How to Get Prepared for a Teen Driver

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. –Getting a driver’s license is one of the first signs of growing up. For most teens it is a right of passage into adulthood. Are you a family who has a teen driver? We know that seeing your child get behind the wheel can be scary. That is why at Graff Mt. Pleasant we want to give you a few tips on how to get prepared for a teen driver. Below you can learn how to properly prepare your child for hitting the road, and how to guide them into being safe drivers for the rest of their life.

Implement Your Own Rules
Your teen driver may have learned the rules of the road in their driver’s education course, but it is important that rules are set in the house as well. Rules that could be implemented include: restricting your teen’s night time driving by setting a curfew, limit the number of passengers that your teen is allowed to have in the vehicle, set a strict “no phone” rule to help encourage the habit of not texting and driving.

Discuss Driving Cost
Sit down with your teen to talk about the cost of ownership with a vehicle. Driving is not a free luxury. By explaining the cost of gasoline, vehicle maintenance, and insurance, your teen will have a better understanding of what vehicle ownership entails. It’s been shown that teens that also contribute to the cost of ownership have a better respect for the vehicle and take driving more seriously.

Set A Good Example
The best way to have your teen become a safe driver is to be one yourself. Show your teen driver how always buckling up, never using the phone, and avoiding other distractions (like eating while driving) keep you safe and alert on the road.

Provide Passenger Seat Supervision
Your teens may have their license but they are still new drivers. Studies show that teens who have parent support and still receive supervision after they pass their driver’s test, will be least likely to drive and drive and talk on the phone while behind the wheel. By coaching your teen when you are in the passenger seat you help encourage positive habits like wearing a seat belt and not speeding.

Choose A Safe Car
Most teen drivers do not drive brand new vehicles. Many are given a vehicle that their parents already own. If you are looking for a vehicle for your teen, look for something that is reliable and includes top safety features.

After learning how to get prepared for a teen driver you may find yourself still nervous, but rest assured you will help encourage safety and alertness while instilling positive habits. When it comes to a safe vehicle for your teen and your family, visit our experts at Graff Chevrolet Mt. Pleasant. We will get you behind the wheel of a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. This sophisticated sedan offers safety technologies like the Teen Driver feature. Teen Driver is a safety feature that includes muting the radio until your teen is buckled, and alerting your teen of when they are reaching a max set speed. Now you can know they are in good hands when you cannot be in the car with them.

Not sure on whether you should buy or lease your teens first vehicle? Take a look at our new and improved Buying vs. Leasing page. You can compare and contrast both options and know which one will be best for your family. Take it a step further with our How to Buy and How to Lease pages. Learn the process and common terms used when getting your next vehicle at Graff Chevrolet Mt. Pleasant.

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube