At some point, a parent is going to find their teenager insisting that they’re ready to begin to learn to drive. It’s certainly important to help foster that and help them develop a skill so crucial to independent adult life, but making sure that they’re ready for the road goes further than teaching them the mechanics of driving. Here’s how to make sure they’re really ready for what life on the road entails.
Lessons Cover More Than How To Drive
Driving lessons are well and good, but if you’re intending to instruct your child yourself, rather than with the help of a trained teacher, you might want to make sure that you’re fully aware of all they should learn. It’s about more than driving a car; it’s about road awareness, hazard perception, and the laws of the road that they need to know.
Ensure They Know Basic Maintenance
Drivers who are able to provide their cars with a little care from home can ensure that their car is able to last a lot longer without needing any extensive repairs. As such, teaching them the basics of checking tyre pressure and tread depth, how to monitor engine oil and coolant levels, and even how to make basic replacements such as brake pads can save them a lot of money. It also encourages them to be more mindful of the components of the car and how their driving techniques can affect their longevity.
Finding A Trustworthy Mechanic
Of course, your child can’t take care of a car entirely alone. Finding reliable mechanics or a garage can ensure that the car receives the care that it needs. Teach them how to look for reliable service providers by looking at reviews, certifications, and checking for things like transparent pricing and car specialisation before they trust them with their car. You might be covering the costs of repairs to begin with, but you want to make sure that they’re savvy customers in the future.
Set Clear Ground Rules And Expectations
Teenagers are often excited to get behind the wheel of their first car and to enjoy the freedom it can afford them. However, you have to establish clear rules that determine their access to that car, such as speed limits, passenger restrictions, mobile phone use, and curfews. Distracted driving is one of the biggest dangers to young drivers, so be sure to nail those lessons into their heads.
The Responsibilities Of Ownership
If your child owns their own car, then they should be responsible for it financially, as well. Teach them to understand ongoing costs like insurance, fuel, road tax, and parking, building a budget for them along the way. If they don’t have their own income, then it might be wise to hold off on buying them a car unless you’re willing to cover those costs yourself.
Life as a driver is a learning journey for all of us, but you want to make sure those lessons aren’t too hard-learned. The guidance above can make sure that you’re doing your best to raise them into safe, responsible drivers.