Teens: What to do when handing over the keys

What happens when the kids grow out of the backseat and into the driver's seat? Some safety guidelines can help parents assure their children’s safety.

“Vehicle dependability is just as important for young drivers as it is for adults,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “No parent wants their children to be stranded somewhere.”

Simple reminders can help young drivers avoid accidents caused by mechanical failure. That includes basics like changing oil and maintaining tire pressure.

“You can make it part of the rite of passage to handing over the car keys,” White said. “It’s a great time to start developing proper maintenance habits.”

White suggests the following:

• All cars, new and old, need regular attention. Make sure teenagers follow maintenance schedules for their cars. Preventative maintenance helps improve car safety and can save thousands of dollars during a lifetime of driving.
• Make sure teens read the driver’s manual before they head down the road. The manual is full of information your young driver may not know. It’s the vehicle’s “bible.”
• Make it fun. The internet contains lots of sites for asking vehicle-related questions. Let your teen send tough questions to the professionals.
• Take them with you to the repair facility, the tire store, the body shop and wherever you have automotive work performed. Get teens accustomed to the automotive world—its people, places, jargon and prices.
• Get teens a book on auto maintenance as a going-away gift. You can find a wealth of material written for non-technical audiences.
• Help them create a safety plan. What happens if the car breaks down? What if there’s an accident or the vehicle is stolen? Who should they call? Keep some basic guidelines and phone numbers in the glove compartment.

“The majority of new teen drivers are focused on the driving experience,” White said. “Having a car also means an obligation to care for the vehicle itself.”