The thought of your teenager behind the wheel, on the freeway, driving, and without you in the passenger seat to watch over things can be terrifying.
It’s not about not trusting their driving skills. It’s more about emotional control, clear thinking, and the power to say NO when it matters most.
Why? Because for many young drivers, the real challenge is not about knowing how to steer, park, and merge; it’s peer pressure. And that’s often where alcohol and addiction risk start.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young drivers are at higher risk of motor vehicle crashes. One impulsive choice can lead to a disaster.
In fact, for many young drivers involved in drunk driving accidents or those with patterns of alcohol addiction and misuse, it all started with ‘just a sip’. That bad call changed everything.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t allow your teenager to drive alone. It simply means asking yourself:
- Are they mentally and emotionally ready to handle this responsibility?
- Do they understand the dangers of drinking, drugs, and driving?
- Are they mature enough to walk away from habits that would affect their physical and mental health?
Here are four signs to suggest they might be.
Sign 1: They Passed Their Driving Test
Of course, it goes without saying that passing their driving test is the first step. This is more than just a milestone. It shows that they’ve understood the basics of handling a motor vehicle, road rules, and hopefully, how to remain calm under pressure.
Between 2020 and 2023, roughly 35% of people failed a driver’s license test in the U.S., according to data from USA Today. In Florida, for example, just about 76% passed the skills and knowledge driver’s license test.
So, if your teen passed, especially on their first try, it says a lot about their preparation and ability to deliver when it counts.
It’s also a sure sign that they’re ready to take the wheel on their own without someone calling out instructions from across the center console.
Sign 2: They Say No to Risky Behavior
This is the big one for many parents. A teen can be a skillful driver, sure, but that’s just one part of it. How do they handle peer pressure? It takes real maturity to say no to drinking and driving, drugs, tailgating, and other bad driving habits.
Take alcohol, for example, if you’ve been paying attention to the stories about teen drunk driving crashes, you’ll notice one common trend: there are usually other teenagers in the car. When friends are watching, it can be tempting to want to show off, take risks, and test boundaries. And then things get out of hand.
What starts as an attempt to show off can quickly spiral into problems: alcohol addiction, long-term liver and heart damage, trouble at school, strained family relationships, and, in too many cases, fatal crashes.
But there’s good news. According to Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, your influence as parents matters. When you have a trusting relationship with your children, and they know that you disapprove of alcohol, they’re less likely to drink and drive. Of course, this means fewer or no DUI/DWI accidents.
Sign 3: They Show Good Judgment and Decision-Making
Anyone who drives a lot will agree that driving is less about moving a car from one point to another and more about making smart decisions in real time.
For example:
- Does your teen drive when tired, upset, or angry?
- When going out with the car, do they leave early to avoid the rush?
- Do they avoid high-risk situations, such as carrying too many passengers?
- Are they drawn to late-night cruises for fun?
- Do they think it’s a good idea to do drugs or drink alcohol and drive?
Here’s the hard truth: driving under the combined influence of drugs and alcohol is enough to increase the chances of a fatal crash by 23 times.
And that’s not all. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), nearly one in four teenage car crashes in the U.S. involves underage drinking. Sobering right?
These stats are a reminder that driving is not just about knowing what to do; it’s about making the right decisions when no one is watching.
Sign 4: They Communicate and Take Feedback Well
How does your child respond when you talk to them about their driving habits? You’ve spent hours in the passenger seat with them. You’ve practically been their driving instructor. How do they take to your coaching?
Did they get defensive anytime you reminded them to put on the seatbelt? Did they listen, correct the mistake, and maybe ask clarifying questions?
A teen who’s ready for solo driving is one who communicates clearly about their fears and is willing to listen to experience. They know and understand that feedback is not criticism, but that you’re actually looking out for them.
On the other hand, when someone doesn’t take feedback well, it can spill into something more serious on the road.
Teens who get defensive or frustrated while learning to drive are more likely to react poorly when other road users make mistakes. In one tragic case, 18-year-old Jayden Simpson was sentenced to three months in prison, followed by five years of supervised probation for the road rage killing of 61-year-old John Hasty in Baltimore City.
To prevent things like this from happening, before entrusting your teen with the car keys, make sure criticisms and feedback are not a problem for them.
Is Your Teen Really Ready for Solo Driving?
If you’ve checked all four signs discussed in this article and everything checks out, then you’re likely looking at a teen who’s ready to drive distances alone.
It’s wise to build up their driving privileges slowly, however, and keep watching how they do, even if from a distance. And remember, put your foot down when it comes to drink, drugs, and cars. These three can never mix, ever. There’s no wriggle room here. Setting that boundary early could save lives.