They grow up so fast! It was just yesterday you remember dropping them off on their first day of elementary school and wondering if they will be ok without you. Today, you are looking to buy them their first car as they constantly request to go off to do things on their own. Every parent goes through this stage in life; lucky for us, we are not parenting experts, we only know insurance. When it comes to protecting your teenage driver, we can help. Because chances are you are wondering how on earth you can purchase a quality insurance plan for your teenage driver without breaking the bank.

Teen Drivers in Texas

In the state of Texas, a teen driver can apply for a learner's license. A parent must accompany the teen to the DMV, bring in some documentation—including the teen’s birth certificate, U.S. passport, show proof of a social security number, name and age. At this point, the teen will take the written test, sign a recognition and vision test, then enroll in driver education.

Once they turn 16, they can apply for a provisional license if they have had the learner license for at least six months and completed 30 hours of practice driving. At this time they will take the actual driving test and can receive the provisional license. This means they can drive alone but with some restrictions. Then, the full license can be obtained at 18.

Tips For Getting Your Teen Ready for the Road

There are several small steps you can take to look for the best deals for your teen. A couple of them include:

1. Add them to your policy. Progressive, for example, has a multi-car discount that can help offset the costs of insuring a young teen or a younger driver.
2. Mind the type of vehicle. The type of vehicle a teen drives will make a difference. A larger vehicle like a Suburban will cost less to insure than a sports car.
3. Pay for minor damage yourself. If your teen accidentally scratches the car with the mailbox or runs into the other car in your driveway, and the damage is minor, consider fixing it yourself.

Be Involved With Your Teen’s Driving Venture

One of the best ways you can ensure that your teen is safe out there on the road is by getting involved in their driving lessons. During the months when they are transitioning from their permit to their provisional licence is a great time to inculcate safe driving habits, defensive driving, and helping them become familiar and comfortable with the vehicle they will be driving. Spend time explaining why certain precautions are important and correct them until they feel safe. Start them out slowly, of course, by driving in less trafficked streets and help them with parking in vacant lots.

Little by little, you can move them up to driving in more traffic. When a teenager approaches the road with confidence and is sure of his or her abilities, they are more likely to be safe and will apply what they learned in class.

Get Reliable Insurance for Your Teen Driver

Here at Advantage Insurance, we can help you find the right policy that will cover your young teen driver. If you have a teen that is getting ready to drive on their own any day now, give us a call today!