Benjamin Waterfield, 17, died after Calvin McRobb, 20, lost control of his Citroen C2 on the A947 Dyce to Newmachar road in March last year.
McRobb, of Cove, admitted causing his friend's death by driving carelessly.
Sentence at Aberdeen Sheriff Court was deferred.
A man has admitted causing the death of his teenage friend in an Aberdeenshire car crash two days after passing his driving test.