driving contracts

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2006
driving contracts
5
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 12:22pm

Just over the last two months or so, we have experienced a LOT of lying, mostly about where going & who going with...
So my husband and I are thinking about implementing a "driving contract" for 16yo driver, in an attempt to curb lying and "unauthorized" driving.

We don't want to belittle her good judgment (most of the time) and common sense in creating this, but feel that it will help solidify that WE ARE SERIOUS.

We have typed it up already, and have left several extra lines in both the rules and the consequences sections to help her feel like she is part of the process. None of the rules are new. We have discussed both the rules and consequences before with her.

Does anyone have suggestions on specifics to the driving contract or just the enforcement process itself?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 12:36pm

The hardest law is not driving anyone under 25 unless it's a sibling. Luckily, my ds17 has a two passenger truck, so I know he will not be tempted to take more than one person with him. He knows that we want him to obey the law, although we don't have any real way of knowing that he will, other than trust in him. I've told him if he does get a ticket, he will pay for it himself. I haven't had to worry about issues like drinking and driving because my ds, if anything, will be appointed by his friends as the "designated driver" when and if the times comes. If by chance I did catch him drinking and driving, I would take away his keys for quite some time - have no idea how long, hope it never comes to that! Let's put it this way - if the officers catch him, he will be without a license till he is 18!

But I do like your idea of a driving contract!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2004
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 1:03pm

I like it too!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 1:25pm

We had a contract with dd19. And she followed it to the letter. She knew she'd lose her driving privileges in a heartbeat if she broke the contract.

The best rule of thumb is to make it clear and concise in what your expectations are relative to the local laws of your state/county. And make it clear what the consequences will be and then just stick to it.

In our contract, we stipulated times, curfews and passenger rules all relative to our state's laws for new drivers. We also added something about replacing fuel used and cleaning the car after she used it, no smoking inside, and obviously no drinking alcohol, calling for a ride if necessary, etc.

I have a new copy already drawn up for dd17 when she gets her license!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-1999
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 1:52pm
We never had a contract, but I do think it's a good idea--will save a lot of arguing later if she breaks the rules and she can't say she wasn't warned. My big thing was just enforcing the law, which was that you can't drive w/ anyone underage in the car for the 1st 6 mos. after getting a license and not driving after midnight before age 18. You would be amazed how many parents do not care if their teens break those laws. Plus if she got a ticket, she would have to pay for it, esp. because she has her own car and has to pay for gas & ins. anyway. Thank god we have passed the 1st 6 mos. She doesn't smoke so I don't have to worry about that. I know she has tried drinking a couple of times. I have told her absolutely no drinking & driving. My ex told her if she did, he would sell the car and give the money to charity, which he couldn't do, but the consequences of getting caught doing that would mean she would lose her license anyway. In that case, she shouldn't expect me to be giving her rides and just having to take the bus to school & work would bother her so much I am hoping she would be sensible and not do that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 4:45pm

We made our son sign a driving contract once he started driving. The rules are: he cannot have a passenger in the car for the first 6 mos. (MA law), his grades cannot drop, he will not speed, he will wear his seatbelt, he will keep us informed of his whereabouts, will not be late for school and will not talk on the cell phone while driving. Obviously, we cannot be sure he is adhering to all these rules but we have told our friends that if they see him speeding or driving w/ a passenger, to let us know. Also, his grades have dropped so we have taken car privileges away until the next report card and he will not get the car back til his grades improve. The consequences for breaking any of the rules are to lose the car for a month for the 1st offense, 2 mos for the 2nd, etc. Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide.