Who are the primary decision makers for a teen in their first year of driving?

The primary decision makers for a teen in their first year of driving are typically their parents or guardians. This is largely because parents or guardians have the most significant influence over their child's driving behavior, including setting rules, establishing boundaries, and modeling safe driving practices. They are responsible for ensuring the teen is well-prepared to drive safely and responsibly, and often play a critical role in their teen’s learning process by providing supervision during practice driving sessions and reinforcing the importance of following traffic laws.

Parents or guardians are also instrumental in discussing the risks associated with driving and guiding the teen in making responsible decisions while on the road. This dynamic is especially important during the early months of driving when the teen is still gaining experience and confidence. Their involvement is a key factor in fostering safe driving habits that can last a lifetime.