A Comprehensive Review of the Top 5 Teen Driving Monitor Devices For Safe Driving
When it comes to teen driving it can be hard to trust that your child is making smart choices. With GPS tracking for teenage drivers, however, you can keep an eye on your child’s driving habits and make sure they are driving safely. Let’s start by looking at the different features provided by teen tracking systems, from SOS buttons to locator tracking, and make our picks for the five best GPS teen driving monitor choices for teenage driving safety!
Car Tracking Devices For Teenage Drivers – 5 Best For 2023
1. SpaceHawk: Top Overall Teen Driving Monitor
Our top choice, SpaceHawk consistently is the best-reviewed real time GPS tracking system available on the market right now for teen driver safety. Not only is it small—the size of a roll of electrical tape, its unobtrusive size makes it easy to secretly keep an eye on teen driving habits—but it tracks real time locations with an accuracy of 6 feet! The exterior magnet mount makes it easy to hide on the car frame, too. This product stands above other tracking systems due to its size, features, and overall usability, making it the best tool parents can use for observing driving habits. 
Coolest Features
- With updates as fast as every three seconds (the fastest on the market), you can always know where your teen is located. Even better the month-to-month data plans don’t include any activation fees or termination fees, making it one of the most affordable vehicle trackers for parents
- The exterior magnet combined with waterproof housing means you really can hide the SpaceHawk anywhere on your teen’s vehicle, making it a fantastic choice for GPS tracking for teenage drivers.
- Speed alerts when your teen drives too fast, geofence alerts if your teen is going somewhere they are not supposed to be, and free technical support to help you use all the product features
Shortcomings
- The one drawback of the SpaceHawk is the short battery life, roughly 2 weeks (assuming 2 hours of driving time per day), which isn’t great for a top-of-the-line teen GPS tracker.
2. Plug & Play GPS – Best OBD Teen Driving Monitor With No Monthly Fees
One of the best devices for parents to monitor teen driving, the Plug & Play Teen GPS plugs directly into the automobile’s OBD2 port. That means parents don’t have to hire a professional installer to equip the device. What makes this tracker stand above all the vehicle tracking devices on this list are the no monthly fees (one year of service is included) and the 3-second update rate (the fastest of any tracker on the market today. Overall, this is a fantastic car tracker guaranteed to bring any parent peace-of-mind.
Coolest Features
- No monthly fees for the first year of service so parents can put teenage drivers on a probation period to ensure safe driving.
- Unlimited updates every 3 seconds on live GPS position updates, which is the fastest on the market and better than any other OBD2 tracking device.
Shortcomings
- Device can only be connected to the on board diagnostic port of a vehicle.
3. MOTOsafety
Outside of the LandAirSea 54, you can’t find a better teen GPS tracker than the MOTOsafety. What makes it so perfect when it comes to GPS tracking for teenage drivers is its one-second updating, as well as incredibly detailed data—including any and all, addresses your teen visits, driving speeds, and more, all without any sort of required subscription.
Coolest Features
- Unlike most GPS trackers for teen drivers, MOTOsafety doesn’t require a subscription, meaning you don’t have monthly service fees to worry about.
- Additionally, it will work anywhere in the world, so if your kid runs off to Mexico, Canada, or parts unknown, you’re still covered.
Shortcomings
- As a GPS data logger (no monthly fee GPS tracker), the MOTOsafety GPS requires you to retrieve the device from your teen’s vehicle in order to access the data on it.
Learn more about GPS trackers with no subscription fees when you CLICK HERE!
4. Spy Tec STI GL300: Track Teens Car
Like the LandAirSea 54, Spy Tec utilizes strong magnets to make it easy to hide the STI GL300 on a car’s exterior. While the location tracking isn’t quite as good (accuracy within 15 feet, for instance), the size is roughly comparable (the size of a matchbox), making this another great GPS tracker for teen drivers.
Coolest Features
- What really sets the STL GL300 apart from other teen GPS tracker devices is the addition of an SOS button, allowing your child to send an instant notification of their location if they ever run into trouble.
Shortcomings
- Though the data logger is only activated when the accelerometer detects teen driving, the battery still has lifespan issues, with many users reporting less than the claimed two-week battery life. A separate six-month battery can be purchased, however.
Read our complete review of the SpyTec GL300 tracker when you CLICK HERE!
5. MasTrack: OBDii Car GPS Tracker For Teens
Though a bit pricier than some of the other top options when it comes to selecting a GPS tracker for teen drivers, the OBD2 GPS offers more technical features than other teen GPS tracker options. For instance, in addition to locator tracking, this monitoring system also records speeding harsh braking, notes idling times and sends maintenance reminders, like when it’s time to change the oil. This is the reason vehicle GPS can boost personal safety and overall driver safety.
Coolest Features
- The car stats offered by MasTrack go above and beyond what is offered by other companies, meaning teen drivers can focus more on being good drivers and less on keeping track of maintenance.
Shortcomings
- Though text alerts are a nice touch, each text comes from a different randomly generated number, meaning it’s impossible to keep that data together in one text chain.
Read our complete review of the best GPS car trackers when you CLICK HERE!
BONUS: Optimus: Teen Driver Tracking
When it comes to discreetly tracking your teen drivers, Optimus’ Real Time GPS Tracker for teen drivers offers routing features, though service fees vary. Unlike some other real time teen GPS tracker options, you may need to purchase a waterproof case separately in order to effectively protect the device from the elements.
Coolest Features
- Data is neatly summarized in a variety of charts, making it easy to better understand your teen’s driving habits and even the tracking summaries are far more comprehensive than other comparable models.
Shortcomings
- Though one minute is the advertised tracking update frequency, many users report that it is frequently more like once every several minutes, meaning tracking may not be particularly precise or exactly real time.
Honorable Mention Teen GPS Tracking Devices
There are a lot of different GPS vehicle tracker solutions that allow parents to view teen driving activity from smartphone apps, and the above-mentioned GPS car trackers. However, here are some honorable mentions of 4G GPS devices that can monitor speeding, provide real time location, and even offer magnetic mounts for boosting driving habits.
- Motosafety GPS
- Buddy Tag
- Primetrackings Personal GPS Tracker
10 First-Time Driving Tips
Of course, GPS tracking for teenage drivers is just one way you might be able to help your children toward safer teen driving. There are also plenty of ways you can help instruct them, such as:
- Encourage slow acceleration. Not only does this ensure better engine performance, but it also gives them more control over the car.
- Remind them to hold the wheel steadily. Consistent grip at either 10 and 4 or 9 and 3 can help ensure smooth, predictable driving.
- Emphasize gentle braking. Just like mild acceleration, soft braking improves control and reduces the likelihood of being rear-ended.
- Urge them to maintain safe speeds. Respect for speed limits helps protect both them and other drivers.
- Teach following distance. Advise them to keep a sufficient gap between their car and the one ahead, giving them extra reaction time. The two-second rule is a good starting point.
- Reiterate the importance of road signs. Even though they must know these for the driving test, it may take time for new teen drivers to interpret them intuitively.
- Promote smart lane choices. Planning lane changes, especially before turns, can prevent unnerving encounters with other drivers.
- Instruct them to communicate their intentions. This includes timely signaling, as well as the previously mentioned gentle braking and accelerating.
- Advise them to check blind spots. As new drivers, they’ll need to remind themselves to do this before changing lanes or reversing.
- Finally, stress limiting distractions. While texting and phone calls while driving are obviously dangerous, even activities like singing along to the radio or chatting with a passenger can compromise safety.
Teen Driving Statistics – What Parents Need To Know!
Check out the following ten teen driving statistics as you look at GPS tracking for teenage drivers and other ways to help make the roads safer:
- Annually, nearly 300,000 teens end up in hospitals due to injuries from car accidents.
- Each year, car crashes claim the lives of 2,500 to 3,000 teens, with drivers accounting for 56% and passengers for 44%.
- According to the CDC, though just 14% of Americans are aged 15-24, these teens are responsible for a staggering 30% of male and 28% of female motor vehicle injury costs.
- Drivers between 15 and 19 years old are four times more likely to crash than older drivers.
- Risky driving behavior typically begins to wane around age 25 and doesn’t surge again until after 65.
- Certain teens, particularly males, show an even higher inclination towards risky driving. Full insurance for these drivers can exceed $3,000.
- If a teen has their own policy, the cost could rise to over $10,000, depending on the state.
- Generally, insurance costs significantly increase with teen drivers in the family, often by 44 percent or more.
- In many states, insurance increases might exceed 100%, with states like Arkansas (116%), Utah (115%), Wyoming (112%), Alabama (111%), Idaho (107%), Maine (105%), and Washington (105%) leading the pack.
- Almost half of all teens have been passengers with a teen driver who was texting or talking on the phone while driving.
- Surprisingly, teens admit that adults are generally better drivers; a General Motors report found that 31% of teens felt unsafe with an adult driver, compared to 49% with a teen driver.
- The death rates for drivers are highest at 16 and increase with each additional passenger for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Best Features of Car Tracking Devices For Parents
Now, you understand the dangers of teen driving. That is great! But what features should you look for when researching realtime GPS devices? Here are the key features our security experts recommend you consider before investing in a mini GPS:
- Active real time tracking or GPS data logging. You’ll need to decide for yourself whether or not you need real time tracking (which requires a cellular network and a data plan) or if a data logger (which requires you to retrieve the device periodically in order to download the data) is a better fit for your needs.
- Battery life. Unless the device plugs into the automobile’s power supply, the GPS tracking for teenage drivers you choose will only last as long as its batteries allow.
- Data tracking. Only you can determine which pieces of data are most important to you in your teen GPS tracker, but key considerations might include driving speed and routes, stop points, idling times and locations, and more, depending on which pieces are important to you.
- Size. If you are attempting to hide your teen GPS tracker from your teen driving, for instance, you likely want a small device that is easy to hide. If, however, your child knows that you are using GPS tracking for teenage drivers, you don’t need to worry about the size.
- Durability. Similarly, if you are placing the teen GPS tracker on the exterior frame of the car, you need to be sure that the GPS tracking for teenage drivers is successful and not ruined by the weather. That may mean a weatherproof case and strong magnets, for instance.
- Cost. You’ll also need to determine what you’re willing to spend, as some devices are far more expensive than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The #1 Killer Of Teenagers?
While some other mortality factors among teens are on the rise (non-vehicular accidental deaths, homicides, and suicides have all risen in the past decade, for instance), the truth remains that vehicular accidents are by far the number one killer of teenage drivers.
Those deaths are split between teen drivers and their passengers; roughly 56% of the 2,500 to 3,000 teens that die in motor vehicle accidents each year are the drivers, with passengers accounting for the other 44%.
All told, roughly 300,000 teens are treated for injuries from motor vehicle accidents each year. As a result, GPS tracking for teenage drivers can be one way to help keep your children safe, as teen driving isn’t always the safest, and monitoring their driving behavior with a teen GPS tracker can be one way to help them improve.
How Much Does Your Insurance Go Up When You Add A Teenage Driver?
The answer to that question may vary a great deal. According to Insurance.com, the average family with a teen driver sees their insurance rates increase by at least 44 percent. Similarly, if a teen driver is put on their own insurance policy, the average annual quoted rate is $2,267—more than three times higher than the average annual cost increase of $621 to add a teen driver to their parent’s policy.
There are, however, quite a few things you can do to potentially decrease the insurance increase you can expect with a teen driver. Some insurance companies offer lowered rates for good grades or for teen drivers who have taken certain driver’s ed courses, for instance. It may be worth reaching out to various insurance companies to see what breaks they might be able to give you for certain benchmarks—including potentially taking advantage of GPS tracking for teenage drivers to prove that your child is a safe teen driver.
Can Using A Teen GPS Tracker Offer Me Peace Of Mind?
Absolutely! Using a teen GPS tracker such as the SpaceHawk can provide an unprecedented level of peace of mind. These trackers for kids give real-time location updates, allowing you to keep tabs on your child’s location. This means you can always know where they are, whether they’re driving to school or going out with friends. Not only does this mean your child’s safety, but it also means less worry for you.
Is It Necessary To Pay A Monthly Subscription For A Teen GPS Device?
Not always. Some GPS trackers for kids, like the Plug & Play GPS, come with a year of service included. No monthly service fee is charged during this period, making it a budget-friendly option. Remember, it’s always crucial to check the product comparisons and buying guide before making a final decision, as features and costs can vary.
Are there mobile applications to help monitor my teen drivers?
Yes, there are! Various driving monitoring apps like TrueMotion Family and Mama Bear offer parents insights into their teen’s driving habits. These apps not only track speed limits but also hard braking and rapid acceleration. Additionally, apps like Hum by Verizon even offer vehicle health insights, ensuring car safety and informing about any potential car recall.
Why should I consider a teen driving app?
For peace of mind! Teenagers driving can be a source of anxiety for parents. Distractions abound, and car crashes involving new drivers are sadly frequent. By using a driving app, you’re equipped to monitor your teen’s habits on the road, track their whereabouts, and even get alerted to distracted driving. Don’t you want to protect your teen?
What features should I look for in a teen driving monitoring app?
Directly, look for tracking, alerts, and vehicle health. An ideal teenage driving monitoring app will not only track your teen’s location but also provide feedback on their driving. Things like harsh braking, distracted driving, and exceeding the speed limit are key features. Some apps, like Hum by Verizon, even alert you to car repair needs or potential recalls. Additionally, consider if there’s a monthly subscription and if it fits within your budget.
Are There GPS Trackers Compatible With Both Android And iOS Systems?
Yes, indeed! Most teen GPS trackers, including Vyncs Link and Brickhouse Security Lightning GPS, offer a mobile app compatible with both Android and iOS platforms. This means you can track your child’s location from your smartphone, giving you real-time location tracking right at your fingertips.
Does A Teen Vehicle GPS Tracker Require Batteries?
This depends on the model. Most GPS locator devices have an internal battery that lasts about 2 weeks with 2 hours of driving per day. Meanwhile, others like the Plug & Play GPS use power from the car via the OBDII cable. Always check the product specifications to understand what kind of power source is required.
Resources:
- https://gpstrackershop.com/teen-driving-monitor/
- https://managedmoms.com/2022/02/guest-post-5-reasons-concerned-parents-use-teen-gps-trackers/
- https://www.trackingsystemdirect.com/teen-gps-tracker/
- https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/01/health/youth-injury-death-rate-cdc-study/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db37.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/index.html
- https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/things-to-know-when-driving-for-the-first-time/
- https://www.cbac.com/media-center/blog/2014/april/8-driving-safety-tips-for-teen-and-first-time-dr/
- https://thefrisky.com/teen-gps-tracker/
- https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-teen-driving
- https://www.trackingsystemdirect.com/positive-facts-about-teenage-driving/
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