Driving is only Part of Being a Driver

Driving entails more than getting from Point A to Point B. As a driver, you also are responsible for:

• safeguarding others – including passengers, pedestrians, other motorists, and cyclists;
• demonstrating basic knowledge of your state's traffic laws;
• obtaining and renewing title, registration, and license plates;
• securing insurance coverage;
• performing routine maintenance, periodic checks, and responding to safety recalls.

You also may be responsible for state vehicle inspections and parking fees or decals.

You may also need to educate your parents. For instance, if they expect you to become the family chauffeur, you may need to point out if graduated licensing laws will restrict you from having passengers until you gain more experience. These laws also will dictate conditions under which you can drive until you demonstrate collision-free driving for a specified amount of time.

As a minor, you may be used to thinking that your parents bear all of the financial and legal responsibility for your behavior. That begins to change as you become a driver. You will be penalized for violating traffic laws. You can be held responsible for damaging property. You face the consequences for a crash that injures or kills another person.

Next: A Little Homework will steer you to the Right Driver Education