Teen Driver Vows

Entering into a partnership of any sort requires an agreement or contract between all parties involved; sometimes that contract is verbal, but more often than not there’s a written agreement.  For example, when you open a bank account and there’s a written contract between you and the bank, each of you acknowledges what the other agrees to do – you will deposit your money and the bank will pay you interest.  When a couple gets married, there’s a verbal agreement between one partner and the other; a vow to love, honor and cherish, blah blah blah all said in front of witnesses so there’s no wiggle room.  Agreements, contracts, vows… what they all do is establish a standard or a set of rules by which all parties agree to abide.

While a somewhat new concept, a contract that evidences the partnership between a teenage driver and her parents should also be formalized, so that a standard is established.  First and foremost, it should be made clear that failure to abide by the standards is grounds for termination of the agreement – solely at the discretion of the parent. (Note to teenage driver:  Tough.)

Now, drawing up a driving contract doesn’t mean you have to hire a lawyer and track down a notary.  What it does mean is that you and your teenage driver will have to sit down together and calmly discuss exactly what it is that you expect of her, and she in turn will have an opportunity to modify your proposal (within reason).  (Note to teenage driver:  Tough.)

So what goes into this proposal between you and your teenage driver?  Let’s go find out.

Your portion of a good agreement might go something like this:

You to Your Teenage Driver:

“I vow to give you the privilege of driving the car (out of the goodness of my heart and at great personal sacrifice) in exchange for your agreement to the following terms and conditions… (see Part 2)”

While your teenage driver may not agree with this statement (especially once they see Part 2), this is harder on you than it is on your child.  You will have to accept the fact that – because you are giving them this opportunity – they will become much more independent now.  From here on out, they will keep going and going and going until they’re gone.  And with that freedom comes more worry for you… and more gray hair, more stomach acid, more nervous twitches, etc.

Until the day comes when your child has her own child, she will view your worries and concerns as “over-protectiveness” on your part.  Until that day, she won’t understand that it’s pure love.

Now, once you’ve taken a look at Part 2 and worked with your teenager to create a contract that suits your particular needs, print it, date it and sign it.  Now your teenager is good to go – literally and figuratively.

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“I acknowledge your generosity, kindness and sacrifice in allowing me the privilege (yes, I understand that it is a privilege, thank you, wonderful parent) to drive this car, and in return for that privilege:

I vow to obey the posted speed limit;

I vow to obey the traffic laws (even the ones I think are stupid);

I vow to never drive the car if I’ve been drinking or used drugs (not that I’d ever do that anyway);

I vow to never even have beer, liquor or drugs in the car;

I vow to drive in the safest manner possible, always (even when my friends are watching);

I vow never to call or tm anyone on my cell or even to read a tm from anyone (even if it’s from my bffl);

I vow that if I should ever get a ticket that I will not only not hide the ticket from you (I understand that we will need to discuss it), but I will pay for the ticket out of my own (hard-earned) money;

I vow that if the insurance goes up because of that ticket (that I’m never going to get anyway) that I’ll pay the difference;

I vow that I will pay for any damage to the car if the insurance doesn’t cover it (even if it takes the rest of my life);

I vow that I will use my own money to put gas in the car and do all of that nasty mechanical stuff that you’re supposed to do;

I vow that I will not throw garbage into the back seat or on the floor (and if I do, I vow that I’ll clean it before you even notice);

I vow that I will not have more than XXX friends in the car at one time;

I vow that all of my friends will buckle up before I put the car in gear (even if it means we all look like dorks);

I vow to be home when you told me to be home (as opposed to when I said I’d be home);

I vow to call you in an emergency (but you have to promise not to over-react when I call – it’s hard enough telling you as it is);

I vow to come home alive.”

By following these vows, I promise to do my part to keep the car insurance for teenagers at reasonable rates.