Tips Your Teens Must Know About Handling Car Breakdowns

If you’re a nervous parent of a teen that’s driving, then there are some things they need to know.

• First, since no one knows what is going to happen on the road take the time to tell them you love them when they head out the door.
• However, be a proactive parent, by teaching them what to do if an emergency arises while they’re driving.

Teach Where Important Papers Are Kept

Before your teen pulls out of the driveway, they should know where the most important papers they might need if something happens are located in the vehicle. This includes the car’s registration and insurance papers.

Teach them to double-check they have their driver’s license. If you have roadside assistance, then make sure they know the number.

You’ll also want to talk to your teen about how to exchange insurance information.

How to Pullover in an Emergency

Regardless of the emergency, the teen should know to pull as far to the right as possible. If there is a parking lot or other parking area, then teach them to drive into it.

Once they have safely exited the road, then teach them to turn on their blinkers and to raise the hood of the car.

How to Stay with the Vehicle

Teach teens if it isn’t safe to get out of the vehicle to stay in it. Tell them never to try to walk for help but to remain with the car unless an officer tells them differently.

The most important thing they can do is stay safe and wait for help.

How to Change a Tire

Since a flat happens about every seven seconds in America resulting in over 220 million flats in the United States annually, teens should know how to change a flat tire. They should understand where the equipment is located in the car and how to use it.

You may even want to take them to a tire store like Evans Tire & Service Centers to show them how to buy a new tire if they ruin one on the car.

How to Call for Help

Teens may be tempted to call their friends before they call you. There’s nothing worse than reading on social media your teen has had a driving emergency, and you cannot get ahold of them.

Therefore, teach teens to call the police department and to call you. Teens are often afraid to call the police in case of an accident, so it is vital for you to stress this point.

The first few days of driving can be horrifying for both teens and their parents, relax as it is an essential milestone in their becoming mature adults. Teach the teen how to handle vehicle emergencies and trust that they have good judgment if an emergency arises.

You have done a good job until now, and they need your vote of confidence that they can handle this task.

About the author

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her 3-year-old husky Snowball. Twitter: @LizzieWeakley Facebook: facebook.com/lizzie.weakley

Once your child becomes a teen, the first thing they want to know is, “When can I start driving?” Of course, it’s natural for your teen to be incredibly eager to start driving.

However, teaching your teen to work on a car before they start driving can be incredibly beneficial. Additionally, it helps create a sense of vehicle awareness that can benefit your teen and their future passengers.