License To Drive: Six Steps To Get Your Teen Safely Behind The Wheel

The day your child starts to learn how to drive is anstate-issued identification card, a passport or an official
exciting day for them--and a potentially terrifying daycopy of a birth certificate. Photocopies are
for you! As you get ready to put your teenager on theunacceptable, so if you do not have the original birth
road toward driving independence, make sure he orcertificate handy, you can order a copy well in
she is prepared with this must-do checklist: 1. Enrolladvance through official document service providers,
your teen in a driver's education course. Many highsuch as VitalChek.com, a government authorized
schools offer elective classes in driver's education toservice, or directly through your state's vital records
students throughout the year. Independent,office or Web site. 5. Add your child to your car
state-accredited driving schools that offer weekend orinsurance. Discount insurance rates are popular for
evening instruction are also an option. In lieu of formalnew drivers, and prices vary from plan to plan.
study, several states will accept proof of completionReduced fees for good students (B average or
(signed by a parent) of 30 hours of driving time. 2. Getabove) are common, as are deals for teens who have
in plenty of practice on the road. Find an empty parkingcompleted defensive driving courses or remained
lot or a street with light traffic to start with drivingaccident-free for a year after receiving their licenses.
basics, then move to more well-traveled roads andContact your insurance agent to learn which discounts
highways as your teen's skills and confidence increase.may apply to your new driver. 6. Discuss driving
Consider additional formal training as well, such asrestrictions. Many states have laws that restrict drivers
specialized defensive driving courses andfrom having more than two passengers in the car if
high-performance driving schools that give teensthe driver is under the age of 21, unless a parent or
hands-on training in driving during emergency situationsguardian is present or the passengers are immediate
and bad weather. 3. Study the written materialsfamily members. In many states, the supervising driver
carefully. Each state has a driver's manual that outlinesmust be 21 or older, have a valid driver's license and
the rules of the road, driving techniques, road signs andmust ride in the front passenger seat. Check with your
other practical driving information. These manuals arelocal Department of Motor Vehicles to see what rules
provided to students enrolled in a driver's educationapply where you live. Parents should set their own
course, or can be picked up at the local driver's licenselimits until they feel comfortable with their teen's driving
office. In many cases, you can find and download aexperience, such as no driving with passengers for the
copy of a driver manual from your state's official Webfirst six months after receiving their driver's license, no
site. Interactive practice tests may also be availablecell phone use, restrictions on stereo volume and
online. 4. Make sure you have an official copy of yoursetting a curfew to avoid late-night driving.
child's birth certificate and proper identification. WhenFor almost 20 years, VitalChek has provided
you accompany your teen to the Department ofAmericans with official government issued vital
Motor Vehicles to register for a learner's permit, you'llrecords, including of birth certificates, death certificates,
likely need to sign a consent form if he or she is 17 ormarriage records and divorce records. We do this as
younger. In addition, your child will need to bring a Socialan official service provider for over 600 government
Security card, as well as proof of identity and date ofagencies in the United States.
birth, which can include a learner's permit, a