Learning to drive can be a dream for teenagers and an absolute nightmare for parents who have to watch them take to the road for the first time. Driving comes with many new responsibilities and dangers, many of which parents spend years trying to shield their children from, so dropping those shields can be a challenging task. This guide will help you advise your teenager to become a safe and responsible driver.
Lay a Strong Foundation for Safe Driving
Before your teenager gets behind the wheel, it’s important to establish a strong base from which they can become a safe driver. It’s easy for a teenager to gloss over the particulars due to the excitement that comes with getting a license. Giving your teenager a strong place to start should ensure they grow into an effective and responsible driver.
Study the Rules of the Road
While most teenagers will complete a driver’s ed course in high school, the rules of the road are expansive and easy to forget. Before your teenager is left to their own devices on the road, it can be helpful to conduct a review of what they’ve learned, so it’s fresh in their mind once they’re in the driver’s seat.
Set a Good Example
Kids pick up a lot from their parents, and that applies to driving habits as well. If your teenager sees you drive aggressively or disobey traffic laws, they may think that it’s okay for them to do the same. One of the best ways for your teenager to become a safe driver is to demonstrate what it means to be a safe driver. This can help prevent reckless behaviour, and give them a healthy first impression of what it’s like to drive.
Help Build Their Driving Skills
Once you’ve established the basics of safe driving, it’s time to help your teenager build up their skills so that they can be prepared for anything. Most teenagers aren’t going to be perfect when they first start, so it’s vital to take things one step at a time before they’re left to drive alone.
Start Small
For some teenagers, the thought of getting behind the wheel and driving alongside other motorists can be just as intimidating as it is exciting. Starting with short trips in low-density areas can be a great way to build your teen driver’s confidence, giving them a chance to develop their skills without the pressure that comes with driving long distances on busy roads. That way, when it’s time to take on busier roads, they’ll be experienced enough to feel comfortable.
Establish Boundaries
One of the fears that many parents have when it comes to teen driving is how they will respond to this new sense of freedom. It can be helpful to establish hard boundaries with your teenager so they don’t do anything reckless. This could be a curfew or a limited area that they’re allowed to drive in. It’s important to stick to those rules so your teenager doesn’t try to circumvent them.
Prepare Them for an Emergency
Even with all of the knowledge you’ve taught your teenager, unexpected things may happen when they are driving. From a popped tire to a minor fender bender, they must know how to handle accidents or emergencies so they can be well-rounded drivers.
Teach Simple Car Care
While your teenager shouldn’t be expected to have the knowledge of a seasoned mechanic, it can be helpful to understand simple car care in the event of an emergency. Knowing how to change a flat tire is a great place to start.
Review What to do in the Event of an Accident
Car accidents can be scary no matter what age you are, and it’s hard to be prepared no matter the circumstances. Educate them on exchanging information, ensure they have all necessary documentation in their car.
Stay Patient
Above all else, the best thing to do when your teen is learning to drive is to remain as patient as possible. They’re going to make mistakes, and they’re going to do things that drive you crazy, but remember that you probably did the same to your parents. For your teen driver to become the best they can be, it’s important to give them the appropriate support to drive with confidence.
Watching your teenager figure out how to drive can be one of the hardest things as a parent, but once they have it figured out, you can rest knowing they’ve grown into a more independent individual.
Last Updated on June 24, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
