If you have a teenager in the family, chances are they are looking forward to learning to drive – and you are dreading the day they pass their G1 test and hit the road. Learning to drive and getting a license is a major milestone in the life of a young person, but it can be a source or worry and trepidation for the parents involved.
If you want your son or daughter to grow up and be a safe driver, the time to lay the groundwork is now – before they land that learner’s permit and start taking lessons. Here are 5 ways to get your teenager ready for life as a solo driver.
]Model good driving behavior
If you tailgate, swerve between lanes and yell at other drivers, your teen will probably mimic those bad behaviors. Model the behavior you want your teen to copy every time you get behind the wheel.
Teach your teen about proper car care
Once your teen takes the road, he or she will need to monitor the performance of the family car. Now is the time to review proper automotive maintenance, from listening to strange rattles to checking the oil, the lessons your teen learns now can last a lifetime.
Help your son or daughter get a job
Driving is expensive, and it is only fair for your offspring to shoulder part of the burden. Pairing driving privileges with employment is a great way to teach responsibility and the value of a dollar.
Review the driver’s manual
Knowing the driver’s manual will be essential if your teen is to pass the driving test on their first try, so brush up on the rules of the road and surprise your son or daughter with a few pop quiz questions.
Explain behind the wheel etiquette and behaviors
Instead of just driving your teen to school or soccer practice, use the trip as a learning experience. Explain why you are stopping well behind the driver in front of you, or why you slow down to turn a corner or pull into the driveway. Explaining, and modeling, proper driving behavior can set your teen up for success when it is time to take the wheel.
Sending your teen driver off for the first time can be difficult, and nenerve-wrackingbut taking the time to prepare now can make that initial trip a bit less scary. From how to behave behind the wheel to the importance of paying their own way, the lessons you teach your teen driver now will serve them well for the rest of their life.
