New Driver Contract for Safe Driving

Written by Rixey-Berry Insurance Group, Inc.

Parenting

Despite the classes and the tests and on-the-road training, young drivers often lose their way when it comes to safety. To clarify parental expectations and ground rules, this contract was developed by a father and insurance company president for both his children and his clients. Each point should be checked as you review it with your young driver. Feel free to adapt the rules to your family.

Conditions to Maintain Driving Privileges

1. I will obey all traffic laws and drive defensively.________
2. I will always wear seat belt both as a driver and passenger.________
3. I will pull over and stop if a passenger's behavior distracts me in ANY way from safely operating the car.________
4. I will not use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal substances, nor permit a passenger in the car to use tobacco, alcohol or illegal substances. I will not ride in a car driven by anyone that has consumed or possesses any alcohol or illegal substances.________
5. I will not participate in any situation that involves reckless driving.________
6. If I find myself in an alcohol or drug related situation, or one that involves reckless driving, or any other situation where my judgement advises me that I would be better off to leave, I will leave. If I find that not participating will leave me without transportation, I will call my parents at any time of the day or night. The situation will be discussed calmly and no repercussions will result from the call.________
7. I will not drive another vehicle, nor permit anyone to drive my vehicle, except in a genuine emergency such as illness or injury.
8. I will keep my parents advised of my destination, anticipated time of return and any deviations or delays greater than 15 minutes.________
9. I will not travel out of ____________________without advanced permission from my parents._________
10. I will report all traffic violations or accidents to my parents on the day of the occurrence.________
11. I will willingly respond to my parents' request for chauffeur duty or running errands and I will also be willing to enter into a calm discussion when I believe the request is not reasonable.________
12. I will check the fluid levels each time I put gasoline in the car, immediately report any mechanical malfunctions and not drive the car if unknown sounds or noises are heard, dashboard warning indicators are lit or steering is impaired in any way._______
13. I will not disassemble or modify the car in any way.________
14. I will keep the car's exterior clean and its interior spaces clean and free of trash and clutter at all times._______
15. My grade point average and/or teacher comments about classroom effort and attitude will be satisfactory, or my parents reserve the right to restrict my driving privileges.________
16. Total passengers will be limited to ___unless with special permission.________
17. When driving to school, I must leave the house no later than ____a.m.________
18. During inclement weather, I must respect parents' wishes not to drive.________
19. I will respect my parents' decision not to allow me to drive if they feel the distance I need to travel is too far or if the time of night is too late.________
20. I will not eat while I am driving.________

NON-COMPLIANCE with driving privilege conditions result in SUSPENSION OF PRIVILEGES as listed below:

1. Traffic violations or at-fault accidents: one to six weeks, and pay additional insurance costs.________
2. Alcohol or drug-related situations: 3 months to one year. I also agree to receive counseling for my illegal behavior.________
3. Driving another person's vehicle or allowing another person to drive mine: two days to 4 weeks.________
4. I do not notify parents of delays: 15-30 minute delay: one day personal use; 30 minutes - l hour delay: loss of next Saturday driving, 1 +hour delay: one additional day per every 15 minutes of delay beginning following Friday.________
5. I do not notify parents of change in destination: One weekday to one month personal driving.________
6. I disassemble or modify, or do not notify parents of low fluid levels or mechanical malfunction, operate vehicle when it may be safe: one to three weeks._______
7. I do not keep vehicle reasonably clean: one to three weekdays.________
8. Academic problems: personal use privileges may be suspended until improvement can be proved.________
9. Drives with passengers exceeding limit: one day to one week.________
10. Lack of responsible behavior on inclement weather days: one day to one week.________

Parent: ______________________Date_____________

Teen: _______________________Date_____________