Preparing Your Child for Driving
Your child is getting older, and she’s reaching that age where it’s time for her to get behind the wheel. While your child may be counting down the days until she gets her driver’s license, you feel differently. For a parent, this is scary, but also a long time coming. Here’s how you can prepare your child for driving.
Lay Down the Law
Plan ahead. As a parent, you need to enforce and communicate the expectations you have in advance. Create a parent-teen driving contract that illustrates the rules she needs to follow. Go over what will be on her written and physical exams. Be sure to check your city and state regulations on teen driving. Furthermore, explain the consequences if she breaks the law. Some things to address include:
Times of day she can drive
Where she’s allowed to drive
If she can have friends in the car
Whether or not you need to be in the car
What traffic or road conditions are off-limits
No electronic devices while driving
Practice Makes Perfect
Just like any other skill, driving must be practiced. She won’t be able to learn how to do it within minutes. Give her the chance to get behind the wheel as much as possible. Although you’ll be supervising, let her take initiative and be independent so she understands what it takes. She should gain experience on a busy road, driving at night, parking, and everywhere else that gives her the appropriate insight into hitting the gas pedal. Start slow with good lighting and weather, then she can work herself up.
Use a Safe Vehicle
Your child probably assumes that driving is like go-karting and that she will simply press the gas, use the brakes, and stay within the lines. It’s important to let her know having a car is a responsibility. When practicing, choose a vehicle that is reliable and won’t put her or yourself at risk. Show her how her mirrors, seats, gear, and other features should be adjusted. Make sure she understands the cost of gas, insurance, oil changes, and other forms of maintenance.
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