How do I know if my teenager should learn how to drive?

You’ve watched your child experience so many milestones, and now you’re facing one of the biggest—and potentially most dangerous—of them all: driving. But how can you tell if your teen is truly ready? Turning 16 doesn’t automatically mean a young person is mature or responsible enough to handle the privilege and responsibility of being behind the wheel. Age alone should never be the only measure of readiness. Skills such as mental processing, visual perception, and motor coordination are equally important. In addition, teenagers often juggle emotional ups and downs, academic pressures, family expectations, and peer influence—all of which can impact their safety on the road.

As you and your teen prepare for this next step, it’s important to reflect on a few key questions. How strong are your teenager’s attention skills and short-term memory? Can they stay focused on a task for more than 30 minutes without becoming distracted? Do they reliably remember and follow through on instructions? Are they independent with everyday responsibilities like making their bed, preparing a simple meal, or managing personal tasks? These foundational skills can offer valuable insight into their readiness for the complex demands of driving.

Vision is another critical component—not just clear eyesight, but the ability to process and respond to visual information quickly and accurately. When was your child’s last vision exam? Before enrolling in driver education, their vision should be evaluated by an eye doctor or primary care provider. It’s also important to consider whether your child has any mental health or psychological challenges that could affect driving. Are they responsible for managing medications related to attention or anxiety? Do they have an IEP or 504 plan at school? If your child has learning differences or specific needs, ask potential driver education programs how they accommodate students. What is the teacher-to-student ratio? A program with smaller class sizes and individualized attention may provide a safer and more supportive learning environment.

Physical and mental stamina are also important factors to consider. Can your child comfortably manage an hour behind the wheel or remain attentive during a two-hour classroom session? When riding as a passenger, do they behave responsibly, or do they become a distraction? Teens diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty tolerating longer activities, and this should be thoughtfully considered before setting driving as a goal. It’s equally important to determine whether your teen genuinely wants to learn to drive and understands the benefits that come with it. If driving is not their goal, it may not be helpful to force the issue. Do they view driving as a pathway to greater independence, or does it feel overwhelming and unsafe to them?

Situational awareness is another critical skill. Is your teenager attentive to their surroundings? Do they understand basic traffic safety habits, such as looking both ways before crossing the street? In many states, children are required to sit in the back seat until around age 12, and during those years they may spend more time on electronic devices than observing traffic patterns or their parents’ driving behaviors. Can your teen anticipate the actions of other drivers? For example, a turn signal does not always guarantee that a driver will turn—or indicate exactly where they intend to go. This also raises an important question: have you modeled safe driving habits yourself? Do you avoid speeding, texting, or reacting aggressively toward other drivers?

Many foundational skills can support teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder as they learn to drive. Participating in gross motor activities—such as biking, swimming, skiing, soccer, or basketball—helps develop awareness of surroundings, forward planning, and the ability to avoid obstacles. These activities also naturally teach cause and effect, including the physical consequences of collisions related to gravity, inertia, and momentum. Does your teen frequently bump into peers in crowded hallways or people in public spaces? Additionally, have you discussed the financial responsibilities associated with driving, including insurance costs and vehicle maintenance, and who will be accountable for them?

Driving is both a social and practical skill. It requires interpreting visual and auditory cues from other drivers while coordinating hands-on motor tasks in real time. Because it is a complex life skill, many new drivers require more practice and instruction than the minimum state requirements, especially those with learning differences.

As you prepare for the possibility of independent driving, there are many thoughtful questions to explore together. A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) can assess whether your teen has the necessary skills and help identify appropriate training options to support not only licensure but long-term safety and confidence on the road. Families can locate a CDRS through the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED.org) or you may also contact Amanda Scamman, COTA/L, CDI, CDRS at (603) 772-4487, amanda@aligndriving.com.

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