Parent/New Driver Contract
In all forms of human relations – friends, spouses, families, and nations – conflicts most often arise from misunderstandings. “I didn’t know. You never said. But, I thought,” are all expressions of misunderstanding. As we embark on one of the most stressful and exciting times we will ever experience as a family – teaching a teen to drive and the transition from dependent to independent. . .
WE, THE PARENTS AND THE NEW DRIVER, AGREE
on the following ground rules.
WE AGREE on the importance of trust between us, on the responsibilities we each have and the consequences associated with failure to fulfill our individual responsibilities. Bad things may happen. Mistakes might be made. Failures could occur. But, through it all what will bind us and keep us healthy and together is our agreement to a set of conditions. This agreement between
___________________________________________________________ as parents and
___________________________________________________________, the New Driver, hereby sets forth what each expects of the other.
WE AGREE on the following truths:
- Driving a car can be dangerous to your health and happiness
- New Drivers have, pro rata, significantly more accidents than experienced drivers
- Driving is a privilege, not a right
- The use of a car is a privilege, not a right
- Parents take on an awesome financial responsibility when they allow a minor child to use a family vehicle*
Therefore, in recognition of the gravity and risks associated with granting the New Driver certain driving privileges, the parties make the following stipulations:
1. WE PARENTS will approach the process of teaching our New Driver the appropriate skills with love, patience and support. We will accept that this is a learning process and do everything in our power to mentor and coach the New Driver through each level of learning. We understand that our role is to encourage, not to criticize; to demonstrate, not to remonstrate. We will accept whatever pace the Driver achieves in developing skills at their pace and not try to rush the process. We recognize that this is a physical skill we are teaching and everyone develops at a different pace.
2. I, as NEW DRIVER, AGREE to the following rules governing the use of any vehicle:
2.1 There will be no alcohol or drugs permitted in the car at any time. I promise to eject anyone who violates this rule, or to call my parents if I am unable to get the offenders to vacate the car.
2.2 I promise to consume zero alcohol or drugs prior to driving the car. There is no such thing in this agreement as “acceptable blood alcohol limit.”
2.3 I will wear seat belts whenever the car is in motion and demand that all passengers do the same. WE JOINTLY AGREE that failure on any of these counts will result in the suspension of driving privileges for ____________ months/days.
3. WE JOINTLY AGREE that the New Driver may, at any time he or she deems appropriate, call the Parents for alternate transportation home to avoid either riding in or driving a car where alcohol or drugs are involved. WE AGREE that such an incident shall not affect future driving privileges.
4. WE JOINTLY AGREE on the following rules regarding curfews:
4.1 The New Driver will observe those specific limitations set forth in state law.
4.2 The New Driver must be home with the car by ______ p.m. unless there is a specific agreement on an alternate time.
4.3 As the New Driver demonstrates reliability, we agree to adjust those times to reflect greater freedom.
4.4 Failure to observe curfew shall result in a suspension of driving privileges for ________ months/days.
__________________________________________________________________________________
The Parents
__________________________________________________________________________________
The New Driver
Date: ______________________________________