it’s wise to establish your own household driving rules for your newly minted driver.

Why Setting Clear Rules Matters

Learning the driving rules for teenage drivers is just the beginning. Consistently implementing them is critical. Teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than adults, according to the CDC. Their brains are still developing, especially in areas responsible for judgment, impulse control, and long-term decision-making. That makes quick choices, peer pressure, and distractions far more dangerous behind the wheel.

Research also shows that parents are the primary influence on teens' safe driving — more impactful than driver’s education or law enforcement.

Establish Household Driving Expectations

Setting clear household teen driving rules provides structure and reinforces that driving is a responsibility, not just a privilege. Before your teen begins driving alone, clearly outline your expectations for car use, destination limits, curfews, and the consequences if rules are broken.

When talking with your teen, clarify that these rules aren’t about parental control. A ticket — or worse, a collision — financially affects the entire household. Their safe driving protects everyone under your roof, not just themselves.

Using the formal CDC Parent-Teen Driving Agreement helps clarify expectations and introduces your teen to the real-world responsibilities that come with driving, a true step toward adulthood.

Consider printing out the CDC Agreement or a sheet of your household’s teen driving rules to help everyone understand what’s expected of them. You should also put together a list of consequences if your new driver breaks the rules. This might include revoking keys and driving privileges for a set period.

Limit Nighttime Driving for New Drivers

Most tasks are more difficult when the light is low, and shadows are playing tricks on your eyes. Driving is perhaps one of the most dangerous things you can do at night — especially for teen drivers who are still gaining experience. Even if your teen has their headlights on, you never know who might be driving near them with dim or burnt-out headlights or taillights. Spotting pedestrians and cyclists is also more difficult in low light.

Nighttime driving also increases teen crash risk and the likelihood of encountering drunk drivers. That’s why under California’s driving rules for teenage drivers, newly licensed drivers may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during their first year unless supervised by a licensed adult.

Set limits on how often your teen is allowed to drive at night until they are more experienced. No weekend nighttime driving or setting strict weekend curfews may help reduce your child’s risk of being in an accident.

It’s also a good idea to take your teen driving at night and ride as a passenger. This allows you to observe how well they follow teen driving rules on the road and encourage safe nighttime driving habits as they gain experience.

Eliminate Distractions: Phone Policies & Beyond

It’s common knowledge that cell phones and cars don’t mix. Yet many drivers — especially teens — still use their phones when driving. Make a no-phone policy one of your most important household teen driving rules. Be sure to encourage your child to keep their phone out of reach and to turn off the sound when driving. If the phone is in the glove compartment or backseat and is turned off or set to silent, it’s easier to forget it’s there.

Most smartphones offer a Do Not Disturb While Driving mode that prevents incoming calls, texts, and notifications from distracting drivers. It’s vital that you model this driving rule for teenage drivers. Cell phone use while driving is dangerous for all drivers, not just your teen.

Other distractions can also cause a teen driver to swerve or make mistakes. Set up teen driving rules around changing the radio station, eating and drinking, or even looking for something while driving. Even without a phone in hand, distracted driving is one of the most dangerous gambles your teen can make. Even when it doesn’t cause an accident, a teen driving ticket will raise your rates.

Control Passenger Numbers & Environment

Having friends in their car may be even more distracting for your teen than a cell phone. Talking, laughing, and enjoying the company of their peers can shift your teen’s focus away from the road and lead to an increased risk of accidents.

Many states, including California, use graduated licensing laws that limit the number of passengers teen drivers can carry. Some restrictions include requiring friends to ride in the back seat and allowing multiple passengers only if an adult over 21 is in the car. A good driving rule for teenage drivers in your household is to allow only one passenger at a time while your teen driver is still learning. Encourage your young adult and their friends to be respectful of one another when driving, such as limiting conversation and reducing distractions.

Define Safe Driving Boundaries & Conditions

The freedom of the open road can be tempting for new drivers. Help keep your young driver safe by placing restrictions on where they can and can’t go in your local area. As your driver gets more experience on the road, you can lift these restrictions.

In addition to physical boundaries, set speed limits and highway boundaries as well until your teen is a confident enough driver to handle certain situations. For example, a highway with a 75 mph speed limit during rush hour is probably not ideal for a new driver. Rain, fog, and high winds also increase the risk of accidents, especially for new drivers, so set clear weather-related limits as part of your rules.

Work with your teen to gain experience driving in different situations. You can take them out on a speedy highway during mid-morning traffic lulls, for instance. This helps your driver get used to higher speeds in a less stressful, less crowded environment.

Reinforce Rules of the Road & Regular Conversation

Passing their driving test doesn’t mean that your child remembers or follows every driving rule for teenage drivers. Make safe driving tips and discussions of traffic laws part of your regular conversations to maintain an open dialogue about safe driving.

Frequent, calm conversations help reinforce buckling up and following the speed limit. It can also serve as a valuable refresher for you. Make driving safety an open conversation between you and your teen. After all, they may have learned something in driver’s ed that you forgot about — making you both safer drivers.

Insurance Implications & What Parents Should Know

Preparing your teen to drive safely and obey the teen driving rules should also include helping them understand how insurance works. Teen drivers are more likely to be in accidents, and California’s financial responsibility laws mean parents usually carry the cost when something goes wrong.

Before your teenager begins driving alone, review your policy together and confirm the coverage requirements under CA teenage driving rules. A single teen driving ticket can raise insurance rates — sometimes for years — so explaining these consequences helps reinforce safe habits.

Adding your teen to your policy may inccrease your premium, but some insurers offer discounts for good grades and safe-driver programs. Talk with a licensed agent before your kid begins driving to make sure both of you understand the risks and protections involved.

Resources & Next Steps for Parents and Teens

Establishing your household’s driving rules for teenage drivers is just the start. Continue checking in with your new driver as they gain experience and revise your guidelines together over time. Reviewing California’s teen driving rules, updates from the DMV, and what happens after a teen driving ticket can help keep expectations clear as your teen grows into more driving responsibility.

Preparing your teen to be a safe driver can be quite worrisome, so we’re here to help guide you in this new milestone. Make sure your young driver has the appropriate insurance coverage before they hit the road. Call one of our helpful agents today to learn more about the steps you need to take.