Monitor my teen driver (TEENS)

What is the TEENS program?

The Teen Electronic Event Notification Service (TEENS) is a parental notification program that notifies the parent(s) of a driver under age 18 when specific events are added to the driver record of the teen. The events include tickets, traffic violation convictions, driver license suspensions and certain accidents. By being informed of these events, parents can take an active role in the development of safe driving behaviors by their children. Also, this program help parents be aware of any potentially risky habits which develop during the early driving career of their teenager.

Enrollment in the program will continue until your teen is 18 years old. When the teen becomes 18, the enrollment is automatically discontinued.


How do I enroll?

Parental enrollment in TEENS is voluntary, and there is no fee. There are two ways for parents to enroll in the program

 

By mail

Complete the Teen Electronic Event Notification Service Enrollment and Consent (pdf) (MV-TEENS) form and mail it to the address on the form.


At a DMV office

You can enroll when an eligible young driver applies for their learner permit at a DMV office with their parent or guardian


What kind of notifications will I receive?

Parents/Guardians will receive notification when a reportable event occurs in relation to their minor.  DMV will send a letter to the address on the DMV record that indicates that a reportable event has occurred and shows all relevant information for the new event. Before you enroll, make sure to check that your DMV record has the most up to date address to assure that you will receive notifications.  


Why does the New York State DMV have the TEENS program?

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of people ages 16-17. Teenage drivers in New York State are over represented in fatal and personal injury crashes. Drivers this age are a very small percentage of the licensed drivers in New York State. However, the percentage of fatal and personal injury crashes that involve these drivers is much higher than others.

Statistics aside, common sense tells us that sound decision-making and judgment, as well as an awareness of hazards, develop through experience. Add to that the often-common teen behaviors such as risk-taking and thrill seeking, along with peer pressure, which all put young drivers in jeopardy. DMV wants to provide every tool possible to parents of young drivers. DMV wants to help parents help their young drivers develop safe and responsible driving behaviors.

 
Who can participate in the TEENS program?

Any parent or guardian who has a child under age 18, with a NYS driver permit or license can participate.

 
What happens when my child turns 18?

On the 18th birthday of the enrolled minor, participation in the program will automatically end. The young driver, now of legal age, no longer needs parental consent, and has the right of privacy of personal license file information.

 
Do ALL accidents appear on a driver's file?

No. Only accidents that are reported by police and/or motorists, and that meet the report threshold appear on a driver's file. The DMV report threshold for accidents is one that involves a death, personal injury or property damage to any one person in excess of $1,000.

 
What happens after I receive a notification?

DMV actions based on tickets, convictions, suspensions, revocations, or accidents on the junior driver record will not change due to enrollment in this program. Notification of these events is done as an informational service. What you do with the information is entirely up to you. However, we suggest that you use the opportunity to talk to your young driver and discuss how to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

For your convenience, many DMV PDF forms can be filled in online and then printed.