For Parents
Most of the following information is provided by the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety. You may view more information on their website HERE.
Traffic Crashes — The Second Leading Cause of Death for Minnesota Teens
For example, teens shouldn't be driving alone the first time they hit the road when it snows. Parents should practice with their teens in different types of scenarios before their teen hits the road solo.
In this video, Gordy Pehrson walks parents and teens through some tips on how you can help your teen driver be better behind the wheel.
At Headwaters Driving School we believe a teen driver can be a responsible driver. The goal for Headwaters is driver intelligence — assessing everything you see, having critical skills, and being able to react. For many driving schools the ultimate goal is to obtain your license. With Headwaters that is just the beginning as we want our drivers to have a lifetime of safe driving.
Teen Crashes Have Predictable and Preventable Patterns:
- They are prone to making simple driving errors, often while speeding.
- They are twice as likely to crash at night.
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Crashes while driving to and from school, especially after school, and with other teens in the car is common.
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Teen passengers increase distractions and promote risk-taking behaviors.
Parents' Role in Developing Safe Teen Drivers
Train and Monitor Teens' Driving, and Establish Rules
- Encourage teens to speak up when they don't feel safe when driving or riding with others.
- Agree to provide a safe ride for teens anytime it's needed.
Parents' Role in Developing Safe Teen Drivers — Laws, FAQs, and Tips
- Train teen on a variety of road types (urban, rural) and in different conditions (nighttime, rain, snow).
- Provide significant supervised driving experience for the teen — use driving skills checklist.
- Talk with teen to reinforce teen driver laws and set limits (such as passengers, nighttime driving) — use driving contract between parent and teen.
- Continue to monitor and train teens during the period of greatest crash risk — the first six to 12 months after licensure.
- FAQs — answers for parents and teens
Resources for Parents of Teen Drivers
- Teen Driver State Laws — nighttime and passenger limitations, cell phone use, drinking and driving, and more.
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Teen Driver Road Rules — brochure provides overview of teen driver laws, including Minnesota's nighttime driving and passenger limitations during the first year of licensure.
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Teens Behind the Wheel — brochure helps parents understand the risks associated with teen driving. Provides tools to help parents teach teens to be safer drivers. Includes a practice log and parent–teen driver contract.
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Driver's License Information — Website provides driver manuals, exam locations and more.
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Driving Contract Between Teen and Parent; and Teen Driving Skills Checklist/Practice Log
Teen License Parent Withdrawal Form
The Teen License Parent Withdrawal Form is available for parents to cancel the driving privileges of their teen's driver's license (under age 18).