In the last year, a number of companies have come out with tracking systems that can help parents monitor their new teen drivers. While we believe that education is the most important component of safe teen driving, we also see some situations where parents might want to have some monitoring capability. Recent studies have shown that many teens have not fully developed their risk evaluation skills--and that these may not be fully developed until the 20's. Here are our tips if you're considering a teen monitoring system.
1. Make sure you understand how the system works and that it wil work with your model and year of car.
2. Check the total fees. They might include a box to be installed in the car as well as a monthly fee or an installation fee.
3. What are the committment times for the monitoring contract? Some are month to month, others require a longer contract.
4. Find out what information you will be getting. Some systems let you know the location as well as information about the speed of the vehicle.
5. How are you notified of the teen's location?
6. Understand the installation requirements. Many companies post the installation manual on their websites. You should look over the instructions to see if it's something you can do--or that you might need to take to an auto service facility.
7. Is there a guarantee or refund period if you are not satisfied with the product?
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