Raising a teen is always an interesting, sometimes challenging, time in life. Things can get unpredictable, and you will probably be left a little confused by some situations. Don’t worry, they’re confused too.
One of the rites of passage for a teen is learning to drive a car. And as a parent, you have a duty to teach them.
While this sounds like a touching moment, it’s usually anything but. If you can recall back in the day when you learned to drive, you might remember a frightened parent in the passenger seat, clinging to anything around them for dear life and yelling at you to brake.
Well, that parent you remember is now you!
But not to worry! We’ve compiled some tips on teaching your teen how to drive.
These tips will help you achieve a stress-free, enjoyable experience for you and your teen. So, you can avoid being the bad guy, and your teen can learn how to drive effectively.
Know what Stage they are in
There are different stages to learning how to drive, and it’s essential to know where your teen is before putting them behind the wheel for a test drive.
Here’s an outline of the stages your teen will go through as they learn more about driving:
1 Unable to Drive
At this stage, your teen needs to be learning the basics of the car. Don’t start the engine, but put them in the driver’s seat and show them what everything is and how it works. Show them the dashboard, lights, turn signals, and all the other necessities.
2 Parking Lot Driving
Once they know the basics, they need to put it to practice. For their first time handling a car, you will want to take them to a remote place like an empty parking lot so, they can learn to maneuver the car safely.
3 Residential Streets
At this stage, they will learn how to interact with other cars and pedestrians on the road. Keep it as simple as possible, but make sure they are learning how to make turns, change lanes, and abide by the rules of the road.
4 Freeways
This is the most advanced stage. Your teen will be going at high speeds and changing lanes quickly.
In teaching your teen how to drive, make sure he/she feels comfortable doing this. Also, encourage them to try it even if they are nervous.
Plan Ahead
As the coach, it’s your job to decide the route and direct your teen. Make sure you know what stage your teen is at and map out a route before you go.
If you are prepared, you can give proper and helpful directions. Be sure to let your teen know where they will be going ahead of time as well.
Teach them the Basics before Driving
As outlined in stage 1 of driving, before you hit the road, your teen needs to know where everything is in the car and how to use it. Take time to just sit in the car and go over all of its parts.
You can even make a game out of it and quiz your teen on the parts of a car and how to use them. Be sure to teach them vehicle maintenance as well so they can take full ownership and responsibility for the car.
Criticize with Care
As you get on the road, remember your teen is nervous and wants to do well. Be direct, but try to avoid being overly critical. Make sure you are praising their accomplishments as they go (“You used your turn signal! Great work!”) so when you do need to correct, it’s not a hard blow.
Keep Your Emotions in Check
Your teen is going to feed off of your energy because you’re setting the example for them, so try to remain as calm as possible. If you are getting irritated by situations on the road, they will learn to do so as well.
If you are frantic, they will be as well. While it’s a high-stakes situation, nothing will be solved by panicking.
And remember to stay focused on the road. Your teen will learn to do the same, which can help them take driving more seriously and avoid distracted driving.
Phrase Corrective Statements as Questions
If your teen is doing something wrong, instead of telling them what to do, try phrasing the correction as a question. For example, if your teen is speeding, instead of yelling, “Slow down!” ask them, “Do you know what the speed limit is here?” Gentle reminders can go a long way.
Give Directions Ahead of Time
While experienced drivers can turn on a dime, teens cannot. If you’ve planned out your route, you can let your teen driver know ahead of time they will be making a left turn in a few blocks.
You can also let them know they will need to be in the right-hand lane in a mile to make their freeway exit. These simple and effective tips will help in teaching your teen how to drive.
It’s logical to want your teenager to be aware of the many dangers of the road. Here’re four other important things to teach your teenager about driving.
