There is much excitement in a teen’s life when he gets his driver’s license. A new world of freedom is open, one that makes him far more independent from his parents.

 But there is some info teens should know before they hit the road. Here are some driving tips every parent should cover before he gets behind the wheel.

Driving is a Privilege

Driving is a privilege that can be revoked, by parents or by the law. A safe driver keeps everyone happy. Have a heart to heart with your teen about the dangers of driving. Don’t avoid the uncomfortable subjects. Eleven percent of all alcohol consumption in the U.S. is done by young adults between the ages of 12-20, and there is a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinkers. As a parent, you have the authority to revoke a license. Also, every traffic citation on his record increases the insurance premium. Hold him responsible for any tickets or increases in insurance because of careless or reckless driving.

Be Prepared

There are stretches of more than 100 miles in the U.S. with no gas stations. US 70 in Eastern Utah has a stretch of 105 miles without services. If your teen has a road trip planned, make sure he leaves the house prepared. It’s important to keep an empty gas can in the trunk. GasBuddy is also a helpful app that locates the best gas deals in your area. This can be helpful when the needle nears empty on a long trip. Perils of road tripping abound. Check out this infographic to help your teen be super prepared.

Attribution to TireBuyer.com

Put Down The Phone

Talk to your teen about phone use. While it depends what state you live in, most states have strict laws concerning the hand use of smartphones while behind the wheel. A ticket and raised insurance cost are drawbacks of smartphone use while driving, but the distraction could be fatal.