How to Help Teach Your Child to Drive
When you’re a parent to a teenager, life can seem to move very quickly. Not so long ago, you were taking them shopping for their first school uniform; now, they’re faced with the prospect of getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time.
While this can seem a startling idea, it’s worth confronting head-on. Being able to drive will make a huge difference to their prospects professionally, as well as providing personal convenience and fulfillment.
So, how can you support them through the process of learning? There are a few steps worth considering.
Look for a driving instructor Demand for instructors is high, thanks to a backlog that’s still left over from the Covid-19 pandemic. Teaching people to drive requires patience, local knowledge, and a host of minor technical skills that many of us don’t appreciate until we try to do the job ourselves.
You must vet any would-be hires thoroughly. Seek recommendations from friends, and check out reviews on Google and other online services. You should also pay attention to your child’s opinion: sometimes, the match isn’t a good one, and it pays to move on to a different instructor sooner rather than later.
Offer private practice
Lessons should be supplemented by regular practice. Being taught the same thing over and over again isn’t cost-efficient. Your child will need to set aside some time to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Sessions on Sunday mornings are usually very valuable since the roads tend to be quieter. But you might also want to hold sessions throughout the week, just to give them a chance to experience different traffic, lighting, and weather conditions.
To take your child for a practice session, you’ll need to have held a full UK driving license for at least three years. You’ll also need to have an L plate visibly displayed on the rear of the vehicle. Learner insurance can also be invaluable, as it will offer temporary cover in an unfamiliar car.
Get the theory test out of the way
Passing a theory test is an essential prerequisite for passing the practical. They won’t be able to attempt the latter without completing the former.
Theory tests come in two sections. There’s the multiple-choice section, which quizzes candidates on a range of road-based questions. Then there’s the hazard perception section, where candidates must watch a vehicle in motion, and spot things that could potentially cause a collision.
Preparing your child for the test means building up a solid base of knowledge. You can support them with this by quizzing them regularly. You can also find mock hazard perception tests online.
Be supportive and encouraging
Learning to drive involves a lot of work. It can often be stressful – after all, you’re trying to master a complex new set of skills, and the cost of failure can often be very high. To counteract this pressure, you might provide moral support and comfort. Help them to recover from setbacks, and give them a little bit of pressure where you think pressure is appropriate.
*This is a collaborative post
