Learning how to drive a car is a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness for most teenagers out there, and being a dad is a big job. Not only do parents have the responsibility to keep their teens safe and build their driving confidence, but you also get to be their teacher during the exciting journey of learning to drive.
From teaching them important road sign knowledge to demonstrating the importance of leaving a safe distance between cars, you’ll be their biggest source of support – and not to mention, your teen will feel more confident when they have you sitting right next to them in the driver’s seat!
So, here, we’ve curated a list of top tips for dads to teach their teens driving skills and help them become responsible drivers. So, let’s get into it:
Get Their Admission to a Driving School
A lot of dads are a bit unsure about sending their teens to driving school because they want to be the ones to teach their kids and make sure they’re safe on the road.
But getting your teen admitted to a driving school is a great way to teach them defensive driving skills. They offer both on the road lessons and classroom sessions to teach the right skills you might not be able to teach as a parent. So, it’s always better to enroll your child in a driving education program.
When searching for a driver’s education program for your child, it’s really important to make sure that safety is their number one concern and that their instructors are experienced. This way, you can feel confident that your child is getting the best possible driving instruction and is in good hands.
Make Them Prepared About Uncertain Situations
Teaching driving skills to your teen isn’t only about covering basic rules like obeying the laws, wearing a seatbelt, and refraining from using cell phones. You should also teach your teen about what to do in uncertain situations while driving, particularly road accidents.
For example, you can make them understand what a car crash claims attorney does, especially if the accident is due to someone else’s negligence. Tell them how a lawyer can help them understand the legal process and get compensation for any losses or damages.
Moreover, teach them about some common driving situations, like sudden tire blowouts, unexpected heavy rainfall, or encountering aggressive drivers. Teach them how to respond to such situations calmly and effectively, such as pulling over safely or not engaging with aggressive drivers.
By preparing your teen for unexpected road situations, you can boost their confidence to make wise decisions even when facing the unforeseen.
Give Feedback On Their Driving Skills
Providing regular feedback plays a crucial role in teaching your teen defensive driving skills. Feedback doesn’t only mean complaining about certain things; you can also praise them when they excel in driving.
However, even if you’re complaining about something, make sure it encourages improvement rather than demotivating them. Here, the tone in which you communicate matters a lot.
Also, you can discuss some specific instances where better decisions could have been made and explain the reasons behind your suggestions.
Gradually Expose Them to Varied Driving Conditions
It’s a great idea to expose your teenager to different types of roads once they have a good understanding of the basics of driving.
You can start in a quiet residential area before progressing to busy streets, highways, adverse weather conditions, etc. Moreover, advise your teen on tackling heavy traffic, lane changes, and complex intersections.
By gradually exposing your child to certain road conditions, you can help them build confidence while learning to adapt to different situations, all under your guidance.
Let Them Observe You How to Drive
You’ll agree that children learn a lot of things from their parents – and driving is no exception. When you drive through diverse road conditions or take maneuvers, it’s time to let them try on their own.
However, make sure to drive in the way in which you want your child to drive, no matter the road or weather conditions. What’s more, encourage your child to drive daily on different road conditions to boost confidence and get familiar with the roads.
Be Calm
Finally, it is important to stay calm at all times. Remember, your child is a beginner, and think back to when you were in the same position as they are today.
Try not to be rude or impatient with them, as it can demotivate them. In short, don’t do anything that can affect their mood and performance.
Final Thoughts
The role of the father in teaching driving skills to the child goes beyond teaching how to steer and brake. It’s all about learning defensive driving together and boosting the child’s confidence so that they can make informed decisions while driving.
To sum it up, these tips can be really helpful in supporting your teenager in building the self-assurance and skills required to drive safely and confidently. Good luck!
It was so vital to see my dad set a good example in his driving when I was growing up. I hope that my neices and nephews drive well because my sister doesn’t have good driving habits.
Why doesn’t your sister have good driving habits? Did she not listen to your dad?