It is indeed challenging to teach a teenager to drive, especially so if you are a parent teaching your own child. It could be a surge of different mixed emotions. There is that overwhelming realization that your child is all grown up and ready to take on the wheels and, of course, there’s concern about your teen’s safety. Despite these emotions, you know you have to do the right thing so make it a memorable experience for you and your teen.

Here are tips you can use to start teaching your child his first driving lessons

Educate your child on the basics of driving

Every parent’s first step is to discuss with your child the entire process of learning how to drive, and, of course, the responsibilities that come with it. As the driving coach, you should refresh yourself on the basic rules of the road too. Even with years of driving, there are certainly road rules that have been changed or modified. Also, Make sure your car insurance is up to date and ensures your teenager in the course of learning to drive.

Familiarize your teen to the car (parts)

Take time to seat with your child in the car. Let him/her take the driver’s seat. Show where the lights, the wipers, indicators, gears, accelerator, brakes, and etc. Explain how the gears work and how to start the car in the right way. You also would want to discuss how to adjust the seat and the mirrors, how to check blind spots, basic car maintenance which includes checking the tires, and filling up for fuel.

Enroll your child to a driving school (optional but important)

Experts in driving and driving safety recommend that a prospective young adult driver must have at least three lessons with a driving instructor before being accompanied by an adult on the road. Consult with professional driving instructors from the best NY defensive driving school. Check out the link.

Classes with professionals will provide them with basic knowledge and provide you with some comfort while sitting in the passenger seat. Professionals can also be a handy help to parents who hardly have time to do 120 hours of monitored driving. It is recommended that your child take classes for at least three lessons before taking the driving test.

Teach your teen one step at a time, slow but steady

It is crazy to guide learners to the highway in their first class. You can begin on an empty parking lot or a spacious open area to help your teen learn how the car works. Take time to practice turning, reversing, braking, and parking. For teens learning to drive manual cars, ask them to open the windows so that they can easily hear the speed change.

When your child gets used to the car, on Sundays, head to a quiet suburban road or industrial park for practice driving. Eventually, you can guide your child to venture in other locations and slowly introduce your teen to more traffic.

Keep your cool, stay calm, and be clear when teaching your child

It is difficult to give up car control to someone with little driving knowledge. Screaming at the child, squeezing the door handle as if it were up to life, or pressing the virtual brake hard will not give your young teen the confidence he/she needs. In fact, this approach can lead the child to be scared. So you would rather give clear instructions than screaming at the child while on a practice drive.

Compliment good performance and right judgment

Let them have enough time to respond to instructions. Speak and a clear and calm tone. Remember, your teenagers will be very busy, just focus on the power of moving cars, they will not worry about danger. You need to be vigilant and get their attention. Compliment their good performance and also their right judgment.