By Charlotte Gerber
Your teenager comes home and tells you they are ready to take a teen driver ed course. Are you ready? Here are some tips to help you and your teen get ready for this rite of passage!
Teen driver ed is not much different than when you took it in high school. There may not be the old "death on the highway" shock films being shown but studying the rules of the road is still the same.
Typically, your teen will have to register for a teen driver ed course at school and obtain a permission slip from you. They will also have to get a driver's permit before they can begin driving a vehicle at school during their class. This is where you come in. Prepare your child for taking the learner's permit exam by picking up a rules of the road guide for your state at your local department of motor vehicles. Help your teen study the rules by quizzing them for at least a week before they take the test. If they are prepared for the test they'll be more relaxed when they take it. No teen wants to be embarrassed and have to retake the permit test.
For most parents, the nerve-racking period will begin after their teen has the permit in hand. Teens are usually very eager to try out their driving skills and to drive their parent's car. To prepare yourself for this eventuality, begin by contacting your car insurance agent. Make sure that your vehicles are covered with your teen driving them. Next, lay some ground rules for your teen. In most states, teens cannot drive a vehicle alone unless they have a licensed adult in the vehicle with them. Clearly state which adults have to be in the car with your teen while they drive. This will eliminate arguing later when an older teen friend with a license volunteers to be the responsible adult.
Teen driver ed classes typically last a semester, giving you at least 12 to 15 weeks to help your teen prepare for their driving exam. In most states this means that your child will not only have to have a certain number of hours that they need to practice driving during daytime, but several hours at night as well. Obviously, parents will have to help their teen with this particular requirement as most teen driver ed courses don't offer nighttime driving. The best time to practice driving at night is after 7PM, Monday through Thursday, and after 8PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Avoid practicing driving during rush hours when your teen is just starting to drive.
It is also possible to help your teen prepare for their exam by following the driving route they will take during their test. Your teen probably knows the route as their driving instructor will undoubtedly have them practicing along it. Once your teen is ready for their exam, either their driving instructor will take them to it or you will have to transport them. The night before their exam make sure that they get plenty of sleep and a good breakfast the following morning. This can help alleviate the anxiety that goes along with this particular exam.
Assuming all goes well, your teen will be given their first driver's license after their test. This is a great day for your teen and a perfect time for you to bond with them. Celebrate their achievement with a day or evening out and allow them to be the driver if they choose. It is also a perfect time to discuss the house rules regarding the use of the family car.
While this time can be very stressful for teens and their families, try to take a deep breath and relax. Teens can't help but grow up and learning to drive is just a small part of it. Since they don't want to disappoint you, they will likely be careful with the family car while driving it. With a little time and practice your teen will become a careful driver, just like you!
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Texas has a parent taught course that is just terrific. I am beginning now to teach my third and last one. It cost under $30. I believe that my children are better drivers because they were allowed to drive more, were supervised better, and were given all the patience and time they needed to learn what is most important about driving: being a good defensive driver.
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