What to Tell Your Teen Before They Get Their License

Driving Is a Privilege, Not a Right

This reminder isn't just something parents say. It's also how Minnesota law works. A driver's license can be suspended, revoked, or taken away entirely. For teen drivers, those consequences move fast. A provisional license holder whose driving privileges are revoked may not get their license back until they turn 18. That means one serious mistake can cost your teen years of independence.

On top of this, as a parent, you may set rules that include the possibility of losing driving privileges. Even before the law gets involved, the right to drive is not a guarantee.

Before your teen gets behind the wheel solo, make sure they understand that the license in their wallet is conditional. Safe driving keeps it there, and unsafe driving could get it taken away.

Understanding Insurance

Covering the basics of auto insurance is a common blind spot for parents. You may be so familiar with insurance coverage that you overlook how little teens know about how auto insurance works. It's just not something that comes up until it has to.

Now is your opportunity for preemptive education. Does your teen know what your policy covers and what it doesn't? Do they know that insurance follows the car, not the driver, and what that means for parents as the policyholders? What happens when they drive a friend's vehicle? How do they file a claim? Do they know what an insurance claim is?

Handling Police Interactions

Getting pulled over is stressful for anyone. For a teenager experiencing it for the first time, it can be terrifying. A little preparation goes a long way.

The basics are simple:

• Pull over safely and promptly.
• Turn off the car and keep your hands visible and on the wheel. Do not reach for anything.
• When the police officer approaches, be respectful and stay calm.
• When the officer asks, drivers are legally required to provide their driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. 

One thing worth emphasizing: being cooperative is not the same as volunteering information. Teens sometimes talk themselves into trouble simply because they're nervous and trying to be helpful. Keeping answers short and factual is a better approach.

If your teen is ever unsure what to do during a police interaction, remind them that it's always okay to say, "I'd like to speak with my parents before answering any questions."

Minnesota Teen Driver Laws

Minnesota's graduated driver's licensing system is designed to ease teens into driving by introducing privileges in stages. Most parents know the broad strokes, but the specific restrictions are worth going over together before your teen drives solo.

With a provisional license, the restrictions during the first six months are the tightest. During that time, the rules are:

No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless your teen is traveling to or from work, a school event, or has a licensed driver 25 or older in the car. This rule is designed in part to reduce the risks of drowsy driving.

• Only one non-family passenger under 20 is allowed in the vehicle.
• No phone use whatsoever, including hands-free, except to call 911 in an emergency.

During the second six months, the nighttime restriction lifts, and the passenger limit increases to three non-family passengers under 20.

These aren't just guidelines. Violating them can result in fines and, depending on the violation, delay your teen's eligibility for a full license. A crash-related moving violation or alcohol offense during this period can mean no full license until age 18.

It's also worth having a separate conversation about Minnesota's "Not a Drop" law. Unlike the standard DWI threshold, any detectable amount of alcohol in a driver under 21 can result in temporarily losing their license on top of any other penalties.

What Will Your Teen Be Driving?

Many families answer this question on the fly. Will your teen be sharing the family car, or will they have their own vehicle? Who will pay for their vehicle if they do?

Answering these questions will impact:

• Insurance coverage
• Driving logistics
• The level of responsibility your teen is taking on

If they're driving the family car, they're covered under your policy, but so are the consequences when something goes wrong. If they have their own car, it will need to be insured separately at an additional cost.

Whatever the case may be, explain your reasoning clearly before handing over the keys. Ambiguity can cause conflict later on.

Financial Questions

Driving comes with real costs, and it's worth spelling out who is responsible before your teen gets behind the wheel. These are conversations many families avoid until the first argument about a gas bill or a speeding ticket.

Some questions worth settling in advance:

• Who pays for gas?
• Who pays for routine maintenance like oil changes, tires, and wiper blades?
• If your teen gets a ticket, who pays the fine? If they don’t have the money, how will they reimburse you?
• Who pays for insurance coverage?
• If they damage the car, what's their share of the repair cost?

Some parents cover everything themselves, and others expect their teen to handle it instead. Most land somewhere in between. What matters is that both sides know the rules before it comes time to pay. Having this conversation early also gives your teen a clearer picture of what driving costs, something many teens have never thought about.

When to Call You

Part of getting a license is learning to handle things independently. But there are situations where your teen should always loop you in.

As a general rule, your teen can handle routine driving situations on their own, such as fixing a flat tire or a stop for a minor traffic violation. Those are examples of situations where a little independence is good practice. But there are situations where calling you is the right move, such as:

Any accident, no matter how minor (even a fender bender can have insurance and legal implications)

• Any situation where someone is asking them to sign something or make an agreement
• Any situation where they feel unsafe or are unsure what to do
• An interaction with police that goes beyond a routine traffic stop

Above all, make it easy for them to call you. Tell them that no matter what happens, if they need help, they should call. Teens sometimes avoid calling a parent because they're afraid of getting in trouble. That fear can lead to worse decisions. If they know the call is safe to make, they're more likely to make it.

Using Social Media Responsibly

Teens document everything. But there are situations where posting online can cause real problems, and driving is one of them. For starters, teens should never use social media to admit to or encourage illegal or unsafe behavior, even as a joke. (You might be surprised how often this happens.)

The less obvious problem is using social media after an accident. If your teen is ever in a crash and there's any chance of an insurance claim or legal action, what they post online could be used against them. For example:

• A photo posted shortly after showing them active and smiling could be spun as evidence that the accident was less serious than it was.
• A caption that sounds like an admission could be used as evidence.
• A post about what happened could be misinterpreted.
  

Insurance companies use these kinds of posts to downplay or deny claims. Privacy settings don't offer as much protection as most people think, either.

The simple rule: after an accident, don't post anything about it. Not the photos, not the details, not a vague "rough day" that prompts friends to ask questions. If they're not sure what to share, they should talk to you first.

Most teens know they shouldn't text and drive. Fewer understand the full scope of what distracted driving actually means or how serious the consequences can be.

Every year, distracted driving causes dozens of injuries and deaths in Minnesota. Distraction is a contributing factor in roughly one in every 11 crashes in the state. These tragedies happen on the same roads your teen will be driving.

Phones are the most obvious distraction, but they're not the only one. Other common distractions include:

• Eating
• Drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Adjusting the stereo or GPS
• Personal grooming, such as applying makeup or fixing hair in the mirror
• Dealing with pets in the car
• Daydreaming

New drivers are still learning how to process everything happening around them on the road. Adding any other demand on their attention reduces that capacity at exactly the moment they can least afford it. Impress on your teen the importance of keeping their attention on the road at all times.

What to Do After an Accident

Even careful drivers get into accidents. What your teen does in the minutes after a crash matters for their safety and for any legal issues that may follow. Walk them through the basics of what to do after an accident before it happens:

1. Stay at the scene. Minnesota law requires drivers to stop and remain at the scene after any accident involving injury, death, or property damage. Leaving can result in a hit-and-run charge.
2. Move to safety (if possible). If the car is drivable, pull it out of traffic and turn on the hazard lights. Otherwise, stay put until help arrives.
3. Check for injuries. This advice applies to them and to any passengers in the car. Adrenaline can mask pain, so check carefully.
4. Call 911. Even if the accident seems minor, a police report protects everyone involved. If there are any injuries, tell the 911 operator and ask for emergency services.
5. Exchange information. Get the other driver's name, contact information, license plate, and insurance details. No driver involved in an accident should ever skip this step.
6. Document the scene. If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
7. Don't admit fault. It’s human nature to apologize, especially in stressful situations. But saying something as simple as "I'm sorry" after a crash can be used as an admission of liability. Stick to the facts and leave the rest to the professionals.
8. Call you. As covered earlier, this is not a situation your teen should navigate alone. As soon as they are free, they should contact you for follow-up advice.
9. See a doctor. Even if your teen feels fine, it’s always wise to see a doctor shortly after an accident. Some injuries can have delayed symptoms, meaning that they could be hurt without realizing it. The sooner they get a clean bill of health, the better.

If there is any doubt about fault or if you are having trouble with an insurance provider, speak to an attorney to learn more about your rights.

Preparing Your Teen for Success Behind the Wheel

Getting a license is a major milestone, and it comes with great responsibility for your teen AND for you as a parent. Teens who know what to do (and what not to do) will be better prepared for the driving experience. That starts with these kinds of conversations, and the sooner it happens, the better.

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, SiebenCarey can help. Contact us for a free, no-pressure case evaluation.