First-Time Driver: How To Help Your Teenager Feel Confident Behind The Wheel
This is a collaborative post
Learning how to drive can be a daunting task for your teenager, so offering your support can help boost their confidence and give them a better chance of passing their test.
Young car drivers aged between 17 and 24 are statistically more likely to be involved a road accident so safety is the main concern when driving. As a parent or guardian, your input goes a long way to making sure they are ready to be out on the road.
Here is everything you need to know about supporting your youngster as a first-time driver and how you can assist them in getting comfortable when driving:
Practice
The old adage goes that practice makes perfect and it couldn’t be more true. Giving your child the option to practice in a safe environment does wonders for their confidence behind the wheel. It also allows them to develop the techniques that they learned outside of their lessons. Getting comfortable on the road is key to soothing any road anxiety and getting familiar with real-life driving scenarios.
Many teens have a story or two about doing stressful driving practice with their parents. To avoid this with your own teenager, planning out a route you’re familiar with and giving clear instructions in good time will help things go smoother. It’s important to make your son or daughter feel at ease and keep a patient demeanour instead of raising your voice or getting stressed.
Revision
The theory part of learning to drive is just as important as the practical, but can be more stressful for some. For learner car drivers between April 2022 and March 2023, the pass rate for driving theory was just 44.2 per cent. In order to give your child the best chance of passing the first time, help them prepare with lots of revision and support.
You can test them with practice questions using one of the many helpful theory test apps available or the DVSA theory test book. Also, pointing out road signs and what they mean when out and about can help them get familiar with road safety.
Paperwork
If you’ve been driving for a while, you’re probably used to all the car admin and paperwork that needs to be done. This is unlikely to be the case with your teenager and it is likely to be very overwhelming for them.
Taking the time to sit down with them to get a car insurance quote for new drivers, and sort out road tax and VC5s can help lessen the stress and help them find the right option for them.
Encourage Safety
Learning how to drive is an exciting time and it’s tempting for your teen to go on road trips and drive friends around when they’ve passed their test.
While it’s important for them to enjoy their newfound freedom, you should instil good safety practices when on the road, especially with other people in the car. Encourage them to hold off on long journeys until they’ve had plenty of experience.