Sooner or later every parent has to face the time when their children are old enough and ready to drive. In some states there are classes that are required. In all states there are age requirements. You can hire a company to teach your child to drive. This is a good way to teach them how to drive defensively. The car, insurance, fuel, testing, and training all add up to a good amount.
Below we are going to give you seven tips to save you money on this journey.
Driver’s Ed at school
Most high schools have drivers’ education classes. These classes are given to your child for free as part of their education. You may have to pay a small fee for the state handbook.
Drivers Ed teaches the student, the laws and rules of driving. It also gives them some hands-on training in the vehicle provided by the state. This is a good way to save money on private lessons.
Shop insurance companies
You may have very good insurance on your own vehicles. Ask your agent the cost of adding your teen to your policy. If they are driving an older car, consider putting only liability insurance on their car. Some insurance companies have good “first time driver’s” policies. They only insure them enough to make them legal. Until your teen has been driving a while, do not over insure them. Consider combining your home, car, and life insurance for a package rate.
If they play, they pay
If a teenager is old enough to have the responsibilities of a car, they are old enough to help pay for it. Let them get a part time job to pay for their insurance and fuel. Paying for everything does not teach your child responsibility.
Use the computer for free
Your computer has free programs that will pull up random tests that will prepare your child for the trip to the DMV. By asking the questions the way the DMV does, and changing up the questions, your child is ready for anything. The apps explain wrong answers.
Take them out yourself
You know how to drive. If you do not have the time or money to hire teachers. Find a place that has little or and activity and teach them yourself.
Don’t buy a sports car
You want to take a kid that can count the hours he has been driving for a few weeks, put them in a high-powered sports car (stay away from red, it costs more). A kid’s first car should be a lower-value car.
Raise your deductible
Your rates will go down by adding a bit to your deductible. You can also save by allowing your insurance company do a direct withdrawal. Claim all your discounts. If you have not spoken with your agent lately, there may be discounts you are entitled to.
Bonus tip: Make safe driving mandatory. Speeding ticket, not wearing a seat belt, talking on a cell phone, riding with the music too loud, and of course, driving under the influence are all serious tickets. They will make your insurance price go up and your child could be taken off the policy and listed as un-insurable by the company you use. Driving is a privilege, and a car is not a toy. Be sure your teen understands that and have a zero tolerance for breaking the rules.
