Teenage Driver’s Contract

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DRIVING PRIVILEGES AGREEMENT

Presented by Bruce A. Hagen

www.hagen-law.com

I, __________________________, recognizing that my parents are giving me permission

to drive a car, and understanding the awesome responsibility that operating a car entails, hereby

freely and voluntarily enter into the following agreement and understanding.

____ I understand that I am being granted permission to drive. Permission to drive is not a legal

right: It is granted to me by my parents, who are under no obligation to do so, and who may

withdraw the privilege at any time. The State’s role is to determine that I meet the minimum

requirements for a license. I understand that I will only be allowed to drive when I am willing to

abide by the rules and regulations established by my parents.

I recognize that driving a car is a very serious matter. I recognize that…

____ Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death of people 16-20 years old.

____ I am more likely to die in an auto accident than from any other cause.

____ Recklessness or errors that I make while driving could kill or hurt me, passengers in the

car I drive, and/or people in other cars and pedestrians. Among those that could be victims of my

driving mistakes are: Infants, children, my friends, my family members, parents of children, and

many others.

____ I will abide by laws regulating driving. I will observe and abide by posted speed limits. I

will abide by rules established by my parents. I recognize these are for my protection and the

protection of others.

____ I understand that the car I drive is property of my parents. Even a car that is a “gift” to me

is still, legally, the property of my parents. I drive the car only with permission.

____ I understand that my parents and I must be able to reach a written agreement in order for

me to be permitted to drive. I understand that the terms of this agreement may be changed based

on how I handle the freedom and responsibility of driving. The rules will get stricter if my

parents judge that I am not doing well. The same rules may get somewhat less strict if my

parents judge that I am doing well.

____ I understand that, until I reach the age of 18, any criminal or negligent acts that I commit

may also lead to personal liability on the part of my parents, including possible incarceration,

financial liability for my recklessness, and other serious consequences that threaten the well

being that my parents have worked hard to achieve.

____I must study and be aware of the terms of this contract. “Forgetting” any part of the

contract is not an excuse.

THREE CRITICAL RULES

– If my parents deny me permission to drive, for whatever reason, I will abide by this

and give them my keys immediately with no argument or debate. I may ask to meet

with my parent(s) no earlier than 24 hours later to talk about it. Refusal to immediately

surrender keys will result in the car being immobilized. This will be done with a steering

wheel lock (“The Club”) or some other method. NO EXCEPTIONS. If my parents

immobilize the car I drive because I did not obey the above rule, two to four weeks will

pass, at my parents’ choice, before any discussion will occur about driving again.

Another incident of failure to surrender keys on demand will lead to indefinite suspension

of driving privileges.

– If I drive in defiance of my parents’ order not to drive, this contract is cancelled and

no driving will be permitted for the next six months.

– If I drive in defiance of my parents’ order not to drive, my parents may call the

police.

RULES-Category A

These rules, if violated, will lead to indefinite suspension of driving privileges. This is the

most serious set of rules. I understand that I may lose my driving privileges indefinitely if any

one of these is violated even once.

1. No alcohol use/abuse. Even though some minors drink, as a minor, it is illegal for me to drink

alcohol. I understand that my parents do not permit me to drink. However, if I do so, I will not

drive for 24 hours after my last use of alcohol in ANY amount.

2. No drug use/abuse. I will not drive for 72 hours after my last use of any “substance.” In this

agreement, “substance” means any drug or chemical (including but not limited to marijuana,

pills, inhalants, and other drugs) that would be expected by my parents to alter my ability to

drive. There is no acceptable amount of any substance of this kind. If I use any drugs, I will

not drive for 72 hours. This rule may include medications prescribed to me or over-the-counter

medications. In the cases of legal medications, I will inform my parents of any such medications

I have taken so that they can judge whether taking these medications will interfere with my

driving ability. Furthermore:

a. No riding with others who have used alcohol or drugs. I will not ride as a passenger with

any driver who has used alcohol or any substance as defined above. I will not ride with any one

who it would be reasonable to think may have used alcohol or drugs, when I am unsure if they

have.

b. Alternatives to riding with others who have used alcohol or drugs. If I find myself in a

situation as described above, I will contact my parents or another designated adult to arrange for

transportation. I understand that my parents will appreciate that behavior and will make every

effort to avoid asking me a lot of questions about it. My parents have assured me that I may

call them at any time of day or night if I find myself in a dangerous situation of any kind.

c. No alcohol or drugs in car. I will not allow alcohol or illegal drugs in the car. My parents

will hold me responsible for any alcohol or drugs in the car, even if they don’t belong to me or it

is the fault of someone riding in my car. IF IT IS IN THE CAR, IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE

MINE AND I WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

3. No thrill-seeking/stunts. I will not engage in any thrill-seeking behavior while driving. I will

not drive for recreation. Driving too fast, racing of all kinds, and any kind of “stunt” involving a

car is NOT ALLOWED. Driving is for transportation ONLY.

4. Informing parents about accidents & police encounters. I will inform my parents about any

and all tickets, accidents, and encounters with police.

5. No firearms or other weapons. I will not drive with any guns or other deadly weapons in the

vehicle.

6. No Texting, emailing, or use of a cell phone, PDA, or other handheld device while the car is

moving. If I need to communicate with anyone, I will make sure I am stopped and in a safe

area before making any attempt at using the phone or PDA. I know that the use of these

devices is a HUGE distraction to me and that distracted drivers cause car wrecks.

RULES-Category B

Violations will lead to suspension of driving privileges for up to three months.

1. Permission to Drive. I must ask permission to drive each time I drive. Exceptions to this rule

will be given for regularly scheduled transportation to school, practice, work, regular meetings,

etc. I will ask permission to drive to specific locations and will discuss the route planned. I will

be certain that my parents know where I am. I will not make unscheduled stops or side trips. I

WILL BE TRUTHFUL AND HONEST WITH MY PARENTS IN MAKING SURE THAT

THEY ARE AWARE OF MY WHEREABOUTS.

2. Curfew. I may not drive after Midnight unless I have specifically obtained permission from

my parents to do so.

3. Limit on passengers. I will abide by State law regarding the number of passengers in my

vehicle. I will also abide by any rules that my parents give me regarding the number of

passengers I may have in that car at any given time.

3. Off-Limit Areas. I will not drive on streets, highways, or in areas that are designated as

off-limits. I understand that greater flexibility in these matters will come as I gain experience and

show that I am honoring the agreement. For the time being, the following roads and areas are to

be avoided if at all possible: I-285, I-85, I-75 and I-20.

4. No one else drives vehicle. I will not permit any other person to drive the car without my

parents’ specific permission for each specific case.

RULES-CATEGORY C

Violations may lead to suspension of driving privileges for up to six weeks.

1.Weather/road conditions. I will respect weather and road conditions, slowing down as

needed for safety. I will contact my parents to discuss bad weather or poor road conditions prior to driving.

2. Emotional upset. Knowing that judgment and driving skills are altered by emotions, I will not

drive when I am upset or angry. If upset, I will contact my parents for transportation and I

reserve the right to maintain my privacy regarding personal matters. My parents agree not to ask

a lot of unnecessary questions.

3. Taking care of vehicle. It is my responsibility to protect the car I drive. I will keep it

reasonably clean and maintained. I have some specific responsibilities regarding the maintenance

of the car as noted below.

4. Passenger behavior. I will not allow my passengers to behave in such a way as to damage the

car or distract me while driving.

5. Seatbelts. I will wear my seatbelt at all times and require all passengers to wear them.

6. Friends ride only with their parents’ permission. When transporting my friends, I will be

reasonably sure that they have their parents’ permission to ride with me.

7. Thank You For Not Smoking. I will not allow smoking in the car. I will not smoke in the

car.

8. No eating & driving. I will not eat while driving.

9. Car audio system. I will be allowed to have the stereo on but will make no adjustments to it

other than changing the volume while driving. Under no circumstances will I change a CD or

cassette or adjust my Ipod while driving. I will change these only when stopped or pulled over.

10. CELL PHONES and Other electronics. Except in the case of a genuine emergency, I will

not talk on the cell phone while the vehicle is moving. Under no circumstance will I send or

read text messages while the vehicle is moving. (Initial here to confirm:_________).

11. No rushing. Accidents are more likely to happen when I rush. I am more likely to rush when

I leave late. Therefore, my parents reserve the right to not allow me to drive unless I leave by a

time they specify. For example, if my parents tell me that I must allow 20 minutes to get to

something that starts at 7:00 , I may not leave later than that. In such cases, my parents will

attempt to provide alternative transportation, to whatever extent possible.

12. Attention to Driving. I will not do things while driving that distract me from the road.

SPECIAL ITEMS:

1. Tickets and moving violations will result in suspension of my driving privileges for a period

to be determined by my parents. My parents have no obligation to pay my fines for

driving-related tickets.

2. Financial. I will make certain financial contributions to the purchase of the car, maintenance

of the car, and/or insurance, in a manner deemed appropriate by my parents.

3. Family obligations. I agree to provide transportation to family members at the directive of my

parents. Fulfilling these obligations is a condition of my use of a car. Sometimes these

responsibilities will override my own desires and interests in using the car.

4. General life responsibilities. I agree that I must be responsible to drive safely and that my

parents must believe I am relatively responsible in order to allow me to drive. They may,

therefore, take into account how I handle my general responsibilities, including schoolwork,

athletic participation, employment, household duties, etc. I will also maintain a respectful

attitude. I will not ask my parents to allow me to drive when I am rude and disrespectful to them

or to others.

5. Right to clear expectations. My parents have a right to expect me to be responsible. I have a

right to be told what this means. For this reason, I may ask my parents for clarification of their

requirement that I “be responsible.”

6. Changes in this agreement. I understand that this contract will be made more strict at any

time my parents believe that is the best thing to do. I understand that if I consistently abide by

these rules that my parents will work with me to make the contract less strict as I gain

experience. However, I understand that–bottom line–it is my parents’ choice and responsibility

to change or not change the contract. We will review this agreement and perhaps make

changes to it on _________________________ (insert date six months from date of signature),

or earlier if my parents or I wish to do so.

7. All in the Name of Love. I understand that my parents are not insisting that I sign and

comply with this contract just to make my life difficult. I recognize that my parents love me

deeply and want what is best for me, and that my compliance with this contract will help both

them and me to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

8. Other. (Insert any specifics as needed)

Summary: I agree to abide by the rules in this contract and I accept the consequences and

penalties if I do not. I recognize my parents’ authority in deciding if I may drive. That authority

is final until I am an adult living independent of my parents.

Signatures

_________________________________ _________________ (date)

Teenage Driver

________________________________ _________________ (date)

Parent(s)

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