Teaching your teen driver to be aware of the other vehicles on the road is a vital aspect of safe driving. Show them how to check their blind spots and adjust their mirrors so that they can see other vehicles more effectively. Show them how to drive safely, especially during poor weather or at night. And teach them about how to avoid distractions, such as cell phones and other electronic devices. Distracted driving Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents and can lead to collisions. Even if a cell phone is convenient, teens should avoid using it while driving. In addition to reducing distractions, they should learn their vehicle's manual and how to use the dashboard signals. Parents should also discuss with their teens the consequences of talking or texting on the phone while driving. Keeping these in mind will help your teenager avoid a collision. One of the biggest mistakes made by a teenage driver is driving with emotion. While they may think they have everything under control, stress can lead to mistakes or increased anxiety. When this happens, parents should remind them to pull over. During stressful conversations, parents should reassure their teens that pulling over is okay. If a teen is using a cell phone while driving, they should pull over. It will keep them from distracted driving and improve their driving performance. Keeping a safe driving record One of the most effective ways to keep your teenager from having a car accident is to be present when they are driving. It is extremely important for your teenager to stay calm and collect their thoughts during a collision. It can also help them avoid having a confrontation with the other driver before the police arrive. Teenagers are known for being quick with their cell phones and can sometimes take pictures that may be embarrassing for them later. Another way to help your teenager avoid a collision is to set stricter standards for them while they are driving. You can also consider enrolling your teenager in a defensive driving class. Many insurance companies award discounts to good students and may even include accident forgiveness clauses in the policy. The best way to set stricter standards is to set an example. A safe following distance for a car is three to four seconds. In poor visibility and heavy traffic, you can increase this distance. Research also shows that graduated driving laws are associated with a reduction in fatalities. Educating a teen driver If you want your teen to drive safely, you should take driver's education classes. During the course, a teen learns about road safety and traffic patterns. He or she also learns how to react to problems that may occur on the road. Teens should know how to plan ahead and call 911 when an accident occurs. They should also take care to check for injuries and render basic first aid. If possible, they should stay in their vehicle until help arrives. Another important safety tip is teaching your teen to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of them. The more space they have to stop or brake, the better. This technique is simple to teach, but only if the sky is clear. It is also important to emphasize to your teen the importance of wearing a seat belt and using headlights in fog or darkness. Once they understand how to drive safely, they can gradually increase their driving privileges. Keeping a car in good condition For a first-time driver, keeping a car in good condition will minimize the risk of a crash. If your teen is only learning to drive, consider investing in safety features, such as an anti-lock brake system and electronic stability control. Some teens may also find it useful to purchase a car with intelligent seat belt reminders. It is also wise to check the car's safety rating, which is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Although a used car usually has a warranty, be careful to keep it dry, since water damage will shorten its lifespan and reduce safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a website where parents can check if a particular car is affected by a recall. Also, remember that no car is perfect. Make sure to check the car's recall history on the NHTSA website before you buy it. In addition to checking for recalls, make sure to keep the lights on during dawn and dusk, as animals have no understanding of the rules of the road.

Before you buy a salvage title vehicle, you must check the car's VIN. It must match the VIN on the dashboard. Look for red flags, like paint missing from a bolt. If the car has been in a collision, such as a flipped over vehicle, or is showing signs of damage, make sure you see them. Spend extra time on difficult-to-reach areas, such as the trunk. If the seller doesn't offer to check the vehicle for you, ask if you can take it to your mechanic for inspection. Buying a salvage title car You should never buy a salvage title car for more than half of what you'd pay for a new one. Salvage titles are usually only given to vehicles that can't be repaired or roadworthy. Purchasing a salvaged vehicle is a gamble, because you are likely to have to pay more for repairs than the vehicle is worth. In addition to the risk of buying a salvaged car, there are also risks to buying a salvage title car. Buying a salvage title car may be an excellent option for someone on a budget, but it is essential that you understand what a salvage title means. Depending on the type of damage the car suffered in an accident, you could end up paying much more than the vehicle is worth. If you don't want to pay this amount, you might want to shop around for insurance on the salvaged car. Moreover, make sure that the seller discloses the car's salvage title, and is willing to provide you with all the necessary information. If you're not sure, you can file a lawsuit. Checking for a salvage title If you are looking to buy a used car, you should check if it has a salvage title before you purchase it. These cars cannot be registered until the state inspects them and certifys that they are safe to drive. If you are buying one from a private seller, you can obtain a partial AutoCheck report, which will give you a general idea of the vehicle's history. The process for obtaining a salvage title is handled through your state's department of motor vehicles. It will vary from state to state, but it typically involves filling out an application, paying applicable fees, and submitting the car for an inspection. This inspection will determine the extent of the vehicle's damage and its overall condition. You will need the vehicle identification number, mileage, and condition to match. Inspecting a salvage title car If you are interested in purchasing a car with a salvage title, you will need to undergo an inspection. A salvage title car is not the same as a rebuilt title, and you may be surprised by the costs involved. In addition to the costs, it may be difficult to sell a salvaged vehicle because it is still considered a salvage. Fortunately, there are some ways to make the inspection process go more smoothly. Before purchasing a salvage title car, you should inspect it carefully. The insurance company may have declared the vehicle totaled, but this is illegal. A vehicle stamped with salvage cannot be legally operated in the state. Once the salvage certificate is issued, the vehicle should be taken off the road and towed to the DMV for inspection. The DMV is also aware of the salvage status, and this is why you should take care to remove the plates if you are buying a car with a salvage title. Getting a loan for a salvage title car If you have a salvage title and want a new car, you can apply for a loan to purchase it. You will need the salvage title of your vehicle as well as proof of income, including a government issued ID, and the loan amount. A photo ID is a must, as is proof of address. If you do not have a government issued ID, you can also use a driver's license or passport. A salvage title car may be worth more than a clean-title car. Salvage title vehicles are typically valued between 55 and 60 percent of their original value. The loan amount will depend on the car's price and the title loan limit set by the state. Lending firms use the Kelley Blue Book website to determine the value of the car. They must be adequate for the borrower's needs. Reselling a salvage title car Reselling a salvage title car can be a tricky endeavor. First of all, it's illegal. While it might be hard to sell a car with a salvage title, a potential buyer can always check out the vehicle's history report and discover the problem for themselves. Buying a salvage car also presents other challenges like getting a loan or an insurance policy. So, how do you avoid these difficulties? The most obvious way to sell a salvaged car is to trade it in at a car dealership. Large national dealers may be more willing to take it than a small, privately-owned dealership. However, a smaller privately-owned dealership may not be interested in buying a salvaged title car because it is more work for them and a more difficult vehicle to resell. Additionally, a salvage title car's value may have depreciated by as much as 10% or 50% from its original NADA or Kelley Blue Book value.