Seek out a driver's education course. They are offered at many local colleges and community colleges and online. If they have a simulator option that is even better. The courses serve to educate your teens about state laws as well as to offer information about everything from insurance to how to change a tire to the repercussions of drunk driving.

Next, as in with parenting in general, talk and with your child. You are your child's biggest role model. Your driving habits will be noticed by them. As they begin to drive you may become more aware of your own driving. How are you doing?

Have a conversation about your thoughts and fears and be open to hearing theirs. Drive with them. Stay calm. Remind them that there is no rush to suddenly drive everywhere. Until they are comfortable, they should take it slowly.

Make up a teen driving contract that you can both agree with and stick to.

Lay out all the options. If they get stranded somewhere, what should they do? Does your family have a roadside assistance program such as AAA? Make sure they have numbers to call for help and any applicable membership numbers handy in their car. If they go to a party and end up drinking, can they call you for a ride? If not, does your police department have a program for escorting intoxicated drivers home?

Do they know the (major) causes of car accidents? Remind them to use their seat-belts. If they have cellphones talk to them about cell phone use while driving, especially texting. Texting while driving can be not only dangerous, but deadly! Remind them that a car, in motion, has the potential to be a deadly weapon. They need to treat it with respect. They must use their best judgement and not be swayed by peer pressure to do anything that would not do if they thought an officer of the law were following them.

Ride along a s a passenger as much as possible with your child, even after they have their licence. After each drive go over the drive. Make sure you cover not just what went wrong, but what went right, as well.

Many insurance companies, and road side assistance companies offer new driver information such as "Driver Zed" from AAA. The information is available in many formats, including: DVD's, books, pamphlets and the like. The information is often free for members and available at a reasonable rate for non-members.

Keep the lines of communication open. Above all, remember that you are their biggest model for driving and for life in general.