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Teens

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Getting a drivers license is a rite of passage for the majority of teenagers in American society. Of course, when 'legal' to drive, they start asking for the keys to their parent's car.

Soon enough, parents start to complain about how much the teen driver is trying to monopolize the car, or returning home with an empty gas tank ("Really Mom! I forgot! Let me borrow it again and the first thing I will do is fill up the gas tank!"). Of course, the logical response to the parent's complaints is that the new teen driver really should have their own car.

Many parents who can afford it, provide their children with a new (used) car on their 16th birthday. Others, whose parents cannot afford it, or who want to teach their children responsibility, make their children work and earn the money to purchase their car. Regardless of how a teenager gets their first vehicle, someone has to pay money for the insurance.

With insurance rates for a teenage driver starting at $100+ per month, this can be a daunting task for most teenagers and their families. However, it is also an expense that every car owner must face.

When one purchases a vehicle, there are certain financial obligations that are implicit to the transaction. The first requirement is to purchase and maintain auto insurance. Additionally, fuel costs, oil changes and other routine maintenance costs must be figured into the total cost of vehicle ownership.

If a person is old enough to drive, then they are old enough to be responsible. If the privilege of driving is important enough to the teenager, then this should be sufficient motivation for them to get a job, and pay their own bills for their car. If they cannot handle simple task now, when it means the freedom of driving themselves where they wish, then how are they going to handle the responsibility of being an adult just three or four years later?

If you love your teen driver, then let them take pride in owning their car, and making all required payments for their car. They may not like it, but in the long run, they will know that you did it for them.

Learn more about this author, Alan Fernald.
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