How to Support Your Child When They Learn to Drive

New York, N.Y. Parents of young adults eventually have to face supporting their child through learning to drive and passing their driving test. Although many parents worry about their teen being on the road, it’s good to know that they’re becoming independent and no longer have to rely on mum or dad’s taxi to get them from A to B. If your child has just gotten their provisional driving license and you’re planning to get them some driving lessons, here’s what you can do to help make sure that they have the best learning experience and are on the road in no time at all.

Student driver adjusts rear-view mirror. Photo: State Farm Insurance.

Teach Them Yourself

As well as having lessons with a qualified and experienced driving instructor, you can also take your son or daughter out in your own car for some extra driving learning and practice. So long as you have held your license for more than three years and ensure that your child is provisionally insured on your car, you can give them driving lessons yourself alongside the ones that they’re having with a professional. This can be really beneficial to young drivers who are learning – it not only gives them the chance to get a lot of practice in, it’s also helpful for learning to drive different cars and getting used to a wider range of roads. Just don’t forget to display ‘L’ plates on the car and stay off motorways!

The Theory Test

Many learner drivers worry more about the theory test than they do about the actual practical driving test. However, with the right amount of practice and revision, the theory test isn’t quite as daunting as it might first sound. To give your son or daughter the best support and help when it comes to preparing for the theory test there are a number of practice and revision items that you can direct them to or even purchase for them yourself. These include a smartphone or tablet app bundle which includes all of the questions that you’d find on the test and a range of practice hazard perception videos, a learning book and a CD-Rom that they can use. It might also help if you work with them to test their knowledge – this can help to build their confidence and better prepare them for the test. Check this site out for a number of really helpful theory test practice questions.

If they Don’t Pass First Time

It’s not uncommon for learner drivers to fail their driving test the first time that they take it. If your son or daughter isn’t lucky enough to pass first time, it’s important that you give them support and let them know that they’re definitely not the only one to fail on the first try. If you didn’t pass first time either, sharing some funny stories with them about your attempts might help to put their mind at rest! A lack of confidence, nerves and pressure can all get in the way when taking a driving test – so make sure that your child knows that there’s no pressure on them to pass and they can always try again.

Share your best tips for parents of learner drivers in the comments below!

Tweet