Having a teen driver in the house can seem like an exciting and stressful experience, all at the same time. While watching your teen gain some newfound freedom can be great, you’ll likely worry about them being out on the road alone.

It’s natural to worry since teen drivers are more likely to get in an accident than any other age group. Between lacking confidence on the road, various distractions, and the feeling of being invincible, teens tend to cause more collisions behind the wheel. 

If you’re concerned about your new teen driver, some tech options can help you monitor their driving and keep them safe on the road.

Purchase the SmartRide Insurance Plan for Your Teen

Choosing a SmartRide insurance plan for your teen can provide many benefits. Not only will you be able to monitor their driving habits, but you may also lower your rates if they abide by traffic laws. 

Multiple companies offer usage-based discounts, but Nationwide’s SmartRide plan promises some of the highest discounts at up to 40%. SmartRide plans offer you lowered rates at the end of each evaluation period using a device to monitor your teen’s driving habits. 

This device can either plug into your teen’s vehicle or be downloaded to work through an invaluable car accessory for them, their GPS. Though downloadable options are typically more popular, the plug-in option often offers better data as it can’t be skewed through your teen riding in someone else’s car. 

If your teen follows traffic laws, drives safely, and doesn’t speed, you can likely expect to see a drop in their premiums. Since teenage insurance coverage is commonly pricey — and skyrockets after an accident — this can be an excellent way to save some money while keeping your young driver safe on the road. 

Create a Life360 Family Plan to Track Teen Driving

Life360 is a downloadable app that can give you real-time insight into your teen’s driving habits. When you open the app, you simply click on your child’s icon, and it will inform you of where they are and how fast they are driving. 

While this app does require a monthly subscription, the data it offers may be worth the cost. Not only can you see where your teen currently is, but you can also monitor where they have been and their previous driving habits. 

With the driver report, you can tell if your teen has been making risky driving decisions, breaking too hard, or speeding. On top of the driver report, it also offers crash detection, allowing you to be aware if your teen finds themselves in an accident. 

Download FamiSafe to Check Your Teens Screen Time

Another popular app is FamiSafe, a free download that offers in-app purchases for more advanced features. Much like Life360, this app shows your teen’s driving habits, such as their highest speed, how far they’ve traveled, and their average speed while behind the wheel.

However, FamiSafe also offers you a screen time report for your teen. If your teen is using their phone while driving, you will be able to know based on their screen report. 

You can set alerts with the FamiSafe app to be notified when your teen makes a mistake while driving, such as extremely hard breaking or high speeding. Between notifications and a weekly driving report, you can explain to your teen what areas of their driving habits need to be improved and continue monitoring them to ensure they are following traffic laws. 

Install DriveMode to Keep Your Teen off Their Phone

Cellphone distractions have become a massive problem for drivers — especially teenagers. Since they are commonly more worried than adults about answering calls and responding to messages, they are more likely to be distracted behind the wheel. 

DriveMode, offered through the phone service provider AT&T, allows you to temporarily stop incoming calls and text messages to your teen’s phone while they are on the road. The best part is you don’t have to have your phone service through the company to use the app.

In auto mode, the app will automatically switch on when speeds of 25 miles per hour or more are detected. The app will send an automated message to whoever is reaching out so they understand why your teen couldn’t respond or answer. 

If your teen turns off auto mode, you will receive an alert. If they are driving, you will know they are using their phone behind the wheel. 

Create a Little Good Driving Competition With TruMotion 

TruMotion Family is a great app for you and your teen to use together if you don’t want them to feel frustrated by constantly being watched behind the wheel. Rather than only monitoring your child’s driving habits, this app creates a little friendly competition between all licensed drivers in your household.

The app is perfect for monitoring driving habits like cellphone usage, speeding, and aggressive driving. However, rather than your teen feeling like they are the only ones being watched, this app encourages the whole family to drive a little safer.

Awards are given for good driving habits, which you can tally up at the end of each week. If you want to encourage your child to drive safer, make the competition worthwhile for them. For example, if your child has the most driving rewards at the end of the week, let them pick an activity they will enjoy over the weekend. 

Using this app can help your teen feel less like they are being watched and more like they are having fun and working towards a goal — all while staying safer behind the wheel. 

Using Technology to Monitor Your Teen Drivers

Having a teen on the road can feel nerve-wracking. While you want them to have their freedom, you’ll likely worry about them behind the wheel alone.

Luckily, in the age of technology, many options exist to monitor your teen’s driving habits and ensure they stay safe. You can choose any of these great apps or services to help keep your teen protected and bring you peace of mind.