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Your teen behind the wheel
Posted on Wed, May 28th, 2008
Written by: Jennifer Farnsworth, Parent Pages Writer
email: cdparentpg@aol.com
Teens driving is a dreaded topic for many parents. While it is a major milestone, the day a child can legally sit behind the wheel and operate a vehicle, can be nervewracking for moms and dads. I remember my mother polishing up her rosary beads and strategically placing them in the station wagon in which my father taught me how to drive.
However, if the bird is ever going to fly the coop, he or she will have to learn how to drive out of the driveway.
Obtaining a learner’s permit is the first step on the road to learning to drive. The State Department of Motor Vehicles is not just a place to stand in line anymore. They are also a resource for apprehensive parents with information available on everything from safety tips to the exact rules of obtaining a junior license.
The first step is getting your hands on that little white book that teaches everything from knowing who has the the right of way, to understanding what street signs are telling you. Along with the eye exam and bringing proper forms of identification, passing the all-important driver's test is still the key to getting a permit.
Mom and dad's need to bring your checkbook or a credit card, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, a fee schedule varies according to area and class of license and even age. A license under the age of 21 is between $65 and $85.
Once the permit is obtained, the teen driver must obey many restrictions.
They may not drive with more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless they are members of their immediate family, or the accompanying driver is a licensed parent, guardian, driver education teacher or driving school instructor. The driver and each passenger must wear seat belts.
It is important for teens to know is that the only passenger allowed in the front seat is the accompanying driver.
It is also important for parents to make clear to their teenagers that a permit is not permanent. If any violations are made the junior permit, license, privileges will be suspended for 60 days.
The junior permit, license, or privileges will be revoked for 60 days if the driver is convicted of a serious violation (generally three points or more) or two other violations within the first six months after he or she receives a license or privileges back following a suspension or revocation.
Sandy Lewis of the Deparment of Motor Vehicles said it is also important for parents to know that a graduated licensing law began in New York State in 2003.
The law affects how drivers under the age of 18 receive senior driving privileges and changes the restrictions on junior drivers.
And once your son or daughter has a junior license they have to work on obtaining a senior license.
If the teen is 17, he or she is eligible for a senior driver's license if they have a junior driver license or limited junior driver's license and have completed a state-approved high school or college driver education course.
If the junior license is not converted to a senior license, the teen is subject to the restrictions for junior drivers until they are age 18, even if they carry the completion certificate with them.
“The law was put in place to a sort of a built-in trial period. It’s solely for the benefit of keeping young drivers safe,” said Lewis.
There are also many programs around the state that encourage teens to stay safe one the road.
Once a teen has the magic ticket that puts him or her behind the wheel, they often don’t realize just how much of a responsibility driving is.
Parents have been worried for years about drinking and driving, now they also have to worry about driving and talking on cell phones and even texting.
Kristen Trears of Schenectady, mom of teenage son Liam, said she doesn’t even worry so much about drinking and driving as she does about him using his cell phone.
“I drive down the street and see teens talking, laughing and driving. I don’t think they truly get how inexperience combined with having a conversation can be dangerous,” said Trears.
The New York State Deparment of Health -- Bureau of Injury Prevention Deparment has even set up incentives on how parents can assist in the effort to keep teens safe while driving. They are currently working on a “Teen Passenger Survival Tips” booklet for parents and teens.
For more information on permits, licences, local driver’s education courses and tips on staying safe visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website at www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.com.
You can contact cdparentpg@aol.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.
Posted on Wed, May 28th, 2008Written by: Jennifer Farnsworth, Parent Pages Writer
email: cdparentpg@aol.com
Teens driving is a dreaded topic for many parents. While it is a major milestone, the day a child can legally sit behind the wheel and operate a vehicle, can be nervewracking for moms and dads. I remember my mother polishing up her rosary beads and strategically placing them in the station wagon in which my father taught me how to drive.
However, if the bird is ever going to fly the coop, he or she will have to learn how to drive out of the driveway.
Obtaining a learner’s permit is the first step on the road to learning to drive. The State Department of Motor Vehicles is not just a place to stand in line anymore. They are also a resource for apprehensive parents with information available on everything from safety tips to the exact rules of obtaining a junior license.
The first step is getting your hands on that little white book that teaches everything from knowing who has the the right of way, to understanding what street signs are telling you. Along with the eye exam and bringing proper forms of identification, passing the all-important driver's test is still the key to getting a permit.
Mom and dad's need to bring your checkbook or a credit card, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, a fee schedule varies according to area and class of license and even age. A license under the age of 21 is between $65 and $85.
Once the permit is obtained, the teen driver must obey many restrictions.
They may not drive with more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless they are members of their immediate family, or the accompanying driver is a licensed parent, guardian, driver education teacher or driving school instructor. The driver and each passenger must wear seat belts.
It is important for teens to know is that the only passenger allowed in the front seat is the accompanying driver.
It is also important for parents to make clear to their teenagers that a permit is not permanent. If any violations are made the junior permit, license, privileges will be suspended for 60 days.
The junior permit, license, or privileges will be revoked for 60 days if the driver is convicted of a serious violation (generally three points or more) or two other violations within the first six months after he or she receives a license or privileges back following a suspension or revocation.
Sandy Lewis of the Deparment of Motor Vehicles said it is also important for parents to know that a graduated licensing law began in New York State in 2003.
The law affects how drivers under the age of 18 receive senior driving privileges and changes the restrictions on junior drivers.
And once your son or daughter has a junior license they have to work on obtaining a senior license.
If the teen is 17, he or she is eligible for a senior driver's license if they have a junior driver license or limited junior driver's license and have completed a state-approved high school or college driver education course.
If the junior license is not converted to a senior license, the teen is subject to the restrictions for junior drivers until they are age 18, even if they carry the completion certificate with them.
“The law was put in place to a sort of a built-in trial period. It’s solely for the benefit of keeping young drivers safe,” said Lewis.
There are also many programs around the state that encourage teens to stay safe one the road.
Once a teen has the magic ticket that puts him or her behind the wheel, they often don’t realize just how much of a responsibility driving is.
Parents have been worried for years about drinking and driving, now they also have to worry about driving and talking on cell phones and even texting.
Kristen Trears of Schenectady, mom of teenage son Liam, said she doesn’t even worry so much about drinking and driving as she does about him using his cell phone.
“I drive down the street and see teens talking, laughing and driving. I don’t think they truly get how inexperience combined with having a conversation can be dangerous,” said Trears.
The New York State Deparment of Health -- Bureau of Injury Prevention Deparment has even set up incentives on how parents can assist in the effort to keep teens safe while driving. They are currently working on a “Teen Passenger Survival Tips” booklet for parents and teens.
For more information on permits, licences, local driver’s education courses and tips on staying safe visit the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website at www.nydmv.state.ny.us/license.com.
You can contact cdparentpg@aol.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below.
Readers had this to say
Nobody has made any comments about this yet... you could be the first. Comment about this article.