Most parents approach the milestone of seeing their child behind the wheel with a mixture of excitement, pride and apprehension. Driving provides freedom and a sense of control, but it can be daunting for parents. It’s impossible to protect your kids from every hazard, but preparing them for life on the road can help to lower risks. In this handy guide, we’ll share some top hacks to help you prepare your teen for driving.
Practice as much as possible
Practice is incredibly valuable for new drivers. While it’s beneficial to read guides and view videos, nothing prepares you for life behind the wheel like real-life scenarios. Try to encourage your teen to practice as much as possible, either with you or a trusted family member or friend. Practice will help them develop their skills, boost their confidence and get to grips with the challenges drivers face. Driving regularly is also critical for improving hazard awareness and enabling individuals to become more familiar with different roads and routes.
Make sure they understand the rules of the road
One of the most important steps to take as a new driver is to understand the rules of the road and the potential implications of breaking laws. Teach your child about driving laws, encourage them to read guides and manuals and be prepared to answer questions. Familiarize yourself with state and national guidelines and use resources such as posts on driving rules for 16-year-olds. Gaining an understanding before they start driving will help your kids appreciate the importance of abiding by motoring laws and develop sound hazard detection skills.
Hire a great instructor
A driving instructor can have a major impact on the experience of learning to drive for teens and adults alike. While a great instructor can motivate and reassure individuals and help them improve their skills and confidence, poor instructors can lead to decreased confidence, a lack of skills and a higher risk of anxiety. People who don’t enjoy their lessons might also be less interested in driving in the future. It’s beneficial to research driving instructors, read verified reviews and ask for recommendations. If you don’t have neighbors, friends or relatives who can offer advice, use local social media groups. These are brilliant resources for finding reputable, top-rated businesses, including driving schools.
Set a good example
Children learn from their parents from day one. You may feel as though your kids don’t pay much attention to you once they hit the teen years, but this isn’t true. Setting a good example when you drive is crucial for encouraging good driving habits and road etiquette and helping children to feel more confident when they drive. Avoid errors like driving too close to other vehicles, losing patience and getting angry, driving too fast, and losing focus due to distractions.
For most parents, waving their child off on their first venture behind the wheel is a major milestone. It’s an exciting time, but it can also be daunting. To help your child excel and prepare for life on the road, it’s beneficial to encourage them to practice as much as possible, ensure they understand the rules of the road, hire a great instructor, and set a good example.
