Learning how to drive is a big occasion for parents and teenagers. If you have a teenager learning how to drive, keep the following helpful tips in mind to make sure they learn everything they need to know to have a successful experience.
Start With Small Trips
When you’re first teaching your teen how to drive, start with small, short trips on quiet back streets. Map out your route instead of driving randomly, and try to stay on roads that have speed limits under 35 mph. You want to stay within about 5 miles of your house, and your teen should only be behind the wheel for about 15 to 20 minutes. During each trip, you want to focus on a different skill, such as staying on the correct side of the road or stopping at stop signs.
Minimize Distractions
When your teen is behind the wheel, make sure you minimize other distractions in the car so they can focus on the road. Keep the radio volume turned down, keep your talking to a minimum, and make sure your teen knows to never use their phone while driving. When you do have to give your teen directions on where to turn, be sure you provide plenty of advance notice.
Have a Safe Car
While many parents think it’s better to use an old car when teens are learning to drive, newer cars have several safety features that teen drivers might find helpful. For example, the 2019 Kia Optima comes standard with a rearview camera, blind spot warning, forward collision warning with avoidance assistance, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic collision warning, lane change assist, driver attention warning, lane keep assist, and reverse park distance warning. No matter which vehicle you use, you always want to make sure it has good tires, proper mirrors, and no mechanical issues.
Review the Experience
If your teen makes a mistake while driving, don’t wait until you get home to correct them. Instead, have them pull over and calmly explain the error. While it’s important to explain mistakes right away, you also want to review the driving experience when you get home. As you talk about the driving session, make sure you don’t forget to point out the positives. Also, give your teen a chance to discuss how they feel they did and what they learned while driving.
Set a Good Example
Teens start learning how to drive long before they actually get behind the wheel by watching you drive. That’s why it’s always important to set a good example when you’re driving. Be sure to watch your speed, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, don’t speed through yellow lights, and don’t drive aggressively. Following the rules of the road will show your teen that driving is a privilege they need to take seriously.
From starting out with small trips to reviewing the drive after each lesson, these tips will help you teach your teen how to drive.
Image via Flickr by State Farm licensed under CC BY 2.0
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