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Teaching your teen how to drive is a monumental milestone, and while professional driving lessons are essential, your role as a parent goes beyond just being a passenger. Though professional instructors provide invaluable lessons, there’s a lot you can do as a parent to complement those teachings and help your teen become a confident, safe driver.
So, what can you do to make the journey smoother for your teen? Here are a few practical tips.
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Practical tip to helping your teen get their driving licence
Let Them Drive as Much as Possible
One of the best things you can do is to give your teen plenty of driving practice. A learner driver needs to get comfortable behind the wheel, and the only way to do that is by driving as much as possible. However, make sure your car is in good condition before they head out for practice. A faulty clutch or unreliable automatic gearbox can be frustrating for any driver, especially a learner.
Let them experience different driving conditions such as city traffic, rural roads, and dual carriageways. The more exposure they get, the more confident and prepared they’ll be for their driving test.
Teach Them How to Park
One of the most intimidating aspects of driving for many new drivers is parking. Whether it’s parallel parking between two cars on a busy street or squeezing into a tight spot in a city centre, parking can cause stress for even experienced drivers. Unfortunately, many drivers struggle with parking simply because they haven’t practised enough, or they avoid challenging parking situations altogether.
Take the time to show your teen the ropes when it comes to parking. Practice truly makes perfect, and this is one area where regular repetition will build the confidence they need to park like a pro later in life.
Show Them How to Look After a Car
By teaching your teen the basics of car maintenance, you’re helping them develop a sense of responsibility that will serve them well when they eventually own a car of their own.
Start with simple tasks like checking and changing the oil, topping up windscreen washer fluid, and making sure the tyres are at the correct pressure. If you know how to change a tyre, teach them that too. Don’t forget to show them how to refuel or recharge the car if you have an electric vehicle, and how to jump-start a dead battery.
It’s reassuring to know that if they break down or run into car trouble, they have the know-how to handle the situation without relying on others.
Final thoughts
Helping your teen get their driving licence is more than just sending them off for professional lessons. It’s about supporting them as they gain real-world experience, both behind the wheel and in caring for a vehicle. The more time you spend reinforcing these lessons – whether it’s through practising driving, honing their parking skills, or teaching them car maintenance – the more confident and capable they’ll become.
In the end, you’ll not only help them pass their driving test but also set them up with lifelong skills that will make them safer and more responsible drivers. So, encourage them to practise as much as possible, give them the tools to handle parking challenges, and teach them the basics of car care.
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