Being the parent of a new driver can be a very trying time. In addition to worrying about the safety risks your child faces while behind the wheel, there are also numerous legal responsibilities and costs involved. However, there are things you can do to make the process less overwhelming for you and your child. Ticket School has put together the following tips for parents of new drivers.
Courses and Education
One of the single most important things you can do for your new driver is ensure that he or she has all the information necessary for success. Ticket School offers a range of courses that benefit new drivers including:
Florida Residents
The Florida Drug & Alcohol Course – This educational course is required by the state of Florida for all new drivers seeking a Florida license. It teaches drug and alcohol facts and laws, and information about how drugs and alcohol affect the body and mind.
Florida Learners Permit Test – The Learners Permit Test is a 50-question, multiple choice exam that must be passed before a learners permit is issued in Florida. Ticket School offers this exam online.
Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) – The Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course is a 4-hour course that teaches driver safety. In addition to equipping new drivers with this crucial safety information, it can also potentially qualify the driver for an auto insurance discount of up to 10%. Be sure to check with your insurance provider to see if your child is eligible.
Texas Residents
The Texas Defensive Driving Course – The Texas Defensive Driving Course is designed to teach the fundamentals of safer driving techniques. New drivers will benefit from this information and may also qualify for an auto insurance discount of up to 10% for three years. Ask your insurance provider if this benefit is available for your child.
The Texas Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program – The Texas Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program (DADA) is often taken as the result of a drug or alcohol offense; however, it can also be taken voluntarily by new drivers to learn about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and to potentially qualify for an auto insurance discount as mentioned above.
Virginia Residents
The Virginia Driver Improvement Course – The Virginia Driver Improvement Course helps Virginia drivers stay safe on the road. Drivers who complete the course voluntarily will also have five safe driver points that are applied to their driving record and may qualify for an auto insurance discount. This provides a great way for new drivers to learn safety fundamentals while potentially saving money! Please check with your auto insurance provider to see if the discount is available.
New York Residents
The New York Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program – The The New York Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program (IPIRP) is a 6-hour driver safety course that removes up to 4 points from a driver’s record for violations that occurred within the previous 18 months of taking the course. It comes with a mandatory 10% auto insurance reduction that is applied to the base rate and that remains in effect for three years. The course can be retaken every three years to keep the discount in effect.
Model Good Behavior
A key element of helping your child become a good driver is modeling good behavior yourself while behind the wheel. Always obey traffic laws, don’t drive aggressively, and make safety an on-going discussion. These practices should begin early, well before your child becomes a driver.
Observe and Offer Feedback
Once your new driver gets his or her learners permit, make sure to spend plenty of time in the car with them while they are driving. Give them ample opportunities for practice and try to create a calm, reassuring environment. Offer constructive feedback on a regular basis about what they can do to improve, but try to do it in a way that isn’t threatening or overly critical.
Discuss Serious Risks
Discussing topics like using drugs and alcohol or engaging in other potentially fatal behaviors is likely to be uncomfortable for you and your child, but it is an extremely important conversation to have. Make sure that you discuss these risks and come prepared with facts and information, and be ready to answer any questions or address concerns. Make sure that your child understands these risks and is actively engaged in the conversation, not just passively listening and waiting for it to be over.
Set Clear Rules
Set and enforce clear rules with your new driver. What will the penalties in your household be for missing curfew, breaking a traffic law, or engaging in risky behavior? Make sure that your expectations are clear and follow through on them.
Ticket School is committed to driver safety and providing the educational resources all drivers, young and old alike, need to meet their legal requirements and stay safe behind the wheel. Please contact us at 1-800-558-9887 or visit or FAQs and course pages if you have any questions or would like more information about how Ticket School can help your new driver stay safe.