5 tips for Teaching your Teen to Drive

Like most teens I could not wait to get my learners permit and start driving when I turned of age. I remember just turning 16 and going down to write the test with my mom. Here in Canada you get a trial period before you can get your full license like many places, I think it was six months at the time. But for me, life took over and my driving dreams were put on hold for a few years. I did not actually end up getting mine until I was a mom to three many years later. I even ended up going to driving school as an adult so I could do it a bit quicker and get the break on my insurance.

When it came time for my own children I was determined they experienced the freedom of driving as soon as they could. Both my older kids wrote the test for their learners permit when they were old enough. And just recently both became fully licensed drivers even though they are a few years apart. One took a bit longer than the other as life happens. They are both loving the freedom and independence of driving where they want when they want to now.

If you have teens you really should encourage them to start driving as soon as they can. I was nervous to teach them as I had no idea what to expect. My mom was not the best teacher and often would yell at me when I was in traffic. So I vowed to not do this with my kids. I took them both out when I could to practice. Starting on rural roads and in parking lots to get them comfortable with the feel of the car and the road. I found the more they practiced the more their confidence grew and they quickly got the hang of things.

My son who is the younger of the two was signed up for in car lessons a few months before his road test. We found an amazing school that would pick him up at school and bring him home. They drove him to his road test and loaned him their vehicle for the test. The instructor was amazing and took payments that fit our life and budget. Having another driver in the house has been a great asset as I now have help when it comes to errands and running the younger two around.

If your teen is approaching the age where they can drive, read the tips below for teaching your teen to drive. Good luck to you and them!

5 tips for Teaching your Teen to Drive

Set a good example: I quickly became aware of all of my bad habits when driving. My son would point them out to me when I would drive. Your teen is watching you, learning and mimicking your driving. Set a good example and quit the lazy bad habits like driving with one hand, distracted driving and not turning your blinker on when changing lanes.

If you get cut off remain calm and do not have road rage outbursts. What you do now while teaching your child, they will always remember when they are in this situation.

Remember the restrictions: Brush up on any laws and regulations in your area. Look online for anything that may have changed regarding rules of the road. Make sure your car is safe to drive, seat-belts on and no devices like mobile phones being used. You are teaching your child, make sure you know the rules yourself so you are not incorrectly showing them the wrong way.

New drivers are not allowed on highways or roads that have a high speed limit. There are also time limits on when they can drive and who they can drive with. Be sure to know the restrictions in your area.

Remain calm and communicate:It is easy enough to get stressed out when driving as it is. When your teen is driving they will go too fast a few times when merging. Maybe stop to suddenly or change lanes without doing a shoulder check. Remain calm. If you yell or sigh or make a scary noise they will jump and you will have a stressed out teen behind the wheel. Talk calmly and give clear instructions when telling them to do something. Start off small and slow and build up to busier, faster roads as they become more comfortable. If the thought of you being in the passenger seat freaks you out, then don’t! Hire an instructor and leave it up to them until you are ready and your teen is more at ease.

Bring in the professionals: I highly recommend to save arguments you get a driving instructor for your child. They will learn the most up to date rules and gain the knowledge they need to succeed. Having attended a driving school you often receive a discount on your insurance and can accelerate the wait time to taking the road test. Driving instructors cars are equipped with a passenger break and are road safe. They have signage on their cars allowing other drivers to know there is a student driver on the road. This warns others and often they stay away and are less likely to show aggression to the driver.

There are a variety of packages available depending on your teens needs. A full course with in class time and road experience or just a few times in car to brush up on what they already know.

Practice practice practice: I found the more my teens practiced the more comfortable they got. Like anything in life the more you do it , the more confident you are. Allowing them to drive you to your errands is a good way to get them comfortable in the car. Try not to have large gaps in time between them driving as it quickly brings on stress and self doubt and you will fins you and them are starting back at the beginning.

Do you have any tips to add?