Learning to drive is a huge life event. I can vividly recall turning sixteen and heading into the big city to take the first test towards freedom. What a rush that was! I could not wait to get my license and I did so in record time. Many of my friends were also learning to drive at the same time, but I must admit that not everyone took it seriously. For some it was just a given that they get that approval to drive, which meant the actual learning aspect was skimmed over. Rules were not paid attention to. This is just one reason it is important to make sure your teen has proper instruction when it is their turn to learn how to drive.
Understandably, for many parents, teaching their teen to drive is not something they particularly look forward to doing. It is not an easy skill to learn, and both parties have to be very patient with each other, which is often difficult. In addition, the fact that so many teenagers have accidents means that parents understandably worry about their children when they are new to driving.
Take the time to drive with them
The good thing about teaching your teenager to drive is that you can make sure that they learn how to do so safely. It also allows you to see what weaknesses, and bad habits they have, which means that you can take the necessary steps to address them.
It is always a good idea to book professional driving lessons for your children, but you should also take the time to get out in the car with them. As well as being able to see how they are progressing, you will be giving them much needed practice. The more they drive, the better, and the safer they will be once they start driving on their own.
Help them to learn the rules of the road
One of the things kids find difficult is learning what the traffic signs mean, and what the rules of the road are. This is the most boring aspect of learning to drive, so many people struggle to do it. Plus, there is actually a lot to learn, and take in. If you are looking for an easy way to teach your children their road signs, the quizzes on www.roadtrafficsigns.com are a particularly good way to do it.
Consider investing in a driving monitor
It is also worth considering having some form of driving monitor fitted to the car that your teenager drives the most. This will help you keep an eye on how they are driving, and will give you facts, and data, which you can use to pick up problems. Some teenagers do not appreciate having a monitor fitted to their car, but these devices have been statistically shown to reduce accidents, so they are really worth investing in. You can find out more about these telematic devices here.
The fact that you can save money on your insurance premiums means that they are actually a good idea for all drivers. Often you can get past any resistance from your teenagers by having them fitted to your own car as well.
Rewarding your teenager when the monitor shows that they have been driving safely is another way to encourage them to drive safely. If you take this approach, they are less likely to be resistant to the idea of having one of these devices fitted to their car. One idea is to have a small sum of money that is awarded to the family member with the best driving scores at the end of each month, a system that works well, and encourages everyone to stay safe. This sort of friendly competition will give your teen the incentive to do well and become a conscientious and responsible driver.
How old were you when you first got your license?
FT&PD
Suz
I have my learners in in my early 20s. Learning to drive now, this is very helpful thanks.
I was in Europe at the time and 18 was the age when you could take your driving test, which I did and passed which was a huge relief. My twin sister failed hers, so then I used to take her out driving but I am not kidding when I say she scared me half to death. She very nearly ran into the back of a car that was standing still to turn, I had to scream for her to brake. After she realised what had happened we pulled over and she didn’t want to drive any more but I was afraid she’d never drive again if I didn’t make her. So she did drive us back home and a year later she got her license.
When our sons got their driver’s license, I became a better driver! I guess after all my years of driving I had become a little careless, our sons gave me a refresher course. Their driving school instruction helped all of us! Financially a GREAT investment.
I am going to check out the quiz on http://www.roadtrafficsigns.com.
I got my license when I was 16. We lived in a rural area so it gave us a little more independence when we could drive.
I was late in life getting my License , but teaching my son to drive was scary lol , i was always grumbling he took a turn going very fast i thought i was gonna lose it lol … after that i got my step dad to teach the boys , i was a nervous wreck 🙂 thanks for the helpful tips !
I got my license at 16 after completing a drivers ed course. My parents didn’t want to pass along their bad driving habits to me. I enjoyed it all except the other student driver in my instructors car was kind of a scary driver.
Awe,another milestone.I never got my licence till i was 25,these are great tips
My daughter was driving around the back roads when she was 14, with me in the car, and when she turned 16 I payed for a trainer for her to make sure everything I taught her was right, she spent an 1 1/2 out driving with the trainer and passed everything, so we knew it was good to set up an appointment for her drive test! I’m glad I spent the money for the trainer though I feel that helped a lot!
I got my license right when I turned 16. I failed the written test twice…took a couple days off and did it again and passed. I passed my G2 and G no problem. My girls still have a way to go to get there but I know their daddy would love to teach them to drive…he probably is better at doing it then me cause I would probably be a wreck haha. Love the idea of the driving monitor. what a fantastic idea!
This is not an easy task and should be accompanied by lessons from a driving school. My three oldest actually mainly learnt to drive at school in MB, it was an extracurricular programme that was offered, back in those days it cost $100 and I’d love it if this could be offered everywhere.
Getting your license is definitely a huge stepping stone in life. It paves the way to becoming a responsible adult.
I got my learners permit when I was sixteen. Failed the road test twice?
I was newly 17 when I got my license. I think a driving monitor is a great idea!
Thanks for the tips, we’ll be there soon with our oldest and it’s so important that he learns how to drive properly and safely!
My husband will be the teacher. I can tell you right now I don’t have the nerves or patience lol
I was 16 when I got my drivers license. And my parents used a driving company to teach me; for my own peace of mind, that is what I will do too. But I have taught them basics and drive with the older one on our rural property.
My kids all took the Driver education program through the school so that helped.
Thanks for the driving tips
Unless you live in a big city I think a driving license is a must – though if you don’t have good nerves and aren’t calm and patient I’d suggest not getting in the car with your teenager whilst they are learning to drive – it does give you grey hairs!
I was a slow learner and got my license at 17. My daughter is long ways from 16 but these are good tips! Thanks for sharing!
I still remember learning how to drive when I was 12 and driving my grandfathers tractor