How to support teenagers who are learning to drive
Learning to drive is a milestone that most teenagers look forward to. In fact, a common gift for a seventeenth birthday is driving lessons or car-related items. But it is not always smooth sailing once those lessons start.
Like learning any new skill, teenagers can struggle to grasp the basics or to battle their nerves. As a trusted person in their lives, knowing how to support them can be tough. Here are some tips to help you do so.
Set a good example
Children of all ages are little sponges, soaking up everything they see and hear constantly. They will inevitably watch you in the car, especially when they are learning to drive themselves. If you bear this in mind and try to set a good example, your teenagers will likely follow your lead.
Private lessons
If your teenager is nervous about learning to drive, having some private lessons with you can help ease that worry. Take them somewhere quiet where there are fewer cars and go over some basic manoeuvres with them. You may consider a quiet car park after hours to help them practise their bay parking skills – but remember to check any restrictions beforehand.
Remember to ensure your new driver is experienced in different weather conditions. The British weather can change so quickly so drivers must know how to adjust their driving to keep safe. Tricky conditions such as snow require a different skill set than sunshine.
Maintain the car
Part of learning to drive is learning how to look after a car. Basic maintenance tasks such as filling up with petrol, checking the air pressure in your tyres and knowing the dashboard warning lights may be second nature to you, but they aren’t to a new driver.
Whenever you perform one of these tasks, make sure your teenager is watching and possibly even let them have a go themselves.
Keep calm
Teaching someone to drive is a hard task which is why there are professionals to do it for you! However, if you do take your teenager out for a lesson, try and keep calm. If they do make a mistake try not to shout or panic as it will only make them do the same.
It may help to remind yourself that you were a new driver once and you made mistakes in the same way that they will.
Look at insurance options
Insurance is a legal requirement for learner drivers and those who have passed their test alike. With the cost of everything a lot higher at the moment, look into purchasing multi-car insurance to keep the whole family safe at a reasonable price.
Study together
Regularly reminding yourself of the Highway Code is not a bad thing, so to make studying it fun join in with your teenager. You could test each other and do practice theory tests together. As well as a bonding experience, you can be sure they are learning how to drive safely.
There are many things you can do to support your teenager learning to drive, so remember to keep calm, ask them what they need to be supported and help to calm their nerves.
