| The day your child starts to learn how to | | | | Department of Motor Vehicles to register for |
| drive is an exciting day for them-and a | | | | a learner's permit, you'll likely need to |
| potentially terrifying day for you! As you | | | | sign a consent form if he or she is 17 or |
| get ready to put your teenager on the road | | | | younger. In addition, your child will need to |
| toward driving independence, make sure he or | | | | bring a Social Security card, as well as |
| she is prepared with this must-do checklist: | | | | proof of identity and date of birth, which |
| | | | can include a learner's permit, a |
| 1. Enroll your teen in a driver's education | | | | state-issued identification card, a passport |
| course. | | | | or an official copy of a birth certificate. |
| | | | Photocopies are unacceptable, so if you do |
| Many high schools offer elective classes in | | | | not have the original birth certificate |
| driver's education to students throughout the | | | | handy, you can order a copy well in advance |
| year. Independent, state-accredited driving | | | | through official document service providers, |
| schools that offer weekend or evening | | | | such as VitalChek.com, a government |
| instruction are also an option. In lieu of | | | | authorized service, or directly through your |
| formal study, several states will accept | | | | state's vital records office or Web site. |
| proof of completion (signed by a parent) of | | | | |
| 30 hours of driving time. | | | | 5. Add your child to your car insurance. |
| | | | |
| 2. Get in plenty of practice on the road. | | | | Discount insurance rates are popular for new |
| | | | drivers, and prices vary from plan to plan. |
| Find an empty parking lot or a street with | | | | Reduced fees for good students (B average or |
| light traffic to start with driving basics, | | | | above) are common, as are deals for teens who |
| then move to more well-traveled roads and | | | | have completed defensive driving courses or |
| highways as your teen's skills and confidence | | | | remained accident-free for a year after |
| increase. Consider additional formal training | | | | receiving their licenses. Contact your |
| as well, such as specialized defensive | | | | insurance agent to learn which discounts may |
| driving courses and high-performance driving | | | | apply to your new driver. |
| schools that give teens hands-on training in | | | | |
| driving during emergency situations and bad | | | | 6. Discuss driving restrictions. |
| weather. | | | | |
| | | | Many states have laws that restrict drivers |
| 3. Study the written materials carefully. | | | | from having more than two passengers in the |
| | | | car if the driver is under the age of 21, |
| Each state has a driver's manual that | | | | unless a parent or guardian is present or the |
| outlines the rules of the road, driving | | | | passengers are immediate family members. In |
| techniques, road signs and other practical | | | | many states, the supervising driver must be |
| driving information. These manuals are | | | | 21 or older, have a valid driver's license |
| provided to students enrolled in a driver's | | | | and must ride in the front passenger seat. |
| education course, or can be picked up at the | | | | Check with your local Department of Motor |
| local driver's license office. In many cases, | | | | Vehicles to see what rules apply where you |
| you can find and download a copy of a driver | | | | live. |
| manual from your state's official Web site. | | | | |
| Interactive practice tests may also be | | | | Parents should set their own limits until |
| available online. | | | | they feel comfortable with their teen's |
| | | | driving experience, such as no driving with |
| 4. Make sure you have an official copy of | | | | passengers for the first six months after |
| your child's birth certificate and proper | | | | receiving their driver's license, no cell |
| identification. | | | | phone use, restrictions on stereo volume and |
| | | | setting a curfew to avoid late-night driving. |
| When you accompany your teen to the | | | | |