Teens Behind the Wheel: Not As Scary as You'd Think

Originally Posted 4/22/21 - Updated 10/25/22

Turning 16 and learning to drive is a rite of passage that most teenagers look forward to with great anticipation. For parents, the feelings may be more along the lines of sheer terror and a bittersweet realization that their baby is growing up fast.

Whether this is your first child getting a driver’s license or your last, having a new teenage driver in the house is a new experience for both of you.

Your teen might be itching to get behind the wheel independently after passing the test to get a driver’s license. However, it is important to get him or her insured first before allowing that to happen. A teenager driving without insurance is only asking for problems.

Teens And Auto Insurance

If you plan to allow the newly licensed driver to use your car, the first thing you need to do is obtain insurance for teen drivers. In fact, this should happen immediately after your son or daughter passes the driver’s test if possible. Should your schedule prevent you from getting insurance for the new driver right away, we urge you not to let your teenager use your car until a valid insurance policy is in place.

The type of insurance for teen drivers you obtain depends on whether your child will drive a parent’s car or their own car. Before your teen drives your car, you will need to add him or her to the existing auto insurance policy. 

The Cost

You can expect the cost of providing insurance for teen drivers to be higher than it is for adult drivers. Since the state has no driving history to help us set our rates, it operates under the assumption your new teen driver will have accidents and violations based on the combined driving history of this age group.

The good news is that rates decrease as your teen gains more experience and starts to establish a good driving record. Here are some ways either you or your child can save on insurance for teen drivers:

• Insist that your teen drives safely. Most states have laws in place that limit who can be in the car with a teen driver for the first six months to one year after receiving a driver’s license. This is for everyone’s safety as teenage friends tend to be a huge distraction.
  
  
• Set high standards for driving, especially if your teen will use your car. Knowing they could lose driving privileges at any moment is a big motivator for most teenagers who crave independence.
  
  
• Select an insurance policy with a higher deductible to obtain a lower premium payment.
  
  
• Teenagers who get their own car should choose something modest that is less expensive to insure. Although your 16-year-old might want a sports car, this isn’t the most practical option when it comes to obtaining insurance.
  
  
• If your teen is enrolling in a driving school, talk to your insurance executive about it as some companies offer a discount for taking those classes. 

Teen Driving: Tips for Parents

If your teenager has or will be getting his or her own car, check to see if your family qualifies for a multi-car discount. Another way to save money in this scenario is to add your son or daughter to your own policy. However, you want to avoid listing your teenager as a primary driver with Arnold Insurance. To save money, consider listing the new driver as someone who drives only occasionally or for pleasure.

We understand things can be a bit stressful right now (what parent isn’t worried about their teen driving?) but you will eventually enjoy having your teenager drive and not having to be their Uber driver anymore!