New Guide for Parents of Teen Drivers Distributed at RMV Branches

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey joined Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian to announce the availability of a new guide to optimize the 40-hours of supervised driving teens are required to complete under parental supervision prior to receiving their license.

“As young people across Massachusetts learn to drive our roadways with obvious excitement, I hope the availability of 'The Parent’s Supervised Driving Guide' will ease some of the stress and concern often experienced by the parents and guardians of new drivers,” said Davey.

Teens obtaining their learner’s permit will be given a copy of the “The Parent’s Supervised Driving Guide” at Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) branches in the Commonwealth. The guide is intended for use by parents and guardians. The guide is provided at no cost to families or to taxpayers, through a partnership with Safe Roads Alliance, a not-for-profit advocate for improved highway safety and the guides sponsor, Safety Insurance.

“Driving is a privilege and important responsibility,” Kaprielian said. “This guide will prepare parents and build their confidence as they expose their teens to driving under various roadway conditions.”

The guide is divided into eleven skill sets, such as parking, backing up, city and highway driving, and asks parents and teens to initial each lesson as the material is covered and the lesson is completed. Within the guide, a log is provided to record the required driving hours, the skills covered and the time and weather conditions.

The guide also offers parents guidance on how to approach each lesson as well as how to continue education once the 40 hours are completed.

"Parents are in the best position to assure that their teens become safe, smart drivers,” said President of Safe Roads Alliance Jeff Larson. “This program gives them a resource that will help teens make good decisions once they are licensed."

“The Parent’s Supervised Driving Guide” encourages parents and teens to driving in a variety of weather conditions and unfamiliar settings, whether it be in more rural, highway, city and heavy traffic routes.

"Nationwide, 43 percent of first-year drivers are involved in car crashes,” said George Murphy, Vice President of Marketing with Safety Insurance. “Safety’s priority remains keeping Massachusetts’ roads safe for all drivers and aspires to make the transition for parents of young drivers easier.”

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot