Rivian is developing a driving mode intended for teenagers, which will allow guardians to restrict the power of their electric vehicles, some of which have more than 1,000 horsepower.
This feature, called Teen Mode, is scheduled to be implemented across all models from the American manufacturer in early 2027. The covered models include the R1T pickup and the R1S and R2 SUVs, as well as a specific mode aimed at maneuverers.
Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's software director, stated in an interview with The Drive website. He explained that this feature arose in response to requests from the owner community, who expressed concern about handing over large, high-acceleration vehicles—weighing between 2.3 and 3.2 tons and reaching 96 km/h in 2.5 seconds—to inexperienced drivers.
The most powerful versions, such as the R1T Quad, reach 1,039 hp, while the R2, a smaller and more affordable model, has up to 665 hp.
Bensaid justified the launch timeline of the function, mentioning that the company wanted to implement it correctly, utilizing the digital key infrastructure and the brand's new user profile architecture. By registering in the app and providing their actual age, the teenager's profile will automatically operate in restricted mode.
To prevent the young person from lying about their age, the owner will maintain administrative authority over the profiles. The guardian can designate which children will use the limited profile and link key cards, presence keys, or mobile phones to each of them. According to the executive, it will be impossible to exit the profile without the password set by the owner.
The mode's interface will be similar to that of the RAD Tuner, a Rivian tool used to adjust powertrain performance. Bensaid clarified that the goal is not necessarily to allow the selection of an exact power value, but rather to define restriction categories. These categories include power limitation, prevention of disabling stability control, and access to off-road driving modes, with five to ten configurable adjustments planned.
Previously, parents seeking this type of control relied on third-party speed limiters. With Rivian, these restrictions will be integrated directly into the vehicle's system.
The maneuverer mode operates autonomously. Bensaid added that the owner can lock compartments and prevent access to the front trunk and glove compartments when the vehicle is in the possession of others.
The relevance of this discussion is greater in the United States, where many states allow teenagers to drive starting at age 16. In Brazil, the minimum age required to obtain a driver's license is 18 years old. It is important to note that Rivian does not sell its models in Brazil.