• Know the Risks
    • Teen Driver Risks
      • Distracted Driving
      • Nighttime and Drowsy Driving
      • Speeding and Street Racing
      • Low Safety Belt Use
      • Impaired Driving
    • Teen Passenger Risks
      • Keep the Driver Distraction Free
      • Help Keep the Driver Alert and Awake at Night
      • Know Why Speeding is Dangerous and Reckless
      • Always Wear a Seat Belt
      • Steer Clear of Impaired Drivers
    • Respect the Rig Truck and Bus Safety
      • Big Rig Events
    • Rail Safety
    • Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
    • External Links and Resources
  • Be Involved
    • Learn How to Start TDS
    • Sign Up Your School / Request Virtual Access
    • Event / Activity Form for All-Star Points
    • @TeensDriverSeat Takeover
    • Be a Teen Influencer
    • Apply to Be a Teen Advisory Board Member
    • Take the Pledge to Keep Our Drive Alive
    • Find Your Regional Representative
  • Take Action
    • Get Activity Ideas
    • Download Activity Items, Posters, and More
    • See and Share Videos
    • #BeTheChange with Tyson Dever
    • Find Speakers and Educators
    • Teens in the Driver Seat in Georgia
    • Teens in the Driver Seat in Colorado
  • Events & Contests
    • Events Calendar
    • All-Star Reward Program
      • Event / Activity Form for All-Star Points
      • TDS All-Stars Leaderboard
      • All-Stars Distractions Unit
      • All-Stars Nighttime Drowsy Driving Unit
      • All-Stars Speeding Unit
      • All-Stars Seat Belts Unit
      • All-Stars Share the Road Unit
      • All-Stars Impaired Unit
    • Big Rig Events
    • Driving the Message Contest
    • Extra Mile Senior Activity
    • Safe Driving Summit, 2021
    • Social Media Teen Influencer
    • SponStar Awards
      • Teacher Discounts
    • Teen Advisory Board
      • Teen Advisory Board Application
    • Teen of the Month
    • Track-A-Thon Contest
    • Zero Hero
  • You in the Driver Seat App
  • About Us
    • News
    • Contact Us
    • Where We Are and Your Regional Representative
    • Partners
    • Private Partnering Opportunities
    • Donate
    • History and Recognition
    • 20 Year Report Card
  • Login

Teens in the Driver Seat

A peer-to-peer safe driving program for your school.

Text iDrive to 1-888-825-1346 for TDS and safety text messages.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Ride With [email protected]

If you are a school looking for the Ride With Me Junior High activity, visit this page>

So it’s time to start learning to drive! It’s an exciting time and there is so much information to take in, plus there are the steps to getting a license, GDL laws, and so much to learn! As you and your family begin navigating the path to becoming a licensed driver, here is some information to help you find your way and also help your parents make the transition from driving you around all the time, to helping you gain independence. This information is designed to be learned together, discussed, and shared with parents.

The Facts

Get stats and information on preventing teen driver crashes.

  • Distractions – such as cell phones/texting and other teens in the car
  • Driving at night
  • Speeding and Street Racing
  • Not wearing a seat belt
  • Driving under the influence

Let’s Talk About GDL

Graduated Driver Licensing Laws are designed to give new drivers the chance to gain experience and improve their driving skills over time in lower risk environments. There are usually three phases:

  1. Driver Education consists of coursework and supervised driving
  2. Provisional Licensing where teen is driving in a controlled environment (passenger limitations and nighttime driving restrictions)
  3. Full driving privileges

Find Graduated Driver Licensing Laws in your state>

It is important to remember that GDL Laws are the minimum prescribed laws to keep teens safe, but there are additional steps and recommendations you can and should take to help prevent car crashes.

Additional Resources

High School student-parent safe driving agreement. English / Spanish

Middle School student-parent safe passenger agreement. English / Spanish

Sitting the Right Way – the proper fit for passengers in a car. English / Spanish

Learning Videos:

See all the videos on our YouTube playlist

Remember:

  • Be the driver you want your teen to be.
  • When you are driving with your teen in the car, talk through what you are doing and why, such as checking the mirrors, steps to changing lanes, looking around before accelerating at a green light, etc.
  • Make sure everyone in your family abides by the zero tolerance for cell phone use while driving.
  • Demand full seat belt compliance by every driver and every passenger.
  • Know that each passenger, including siblings, in a teen’s car increases the likelihood of a crash.
  • Don’t push a teen who, for whatever reason, is not ready to drive safely.
  • Be prepared to support your teen as they gain experience and learn to make mature decisions behind the wheel.
  • Allow your teen as much driving practice as possible (at least 50 hours), with you present.
  • The first year of licensing is most dangerous. Continue to check in with your teen by riding with them to look for any new bad habits.
  • Shared family vehicles are safer for young drivers.
  • Involved parents have safer teen drivers. Talk through each driving trip before your teen leaves – gauge their state-of-mind, know where they are going, how they will get there, and their timeline. If your teen is stressed, tired, upset, or even too excited, they shouldn’t drive.
  • Use the GDL as a baseline for rules. Many state GDL laws do not go far enough to protect young drivers.

Read more tips from Tim Hollister at Reid’s Dad> and watch his moving story>

Get Tim Hollister’s book, Not So Fast>

Take the Parent Pledge

pledge_web

Additional Resources

State Farm Teen Driver Information>

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Teen Driver Source>

AutoCoach 2.0 – Free Teen Driver Training App for Parents

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention>

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Copyright © 2023 Texas A&M Transportation Institute

All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
Comments, suggestions or queries? Contact Us!


Youth Transportation Safety Program
c/o Texas A&M Transportation Institute
1100 NW Loop 410, Ste 605, San Antonio, TX 78213-2255
Ph: (210) 979-9411
Fax: (210) 321-1299

TTI Logo

Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3135
Ph: (979) 845-9008
Fax: (979) 845-9848

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)