New & Learning Drivers

The first months of driving are the most dangerous. New drivers have less experience judging speed, distance and hazards, and crash rates are highest in the first year after getting a license. Good practice, graduated rules and good habits make a big difference. This page is for new drivers of any age, and for the parents and mentors who help them.

• New Drivers
• Teens
• Families

Why new drivers are at higher risk

• Inexperience: new drivers haven’t learned to scan for hazards, judge gaps, manage speed on curves, or react to emergencies. Skills take time and practice.
• Teen risk factors: teens are more likely to speed, tailgate, skip seat belts and take risks. The part of the brain that judges risk is still developing.
• Distraction: phones, friends in the car, music and navigation take attention from the road. See Distracted Driving.
• Night and weekend driving are more dangerous, with more fatigue and impaired drivers on the road. See Night Driving.
• Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. See Teen Drivers for more on teenage drivers.

Graduated driver licensing (GDL)

Every state has a graduated licensing system, which lets new drivers gain experience in steps. The details differ by state, but they usually follow this pattern:

Check your state’s motor vehicle agency for exact ages, hours and limits, since breaking GDL rules can lead to fines or license suspension. Many states apply some GDL steps to new adult drivers too.

Learning to drive: practice that works

• Practice a lot, in many conditions. Aim for more than the minimum hours. Drive in rain, at night, on highways, in traffic and on rural roads, gradually, with an experienced supervisor.
• Start simple. Begin in an empty parking lot to learn the car’s controls and feel. Move to quiet streets, then busy roads, then highways.
• Learn the car. Adjust the seat and mirrors, find controls, know the dashboard warning lights and how the brakes, ABS and driver aids behave. See Driver Assist Systems.
• Take a driver education course and a defensive driving class. Insurance discounts are common. See Defensive Driving.
• Practice emergency skills, such as hard braking, skid control, and what to do if a tire blows, in a safe place. See Tire Safety.
• Supervisors should model good driving, stay calm, give clear, early directions, and coach rather than shout.

Biggest risks and rules to live by

• Always wear a seat belt, and make sure all passengers do. Many teen deaths involve unbelted drivers or passengers. See Seat Belts & Airbags.
• Put the phone away. Turn on do-not-disturb while driving, or put the phone out of reach. Don’t text, scroll or video chat. Ask passengers to handle navigation and music.
• Obey speed limits and slow down for conditions. Speed is a factor in many crashes involving new drivers. See Speeding.
• Limit passengers. Crash risk goes up with each teen passenger. Follow GDL passenger limits.
• Never drive impaired. Alcohol and drugs, including marijuana and some prescription and over-the-counter medicines, hurt driving. Underage drinking is illegal, and most states have zero tolerance for drivers under 21. See Impaired Driving.
• Don’t drive drowsy. Sleep before long drives, and pull over when tired. See Drowsy Driving.
• Leave space. Keep a following distance of at least three seconds, more in bad weather, and scan ahead.
• Share the road with trucks, motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians. See Sharing the Road with Trucks and Pedestrians & Cyclists.

Choosing a car for a new driver

• Pick a vehicle with good crash-test ratings, electronic stability control, airbags and modern safety features. Mid-size or larger cars generally protect occupants better than very small ones.
• Avoid high-powered sports cars and vehicles that are hard to control. Be careful with large trucks and SUVs that can tip over more easily.
• Keep the car in good shape: tires, brakes, lights and fluids. See Car Maintenance and Vehicle Recalls.
• Keep an emergency kit in the car. See Car Emergency Kit.

For parents: a parent-teen driving agreement

• Write down the family rules: seat belts, no phone use, no drinking or riding with someone who has been, curfew, passenger limits, who pays for tickets and gas, and what happens when rules are broken. Both sides sign.
• Promise a ride home with no questions, if your teen or a friend is in a bad situation.
• Stay involved after the license. Keep supervising, ride along sometimes, and gradually give more freedom as they prove themselves.
• Consider a teen driver app or telematics device that reports speeding and phone use. Use it to talk, not to punish, and be open about it.
• Set a good example. Teens copy their parents’ driving habits.

New adult drivers

• Adults learning to drive, including people who didn’t drive in their home countries or who are returning after a long break, face the same learning curve. Take a driving course, practice with a patient supervisor, and learn local rules and signs.
• Know that licensing rules and insurance requirements differ. See Safe Driving Basics.

New driver checklist

• I know my state’s GDL rules and follow them
• I have practiced in many conditions, with a calm, experienced supervisor
• I wear a seat belt, and so does everyone in the car
• My phone is off or out of reach while I drive
• I obey the speed limit, leave space and never drive impaired or drowsy
• My car is well maintained and has an emergency kit

Last updated: October 4, 2026