Your teen has been through so many milestones from his/her first steps to first date. None are as intimidating as this one, though: your teen is ready to start driving. Ready or not, here is a list of advice about how parents can help teens to learn driving. We hope to empower parents and teens to make the most of supervised driving training and to view it as a fulfilling experience.
Teaching driving skills to a teenager can be challenging, so we have gathered ten advice about how parents can help teens to learn driving. Read on:
1. Set a good example
Teens will always look to their parents for direction. Parents can help teens learn to drive by setting a good example for them. Always drive safely and follow traffic laws by:
- Obeying speed limits
- Practicing courtesy to other drivers
- Using turn signals
- Always maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you
- Never texting or talking on the phone while driving
- Stopping completely at all stop signs and red traffic signals
- Slowing down for yellow traffic signals
- Avoiding distractions while driving, such as having the car radio up too loud
- Having all car information in one place, like registration and insurance information
- Respecting laws relating to school buses, yield signs, and four-way stop intersections
2. Keep the car in good repair
Parents can help their teens learn to drive by minimizing vehicle worries so they can focus on driving rather than the car itself. Parents love to give their kids hand-me-down cars, but make sure the cars are in good working condition with a spare tire and jumper cables in the trunk, all lights in working order, brakes in good repair, and the engine tuned up and running great.
3. Take your teen driving in daylight
Nothing is more intimidating, even for an adult driver than night time glare or bad weather. Parents can help their teens learn to drive best in daylight and good weather. Gradually, her confidence will build to the point that she can start driving in other circumstances, but in the beginning, let her drive in good weather and during the day.
4. Don’t push
A teen isn’t automatically ready to drive just because he is old enough. You can bring it up to him and judge his reaction; if he doesn’t seem enthusiastic about the opportunity to drive, don’t push him.
5. Keep the lessons short
The best way parents can help teach their teens to drive is by limiting the lesson times. Learning to drive is stressful for both teen and parent, and initially, too much time behind the wheel can lead to arguments and hurt feelings. Keep the lessons short and pointed, with a goal behind each one.
6. Don’t expect your teen to be aware of surroundings
Initially, your teen will be focused entirely on keeping the car between the lines on the road. She won’t be looking for outside hazards like pedestrians or parked cars. While parents can help teach their teens to drive the car, they can’t remember to warn them about every potential distraction outside the vehicle. Remain calm and point out things the teen should be looking for, like children in a residential development or deer on a wooded road, as she is driving.
7. Right, right
Your teen will be nervous enough, so be careful and succinct when giving directions. Using terms like “right” when you mean “correct” may be funny in a movie, but not so much when you are teaching your teen to drive. Give plenty of warning before an upcoming turn and keep your directions short and pointed. Phrases like “Turn right at the light.” and “Turn left at the end of the block” are easier for your teen to process than “Turn right on Elm Street.” Even if he has known Elm Street his entire life, it will add an extra layer of anxiety to ask him to identify it as he is learning to drive.
8. Coach, don’t criticize
Parents can help teach their teens to drive best by remaining calm and impartial. You are there to coach your teen, not to criticize his driving. Don’t put your teen in the position of dreading her driving time because she knows you will criticize her throughout the lesson. Putting your child into a defensive mode by criticizing her is not helpful. Try to phrase your critique in a less emotionally destructive way. Instead of “you’re speeding. Slow down,” try asking your teen if she has seen the speed limit signs for the area she is driving or talk about general speed limits on highways and residential streets. If you are getting frustrated, it may be time to end the lesson.
9. Always give your teen reachable goals
Don’t overwhelm your teen with a cross country drive the first time he is behind the wheel. Find a big area, like a corner of a quiet parking lot, and give him small goals for each lesson. Reachable goals may be staying straight, reversing in a straight line, judging distance, turning right, turning left, or gradual braking. Remember that parallel parking is a skill that many adults still haven’t mastered, so save that lesson for after your teen has conquered the rest of his driving goals.
10. Calm down
You’re going to be nervous when you are in the passenger seat with your teen behind the wheel. Remember that your teen will be hyperaware of the atmosphere in the car, and your anxiety will only add to her own. While parents can teach their teens to drive, sometimes it’s helpful to enlist the help of a professional.
Check into local driving schools to help your teen build his initial confidence behind the wheel. An added plus? Your insurance company may offer lower rates for your teen if she successfully completes a professional driving course. Many times, a professional driving course will include taking your teen for her driving test, both the written and driving portions.
Your teen learning to drive is a huge milestone in his life, and the idea of your teen driving can be a daunting one. Remember that everyone who drives sat in the seat your teen is in now, learning the road rules and overcoming their anxiety behind the wheel. Parents can help teens learn to drive safely and prepare them for the road by following these ten simple tips.