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One
way to help teens understand
appropriate driving behaviors and
possible risks,
as well as for parents to make clear
their expectations for safe driving
and car use and the penalties for
breaking the rules, is to establish a
parent-teen driving contract. Below is
one such contract from the American
Academy of Pediatrics web site.
Remember when establishing boundaries
for car use to take into account
Iowa’s
Graduated Driver’s License
regulations. |
I,
___________________________________________,
will drive carefully and
cautiously and
will
be courteous to other drivers,
bicyclists, and pedestrians at
all times. |
|
I promise that I will obey all
the rules of the road.
|
|
q |
Always wear a seat belt and
make all my passengers buckle
up |
|
q |
Obey all traffic lights, stop
signs, other street signs, and
road markings |
|
q |
Stay within the speed limit
and drive safely
|
|
q |
Never use the car to race or
to try to impress others
|
|
q |
Never give rides to hitchhikers |
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I promise that I will make
sure I can stay focused on
driving. |
|
q |
Drive with both hands on the
wheel |
|
q |
Never eat, drink, or use a
cell phone to talk or text
messages while I drive
|
|
q |
Drive only when I am alert and in emotional
control
|
|
q |
Call my parents for a ride
home if I am impaired in any
way that interferes with my
ability to drive safely |
|
q |
Never use earphones to
listen to MP3 players or other
electronic devices while I
drive
|
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I promise that I will respect
laws about drugs and alcohol. |
|
q |
Drive only when I am alcohol
and drug free
|
|
q |
Never allow any alcohol or
illegal drugs in the car
|
|
q |
Be a passenger only with
drivers who are alcohol and
drug free |
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I promise that I will be a
responsible driver. |
|
q |
Drive only when I have
permission to use the car and
I will not let anyone
else drive the car unless I
have permission
|
|
q |
Drive someone else’s car
only if I have parental
permission |
|
q |
Pay for all traffic
citations or parking tickets |
|
q |
Complete my family
responsibilities and maintain
good grades at school as
listed here: |
|
q |
Contribute to the costs of
gasoline, maintenance, and
insurance as listed here: |
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Additional promises: |
|
q |
|
q
|
|
q |
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I agree to the following restrictions, but
understand that these restrictions will be
modified by my parents as I get more driving
experience and demonstrate that I am a responsible
driver.
|
|
q |
For the next _____ months, I
will not drive after ________
pm. |
|
q |
For the next _____ months, I
will not transport more than
______ teen passengers (unless
I am supervised by a
responsible adult). |
|
q |
For the next _____ months, I
won’t adjust the stereo,
electronic devices, or air
conditioning/heater while the
car is moving. |
|
q |
For the next _____ months, I
will not drive in bad weather.
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|
q |
I understand that I am not
permitted to drive to off-limits locations
or on
roads and highways as listed
here:
|
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Additional restrictions: |
|
q |
|
|
q |
|
|
q |
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I agree to follow all the
rules and restrictions in this
contract. I understand that my
parents will impose penalties
(see below), including removal
of my driving privileges, if I
violate the contract.
I also understand that my
parents will allow me greater
driving privileges as I become
more experienced and as I
demonstrate that I am always a
safe and responsible driver.
|
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Penalties for contract
violations |
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Drove after drinking alcohol or using drugs
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No driving for ______ months
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Got ticket for speeding or moving violation
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No driving for ______ months
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Drove after night driving curfew |
No driving for ______ months
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Drove too many passengers |
No driving for ______ months
|
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Broke promise about seat belts (self and
others) |
No driving for ______ months
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Drove on a road or to an area that is off-limits
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No driving for ______ months
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Signatures |
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Driver:
|
Date: |
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Parent (or guardian): |
Date: |
|
Parent (or guardian): |
Date: |
Parent promise
I also agree to drive safely
and to be an excellent role
model. |
|
Parent (or guardian): |
Date: |
|
Parent (or guardian): |
Date: |
