Instilling Good Driving Skills In Your Teen

To a teenager, getting a driver's license is a monumental achievement. Although you as a parent want your teen to be as independent as possible, you must teach them good driving skills before they go out on their own. How do you instill those good skills in your teen driver?

Set a Good Example for Your Teen Driver

It can be difficult to get a teenager to obey the speed limit and adhere to other best practices while on the road. However, it is even more difficult to get your teen to drive properly if you don't drive properly yourself. You should observe the speed limit, always use your turn signal and stay calm during times of bad weather or heavy traffic.

Make Sure Your Teen Masters Appropriate Skills

Before your teen applies for a drivers license, he or she should be able to drive in inclement weather, drive on the highway and show good technique at all times behind the wheel. Until your teen can drive in a focused and disciplined manner, he or she is not ready to drive without an adult in the car. To further confirm that your teen is ready for a driver's license, a free DMV practice test can be accessed online, which will assess their knowledge of road signs and other laws.

Be Calm Whenever You Are in the Car With Your Teen

A good driver is a confident driver. While you may think that you are doing the right thing by pointing out your teen's mistakes or slamming on an imaginary brake, you could be destroying your teen's confidence. If the car gets a flat tire or stops running, take the time to teach your child what went wrong and how to fix it. As a parent, it is important that you teach your kids the right way to drive a car. This means being a good example yourself behind the wheel, making sure that your teen gets enough practice time and always being supportive when your child is driving. If you can follow these rules, your teen driver will have a better chance of developing the skills and confidence to be a great driver.