Teen drivers are more at risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are also three times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than a driver who is over the age of 20. With those statistics in mind, Chevy launched Teen Driver Technology.

“Teen Driver reinforces safe driving habits, like seat belt use and watching your speed. Teen Driver also makes sure that active safety features if equipped on the vehicle are always turned on so that they can help alert a teen to avoid a crash or lessen its severity,” General Motors safety engineer MaryAnn Beebe said of the safety-centric feature.

What is Teen Driver Technology, and how does it work?

To put it simply, Teen Driver Technology is a built-in system designed to coach new drivers. It incorporates several safety features, including the industry’s first in-vehicle report card so parents and guardians can catch potential problems and help new drivers develop better driving habits.

To keep teens safe behind the wheel, Teen Driver Technology also includes features such as speed alerts and volume limits. Its industry-first Buckle to Drive feature won’t allow the driver to shift for 20 seconds if they try to shift out of park without first buckling their seatbelt too.

Fortunately, setting up Teen Driver Technology makes for a fairly easy process. To begin using it, make your way to the Teen Driver menu via the Chevrolet MyLink display. Once you’ve done so, create a pin and register a corresponding key to it. When the car is being driven using the registered key, Teen Driver Technology will kick into gear.

Do all Chevy models come with Teen Driver Technology?

Unfortunately, not all Chevy models come standardly equipped with Teen Driver Technology. Today, it’s standard only in the 2020 Chevy Traverse, Malibu, and the Chevy Colorado. On all other models, this system means opting for a higher trim level.

Chevy isn’t the only automaker to offer Teen Driver Technology, though. Because Chevy falls under the GM umbrella, you can expect other GM brands like Buick, Cadillac, and GMC to also offer it as an option. 

Does Teen Driver Technology work?

Per a December 2019 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, safety features like lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control can result in drivers being less attentive behind the wheel. That’s not to say Teen Driver Technology doesn’t work, though.

While Chevy’s report card style system can certainly be helpful when it comes to reinforcing good driving habits, new drivers and their guardians shouldn’t rely on it to teach someone how to drive. 

Instead, Statefarm recommends new drivers should get their start in low-speed, low-traffic areas. Then, one they’ve mastered the art of making a left turn, determining right of way, and maintaining appropriate speed, new drivers should be exposed to varying road and traffic conditions.

Is it a good fit for your new driver?

If you’re the proud parent or guardian of a new teen driver, Chevy’s Teen Driver Technology is certainly worth looking into. While it shouldn’t serve as your teen’s overall driving instructor, it can help new drivers develop safe driving habits.