A Message to Primary Driving Supervisors

Safe drivers are no accident. As the parent or guardian of a teenager just learning to drive, you play a critical role in helping your teen develop the habits and skills necessary to be a safe and responsible driver. This supervised driving guide can be used to help you make the most of the time you spend driving with your teen.

You don’t have to go it alone. Your teen has just received his/her instruction permit, allowing them to drive with you when you are occupying the passenger seat. Partnering with their driver education instructor will help you help your teen reap the benefits of this training. Your involvement is critical in ensuring your teen learns the skills needed to be the best driver possible. Commit to spending the time necessary to help them develop life-long skills.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Remind your teen that obtaining a driver’s license is a privilege that is earned by demonstrating they know and will follow the rules of the road and are committed to be a safe, responsible driver. Remind them they share the highway with many others, including their family, neighbors and friends.

Be a Role Model. Teens model the behaviors of their parents. Model the habits you want your teen to develop. They are more likely to do as you do, not as you say. Distracted driving has become an epidemic. Don’t drive distracted yourself, and impress upon your teen the importance of ALWAYS paying attention to their driving. Turn the phone off while driving.

From the Minnesota Department of Public Safety