Before you know it, your child will be reaching the age when driving is allowed. Learning how to drive will certainly be one of their main priorities, and you as the parent will want to help teach them how to drive and be a responsible driver.
So what exactly do you need to know about helping your teen learn to drive? Let’s dive in:
Tire Maintenance
Teach your child how to change a tire and identify a tire in good condition and what worn tires look like. Help them to identify low tire tread and how they can find the size for the right tires for their car. If you live in an area of extreme inclement weather and need to change your tires to match the seasons, explain why you do this and the importance of using the right all-terrain tyres along with winter and summer tires.
Oil Changes
What kind of oil does the car require, how frequently should the oil be changed, and how will she keep track of it? Teach your child how to check the oil level and add more oil as needed and what could happen to your car if this isn’t done correctly.
Cell Phones
Cell phone usage is one of the leading causes of accidents in the US. Impress on your teen how important it is that they do not use their phone to text or call when driving, and they should only use the hands-free set if it is safe to do so. Reducing distractions when driving can help them to be a safer driver.
Alcohol and Drug Driving
Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s ability to react to different situations leading to potentially catastrophic results for them and other people. Many people die each year due to drug or alcohol drivers and making sure they understand what could happen if they drive when intoxicated can help them make better decisions and be better drivers.
Police Stops
There is a lot of publicity around police stops and how things can quickly escalate should your teen not know what to do when they are pulled over. They must follow instructions explicitly and respond to police officers so they know they comply with directions with no resistance to help de-escalate the situation.
Accidents
Walk your teen through the steps of what they should do if they are in an accident. You’ll want to cover things like when to move the car when he should stay in the car or move to safety, who to call, and where to keep the vehicle registration and insurance cards.
Indicator Lights
Is your teen aware of the meaning of the engine sensor lights in your car? Would they notice the tire pressure warning light or the oil pressure warning? Encourage them to read the owner’s manual to learn about the gauges and dashboard indicators.
Other important things your teen needs to know about driving include: how distracting it can be to drive with friends or loud music in the car, how to jump-start a dead battery, how to fix broken tail lights, and much more.
Don’t worry mama, you’ve got this!
