Hey Mom and Dad: What Rules Do You Have for Your New Teen Drivers?

Written by Editors Lauren Traut and Angela Sykora

Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.

Is there anything more harrowing than the day when you first hand over the keys to your brand-new teen driver, the same one who it seems like just yesterday was still biking with training wheels? It's not uncommon for parents to set some restrictions on their newly-minted leadfoots, so we took to our Facebook pages to find out what the laws on this are in some west-suburban households. Which brings us to this week's question:

"What new rules do you have for your new teen drivers, and how do you enforce them?"

Ben Thompson: Please watch for motorcycles, and/or try riding one so you can appreciate them on the road. —on Libertyville Patch Facebook

Brian Lawton: My child is nowhere near diving age yet, but I will stress to no end that turn signals are important. Use them whenever you are turning and changing lanes. It's not hard, they put it right by the edge of the steering wheel for a reason. —on Libertyville Patch Facebook

Kathleen Patt Matthys: Any rule we have as parents should be the same as the LAWS that should be followed. We stuck to those with our son and there was never any other discussion. —on Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch Facebook

Rob Webb: You don't buy it, you don't drive it. That's how I was taught. I learned very early to respect my car cause it was my money I used to buy it. If it broke, I paid to fix it or I ride my bike.  —on Crystal Lake-Cary Patch Facebook

John Klodnicki: No A's or B's, no driving. —on Crystal Lake-Cary Patch Facebook

Christine O'Brien Ulrich: Our rule as well. It's the honor roll or no driving. —on Crystal Lake-Cary Patch Facebook

So what's your take? Tell us in the comments.