Young Driver Safety in Alaska

Distracted driving is a clear concern in Alaska. Over 40% of Alaska students reported texting or emailing while driving in the 2023 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, dialing a phone number while driving increases teens’ risks of crashing by 6X. Texting while driving increases the risk by 23X.

Other risky behaviors include not driving at unsafe speeds for conditions, driving without a seatbelt, and driving while impaired or tired.

Caregivers have an important role to play in modeling safe driving behaviors and stressing the importance of engaged and mindful driving.

The Alaska DMV Instruction Permit page walks you through eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need, and how to schedule your knowledge test. Visit the Alaska DMV Instruction Permit page to get started.

Yes! We provide Ready Assess—a computer-based driving tool to test teens’ (ages 13+) ability to handle road hazards. Drivers see right away how they did and how they compare to other drivers. They’ll get tips to learn safe driving skills through short videos. This can guide teens’ learning with parents or their certified driving instructor. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

We’ve also partnered with Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction to make the program available in the Kenai area. 

State-approved driving schools can help teens build confidence and fulfill the supervised driving hours required for a provisional license. View the Alaska DMV driving school directory to find options near you.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes evidence-based fact sheets covering the biggest risk factors for teen drivers — including distracted driving, seat belt use, and nighttime driving — along with prevention strategies backed by research. Browse the NHTSA teen driving fact sheets here.

The National Safety Council’s mini-lessons are short, practical guides designed to help caregivers coach teen drivers on topics like managing distractions, choosing safe speeds, and making smart decisions under pressure. View the NSC mini-lessons here.

The New Driver Deal is a free, printable agreement from the National Safety Council that helps teens and caregivers establish shared expectations for when, where, and how the car gets used. It’s a simple but powerful tool for starting the conversation early. Download the New Driver Deal here.

In addition to being a safe driver, consider ways to protect your teen when walking or biking. If you are caring for or transporting younger children, we can also help you learn how to properly install car seats and booster seats.