5 teen driving apps to help your new driver stay safe

Getting a driver’s license is a big deal for teens—and let’s be honest, a little nerve-wracking for parents. It’s exciting to see them take on more independence, but it’s also normal to wonder how they’ll handle the responsibility.

Teen driving apps can give families helpful tools to stay connected and support safer driving. From tracking where your teen is to spotting risky driving habits like hard braking or speeding, these apps can offer a little peace of mind when you’re not in the passenger seat.

What are teen driving apps?

Teen driving apps are mobile tools designed to help young drivers build safe habits while giving parents visibility into how, where, and when they’re driving. These apps often include features like:

• Speeding alerts

• Hard braking or rapid acceleration notifications

• Location tracking and trip history

• Crash detection and emergency response

• Driver scorecards and feedback loops

In addition to tracking, many apps also provide tips for improvement or even rewards for safe behavior. Some are part of broader family safety platforms, while others focus specifically on driving.

What to look for in a teen driving app

Every family has different needs, but here are a few key features worth prioritizing:

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1. Real-time location sharing

This lets parents see where their teen is at any given moment. It’s helpful for managing curfews, making sure your teen arrives at their destination, and giving you oversight when they’re on long drives or unfamiliar routes. It can also help you pinpoint their location in the event of an emergency. 

2. Driving behavior insights

Some apps provide a detailed report card on driving habits, flagging behaviors like sudden braking, rapid acceleration, speeding, or even using the phone while driving. You can use these insights to talk to your teen about safer driving habits. 

3. Crash detection and SOS features

Some apps can automatically detect a crash and alert emergency contacts or emergency responders right away. It’s a feature you hope to never use, but it’s incredibly reassuring to have, especially when your teen is driving alone.

4. Ease of use

No one wants to spend hours figuring out how an app works. Look for apps that are simple to set up, easy to navigate, and offer customizable settings for alerts. If it’s not intuitive, your teen probably won’t use it, and you might not either.

5. Transparent privacy settings

Teens are learning to be independent, and it’s important to respect that. Choose an app that’s upfront about what information it collects and how it’s used. The goal is to stay connected, not to cross boundaries.

Top-rated teen driving apps to consider

Here’s a look at some of the best teen driving apps, based on features, cost, and reviews from other families.

Life360

Best for: Location sharing and family safety

• Features: Real-time GPS tracking, personalized driving reports, crash detection, emergency dispatch, and SOS alerts.

• Cost: Free basic plan; paid tiers ($7.99–$24.99/month) add advanced driving insights and safety tools.

• Bonus: Also includes check-ins, arrival notifications, and stolen phone protection.

• Standout: Life360 is a popular choice for multi-driver families who want a central place to monitor safety.

Bouncie

Best for: Plug-in device with detailed data

• Features: Real-time location, trip history, speed tracking, engine diagnostics, geofencing, and accident alerts.

• Cost: $9.65/month per vehicle, plus a one-time purchase of an OBD II Bouncie Device ($89.99).

• Bonus: Doesn’t rely on a phone for tracking — works directly with the car.

• Standout: Great for families who want more detailed, car-based insights.

Hum by Verizon

Best for: Families with Verizon plans

• Features: GPS tracking, vehicle diagnostics, driving history, roadside assistance, and crash detection.

• Cost: $10/month for Hum+ or $20/month for HumX, plus hardware costs; requires Verizon service.

• Bonus: Offers maintenance reminders, car health summaries, and navigation tools.

• Standout: Combines teen safety with practical car care for long-term maintenance habits.

TrueMotion Family

Best for: Encouraging healthy driving habits over time

• Features: Trip-by-trip summaries, phone use tracking, speeding and braking alerts, and weekly driving scores for each driver.

• Cost: Free

• Bonus: Families can see how everyone’s doing with a shared leaderboard, which can add a little friendly competition.

• Standout: It’s simple, straightforward, and helps start useful conversations about what’s going well and what could use a tune-up.

Greenlight app (with driving features)

Best for: All-in-one safety and money management

• Features: Real-time GPS tracking, crash detection, driving reports, and SOS alerts*.

• Cost: Included with Greenlight Infinity and Family Shield plans at $15.98 per month and $24.98 per month, respectively. 

• Bonus: In addition to driving tools, families get access to Greenlight's full suite of features, from chore management and allowance tracking to savings goals and investing features.**

• Standout: Greenlight helps families reinforce responsibility on the road and with money, making it a unique choice for raising financially savvy, safety-conscious teens.

Tips for helping your teen drive safely

Driving apps can help a lot, but they’re just one part of the picture. Here are a few ways to stay connected as your teen learns the ropes:

• Start with trust. Let your teen know the app is there to support them, not to catch them making mistakes. When teens feel trusted, they’re more likely to be open with you.

• Look at driving reports together. Check in on driving summaries as a team, not to critique but to learn. Talk about any risky moments and what could go better next time.

• Set some ground rules together. Discuss things like phone use, speed, who’s allowed in the car, and what to do in an emergency. Getting on the same page helps avoid surprises later.

• Call out the good stuff. Give a shoutout when they drive responsibly, check in on time, or stay focused. Reinforcing the wins can be just as helpful as flagging the misses.

• Be the example. Teens learn a lot by watching, so buckle up, stay off your phone, and follow the same rules you expect from them.

Empowering independence, safely

Teen driving apps aren't the answer to every concern, but they’re a smart step forward. They give families a way to support teens as they learn to drive, without overstepping or hovering. Used the right way, they open the door to better communication, safer habits, and more confidence on both sides.

At the end of the day, that’s the goal: a teen who feels trusted, prepared, and responsible behind the wheel—and a parent who can take a deep breath, knowing they’ve set them up well.

Keep your teen driver safe! Protect them with Greenlight’s money and safety app. From crash detection to emergency alerts, we have your back. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.† 

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

*Requires mobile data or a WiFi connection, and access to sensory and motion data from cell phone to utilize safety features including family location sharing and driving alerts and reports. Messaging and data rates and other terms may apply.

**© 2025 Greenlight Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor provides investment advisory services to its clients. Investing involves risk and may include the loss of principal. Investments are not FDIC-insured, are not a deposit, and may lose value.