When your child reaches high school, they begin looking forward to getting their driver’s license and obtaining a little bit of independence from their family. They may ask for a car as soon as they get their license. “Should I allow my child to drive to school?” you may wonder.

There are pros and cons to allowing your child to drive themselves to school. You, your spouse, and your child will have to decide on whether the pros outweigh the cons. The following points may help make the decision process easier.

The main reason for not allowing a teenager drive to school is safety. Statistically, teenagers are more than four times as likely to have a fatal accident as an older driver. There are many factors that make this statistic possible:

• Lack of experience
• Being easily distracted by music, cell phones, or friends
• Having the feeling of being indestructible
• Poor judgment
• Driving too fast
• Not using a seatbelt while driving

• Teach them to never start a car until they and everyone else in the car has buckled up. Wearing seatbelts can, and do, save lives every day.
• Be explicit and emphatic about not allowing your teen to drink and drive. Drunk driving is one of the major reasons why teens have accidents.
• Besides obeying the speed limit to avoid getting a speeding ticket, remind your teen to drive at or under the speed limit to avoid accidents.
• Larger cars are less “cool” than sports cars, but they are much safer in an accident.
• Limit the times in which your teen can drive, being sure they don’t drive at night.
• Tell your teen they are not to give rides to friends without your express permission. Teens are easily distracted by friends, so it’s safer to keep them from the car.
• Remind your teen not to talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time. If they must talk on the cell phone, pull over to the side of the road to do so.

What are some of the benefits of allowing a teen to drive themselves to school?

• If you’re usually the one who drives your teen to and from school, allowing them to drive will free up some time for you.
• Taking a driver’s education class at school can help reduce the cost of insuring your teen.
• Some teens get part-time jobs after school. Allowing your teen to drive to school will help them get to their job on time.
• A teen driver can also stop at the store for you after school, which could save you time and a separate trip to the store.

Teenagers usually can’t wait to get their driver’s licenses. They see them as a step toward freedom. When deciding whether or not to allow your teen to drive to school, consider the pros and the cons and then make an informed decision together.