Most states require a licensed driver or parent to ride passenger with their student driver for a certain number of hours. This helps the student to get practice on the road with some responsible supervision. If you are a parent, you will spend many of these hours in the car with your student, so here is a little survival guide for you.
1. Start out slow
The last thing you want to do for your new driver is to scare them (or you as the parent) too much. Even if your driver feels ready to jump right into busy roads, it’s not a good idea. Start working on basics in a parking lot and move to neighborhood streets. After a bit of practice, try moving to slightly busier roads. Stick to familiar roads for the both of you. That way, you can know what to expect. As your teenager becomes more experienced, move to busy roads and eventually the freeway.2. Practice commentary driving
When you are out driving together, have your teen explain what they see. Some examples might be:- “We are approaching a stop light that is turning yellow, I’m preparing to stop”
- “a child on a bike is coming up to the crosswalk, I’m going to slow down”
- “The car in front of me is braking, I’m slowing down”