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Skills Your Teen Must Learn

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Some teenagers are very aware of the world around them, and have been watching their parents' driving closely for years by the time they get their learner's permit. Others may sit down in the driver's seat for the first time, take a look around, and ask, "What are these pedals?" Don't worry -- there is hope for both teens. Paradoxically, it may be easier to teach the second teen to drive, because the first one, who is more aware, may approach the task of driving over-confidently. They both have their challenges! But the important thing is to understand your teen's approach to driving (and to life), and structure the time you spend teaching him accordingly.
Experts recommend that teens spend at least 40 hours practicing driving before driving on their own. While they may spend some time behind the wheel in a driver's education course at school, this will probably only total five or six hours. You will need to set aside a lot of time, therefore, to teach your teen. Experienced instructors have found that sessions of 20 to 30 minutes optimize the teen's driving practice and help him to learn the best. As he progresses in his driving, you will be able to complete many of these practice sessions as you are running errands, taking him to activities, etc. But especially at first, you will also need to put in some time in empty parking lots, and then residential areas with little traffic.

The best way to avoid an accident or any other terrifying moments is to progress slowly. There is always some risk involved in advancing your teen to the next level of driving practice, but you can at least make sure that he is driving well in the parking lot before letting him drive in the neighborhood, for example.

Before he starts driving at all, help him to become familiar with the car's controls. By adulthood, driving becomes second nature; which is why parents must work hard to remember that seemingly obvious aspects of driving may not be obvious to non-drivers. Make sure he knows how to turn on the ignition, the headlights, and the windshield wipers, and at least theoretically how to use the blinker, mirrors, and steering wheel. Especially, be certain he knows which is the brake and which is the gas pedal!

The following list includes driving situations in increasing order of difficulty, and can serve as a rough guide for advancing your teen from one level to another.

• Driving in an empty parking lot.
• Driving in a residential area with little traffic.
• Driving on a multilane street with a low speed limit, at a time of day when traffic is very light.
• Driving on a multilane street with a low speed limit when there is more traffic.
• Driving on a busier and faster multilane street -- perhaps with speed limit 45.
• Driving on the freeway, including merging, lane changes, and proper following distance.
• Driving at night.
• Driving in rain, snow, or ice.

Your teen must become competent in the skills appropriate to each stage before moving on to the next. It may help for him to observe you carefully while you drive the route you want him to take when he advances to the next level. Driving conditions are never exactly the same twice, but your teen will definitely learn from observing you as well as from his own behind-the-wheel practice.

Next Page: Becoming a Good Driving Teacher

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