| The day your child starts to learn how to | | | | a learner's permit, a state-issued |
| drive is an exciting day for them--and a | | | | identification card, a passport or an |
| potentially terrifying day for you! As you | | | | official copy of a birth certificate. |
| get ready to put your teenager on the road | | | | Photocopies are unacceptable, so if you do |
| toward driving independence, make sure he or | | | | not have the original birth certificate |
| she is prepared with this must-do checklist: | | | | handy, you can order a copy well in advance |
| 1. Enroll your teen in a driver's education | | | | through official document service providers, |
| course. Many high schools offer elective | | | | such as VitalChek.com, a government |
| classes in driver's education to students | | | | authorized service, or directly through your |
| throughout the year. Independent, | | | | state's vital records office or Web site. 5. |
| state-accredited driving schools that offer | | | | Add your child to your car insurance. |
| weekend or evening instruction are also an | | | | Discount insurance rates are popular for new |
| option. In lieu of formal study, several | | | | drivers, and prices vary from plan to plan. |
| states will accept proof of completion | | | | Reduced fees for good students (B average or |
| (signed by a parent) of 30 hours of driving | | | | above) are common, as are deals for teens who |
| time. 2. Get in plenty of practice on the | | | | have completed defensive driving courses or |
| road. Find an empty parking lot or a street | | | | remained accident-free for a year after |
| with light traffic to start with driving | | | | receiving their licenses. Contact your |
| basics, then move to more well-traveled roads | | | | insurance agent to learn which discounts may |
| and highways as your teen's skills and | | | | apply to your new driver. 6. Discuss driving |
| confidence increase. Consider additional | | | | restrictions. Many states have laws that |
| formal training as well, such as specialized | | | | restrict drivers from having more than two |
| defensive driving courses and | | | | passengers in the car if the driver is under |
| high-performance driving schools that give | | | | the age of 21, unless a parent or guardian is |
| teens hands-on training in driving during | | | | present or the passengers are immediate |
| emergency situations and bad weather. 3. | | | | family members. In many states, the |
| Study the written materials carefully. Each | | | | supervising driver must be 21 or older, have |
| state has a driver's manual that outlines the | | | | a valid driver's license and must ride in the |
| rules of the road, driving techniques, road | | | | front passenger seat. Check with your local |
| signs and other practical driving | | | | Department of Motor Vehicles to see what |
| information. These manuals are provided to | | | | rules apply where you live. Parents should |
| students enrolled in a driver's education | | | | set their own limits until they feel |
| course, or can be picked up at the local | | | | comfortable with their teen's driving |
| driver's license office. In many cases, you | | | | experience, such as no driving with |
| can find and download a copy of a driver | | | | passengers for the first six months after |
| manual from your state's official Web site. | | | | receiving their driver's license, no cell |
| Interactive practice tests may also be | | | | phone use, restrictions on stereo volume and |
| available online. 4. Make sure you have an | | | | setting a curfew to avoid late-night driving. |
| official copy of your child's birth | | | | |
| certificate and proper identification. When | | | | For almost 20 years, VitalChek has provided |
| you accompany your teen to the Department of | | | | Americans with official government issued |
| Motor Vehicles to register for a learner's | | | | vital records, including of birth |
| permit, you'll likely need to sign a consent | | | | certificates, death certificates, marriage |
| form if he or she is 17 or younger. In | | | | records and divorce records. We do this as an |
| addition, your child will need to bring a | | | | official service provider for over 600 |
| Social Security card, as well as proof of | | | | government agencies in the United States. |
| identity and date of birth, which can include | | | | |