Parent Advice; Tips for Helping Your Teen Learn to Drive

Most parents shudder and squirm, when their teen asks permission to learn to drive the car. The State of Illinois requires that parents spend time in the vehicle with their teen, while the teen has their learning permit. Parents know that they have a responsibility to help guide their teens through this learning process. This article provides some helpful suggestions to assist the parent with this process.

Know the Law
Every State is different in how teens acquire their license. Parents should read their States Rules of the Road Book. A parent can even question their teen, to see if they know and understand the rules. You can usually pick up this book or guide at your local States Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Driving Pre- Check
Before you even leave the driveway, have your teen check the following.
Mirror and seat adjustment.
Familiarity of the controls. They should know where everything is located.
Buckle up (everyone in the vehicle).
Have them take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Practice just starting the vehicle.
Release the Safety Brake. Hands in the 10 and 2 o'clock position on the steering wheel.
Signal to pull out, even if there is no traffic around. (Use both mirrors).
Pull out slowly.

Practicing to Drive
Here are some great places to practice. School or church parking lots, shopping malls after they close, 2 lane country roads, slow traffic sub divisions and farmers fields. Many farmers fields have roads that go through or around them. The less other moving vehicles around you, the better off you will be.

Use Cones for Parallel Parking
Set up these cones with broom sticks in them.
You can tie a flag to the top of the broom stick. You can use 2 or 4 to mark the area along the curb for the parking practice.
Try to use a vacant street.

First Attempt
The first time your teen gets behind the wheel, have them practice going forward and then backing up. (Thirty Yards is good enough for this drill.)
Next, practice all left turns. Be sure they always signal. Repeat this until they get it down.
Do the same with right turns.

Traffic Attempts
The day will come, when they are ready to go into traffic. Some teens will be ready sooner than others. Do not rush your teen. Let them decide when they are ready. Remember, you can always go back to the beginning stages if necessary.

Don't Scream and Yell
Even though you are a nervous parent, remain calm. Always give directions at least ten seconds in advance. If you want your teen to make a left turn, tell them to signal for a left turn and then let them execute the maneuver. Do not wait till you get to the intersection and then tell them. In most cases, they will be in the wrong lane.

A Little at a Time
Your teens muscles will tense up. The adrenalin is flowing. Start with just 3 to 4 minutes of driving the first few times. You can then increase it to 10 minutes. Never go over 20 minutes per trip.

Reflections
After the lesson is over, review what they did well and what still needs work. Write these down and place them in the glove compartment for review the next time.

No Distractions
Leave the cellphones at home. No radio the first few times. Limit your passengers to yourself and the teen.

This can be a great period for bonding with your teen, if you handle it correctly.