Safe from the Start
Give your teen the best possible tools to be a great driver! Graduating safe, healthy, and responsible drivers is our number one priority at I DRIVE SAFELY. You'll be acting as your teen's primary driver's education teacher, so we hope these tips help keep everyone safe and happy!
Map it Out
- Decide where you're going to start. Empty parking lots are a great place to build confidence without distraction. When they're ready, move on to safe side streets with little or no traffic.
- Establish which skill(s) you'll be practicing before you get in the car.
- Make sure you both know the exact route you'll be taking before you head out.
Get Set Before You Go
- The passenger side mirror acts as your rear-view mirror, so adjust it to your needs.
- Buckle up and take a deep breath. Think to yourself: "I will be calm. I will be patient. I will not panic. I will not raise my voice."
Heading Down the Road
- Give simple directions far ahead of time so your teen has a chance to process and react to your request.
- Remember your mantra.
- Ask your teen to verbalize what they're experiencing, seeing, planning, etc.
- Watch for signs of stress–for both you and your teen.
- Praise your teen A LOT!
- Don't distract your teen with a lot of talking (unless it's praise).
- If a mistake is made, calmly ask that they pull to the side of the road safely, and then discuss the error. (Everyone makes mistakes.)
Back Home Safe and Sound
- Discuss how you both did. (Let your teen review your performance as well.)
- Give your teen the first shot at pointing out the mistake he/she made.
- More praise for the good things!
- Review what can be improved (in each of your performances).
Final Thoughts
- Teaching your teen to be a safe, smart, responsible driver starts before they get behind the wheel. Conversations about what it means and the skills they'll need should begin long before your teen is ready to drive. Make it as important as any discussion about sex, drugs, or alcohol.
- Download your Parent-Teen Driving Contract and start discussing it now. Detail what your expectations, rules, restrictions and consequences are and be sure EVERYONE agrees and signs.
Teaching Your Teen About Safe Driving
Need some helpful hints and techniques to make the “learning-to-drive process” a whole lot easier – and peaceful?
Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract
Get on the same page with our easy-to-edit Safe Driving Contract. Set expectations and know what both sides want and don't want starts BEFORE your teenager starts driving.
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Give your teen the best driver's education available!
