Being a parent to a teenager driver can be daunting, terrifying, and incredible all at once. You’ll be proud of your child and delighted for their chance to become even more independent, but you’ll also be painfully aware of the risks they’ll face behind the wheel.
For any teenager learning to drive, parental support matters much more than you might expect. If you’d like to help them become a confident, safe and responsible driver, here’s how to get through their lessons.
Be a calm and consistent presence
Whether you’re helping your teenager learn how to drive or not, you’ll set one of the most prominent examples in their life. Every time you drive with your child in the passenger seat, they’ll be noticing your habits and picking up on how you’re feeling. This is especially true if you suffer from a bit of road rage.
Driving carefully yourself will help to teach them good habits before they even step into the driver’s seat for the first time. When you stop at the line and give way to the right at a roundabout, you’ll serve as a live demonstration of how to follow the Highway Code.
Help them practise
If you’ve held your driving licence for at least three years, it’s likely that you’ll be able to company your teenager as a passenger in your own car. They must hold a provisional driving licence for this to be safe and legal.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of helping your teenager to practise their driving outside of formal lessons is the greater variety of conditions and locations. When you drive together in your own time, your teenager can become familiar with:
- Driving in the dark
- Wet weather and slippery roads
- Heavy traffic at rush-hour
- Rural roads and tight corners
- Parking and manoeuvres without pressure
With your support and time, they will be able to learn so much more about driving overall. Just make sure to obtain comprehensive young driver insurance for your teenager before they start driving solo.
Show them the basics of car care
Spending some time on the roads with your new driver means that you’ll also be able to show them what car ownership involves.
Without making it too boring, you could explain the cost of owning a car – including fuel, tax and insurance – along with the importance of keeping it parked safely. Additionally, you could point out basic maintenance techniques like checking the oil levels with the dipstick and topping up tyre pressure.
These skills might be underrated, but they could be invaluable on the roads.
Gradually build their independence
Once you’ve helped your child pick out a first car and showed them how to look after it, you can help them to find their own way.
If they still live at home, you may prefer to set curfews and other boundaries for their safety. It’s risky for young people to drive with friends soon after passing their test, but their rules will ultimately be your call.
Just remember that a supportive approach goes a long way. When you encourage your child to feel responsible yet confident, they’ll be set up for a successful time as a new driver.
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