Learning to drive is one of the biggest steps towards independence that your teen will take, but getting a license is only the beginning. New drivers need time, practice, guidance, and plenty of real-world experience before they become confident and capable behind the wheel.
As a parent or guardian, you are one of your teen’s most important driving influences. The rules you set, the conversations you have, the time you spend practicing, and the way you drive all help shape your teen’s habits behind the wheel. Your teen will eventually be responsible for making their own decisions on the road. Your job is to help them be ready for those decisions.
Parents can help by setting clear expectations, practicing with their teen, knowing New Hampshire’s Youth Operator laws, and—perhaps most importantly—being the driver they want their teen to become.
Keep teaching. Keep practicing. Keep talking.
Your teen has been watching how you drive for years. They notice whether you buckle up, speed, use your phone, become distracted, or get frustrated behind the wheel. If you expect your teen to drive safely, make sure they see you doing the same.1
Your actions may teach your teen more than your words ever will.2
Driver education is an important starting point, but it is only one part of learning to drive. New drivers need plenty of supervised, hands-on experience. The State of New Hampshire requires that student drivers must log 40 hours of supervised driving time with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult prior to applying for a driver's license. Of those 40 hours, 10 hours must be completed at night.9 Your teen needs experience in a variety of road conditions. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Teen Driving Research team created a YouTube channel on different driving activities to do with your teen. Consider practicing:
Residential streetsHeavy trafficBusy intersectionsPoor-weather conditionsHighways and mergingNighttime drivingParking and backingUnfamiliar roadsRural roadsThe NH Driver Education Teachers Association created The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program Manual which outlines the role the parent in the teen driver education process and the different exercises that can be practiced with your teen.
Parents and guardians should understand the restrictions that apply to their teen's license and make sure their teen understands them, too. Every state has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. The laws are designed to help new drivers gain experience gradually by limiting high-risk situations while they build confidence and safe driving habits.
The good news? Studies have found that the GDL systems have reduced approximately 19% of accidents involving injuries and about 21% fatal accidents in 16-year-olds.4,5
NH RSA 263:14 – Youth Operators' Licenses
Youth operators are 16 or older, but under 21. The Youth Operator license expires when the driver turns 21.
Before your teen begins driving independently, establish clear expectations and family rules. State law establishes minimum requirements. Parents can establish additional family rules based on their teen’s maturity, experience, and driving ability.3
Consider creating a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that explains your family’s expectations, rules, and consequences.
Seat Belts: Everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt on every trip, every time.2Phones & Distractions: Driving should be the driver’s only job. Phones and other distractions should be put away before the vehicle starts moving.2Nighttime Driving: Consider setting nighttime driving limits that go beyond the minimum legal requirements while your teen gains experience.3Passengers: Passengers can distract inexperienced teen drivers, and crash risk can increase as passengers are added.2,3Speeding: Make it clear that speeding is not acceptable. In 2024, speeding was a factor in 33% of passenger-vehicle teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in the U.S.2Drowsy Driving: Talk with your teen about getting enough sleep and the dangers of driving while tired.2,8Impaired Driving: No driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs. Never ride with someone who is impaired.2,3
Your Teen may find themselves in a vehicle with a driver who is speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise driving unsafely. Parents should prepare teens to speak up when they feel unsafe and provide alternative ways to get home.1
Consider creating a simple family code word or phrase your teen can use if they need a ride without explaining the situation at that moment. You can discuss consequences later. The immediate priority is getting your teen home safely.1
A safe driver also needs a vehicle that is safe and properly maintained. If your teen is purchasing a vehicle, help research safety ratings and consider having the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic.3 Finding a car for a new driver is more than finding something affordable or getting your teen from point A to point B. The vehicle itself can play an important role in protecting your teen if a crash occurs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports maintain a list of recommended vehicles specifically for young drivers, with used and new options.
When shopping for your teen’s vehicle consider:
Buying a used vehicle? Check for recalls.
Before Purchasing a used vehicle, check the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate for outstanding safety recalls.10 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends vehicle owners to check for new recalls periodically.11
A vehicle can look great on the outside and still have an unresolved safety recall.
Always check before you buy.
Even a vehicle with a strong safety rating needs to be properly maintained. Before putting your teen behind the wheel, make sure the vehicle is in good working condition.10
Talk with your teen about checking:
