Getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time is so exciting for teenagers. For many young people, it feels like the first step towards adulthood and it represents freedom and independence. But many parents find that it makes them extremely anxious. Driving is dangerous and it’s only natural that you will worry. However, you have to let go at some point and you don’t want to hold your child back, so you need to get used to the idea of them driving on their own. If you are struggling, these simple tips will help to calm your nerves.
Find A Reliable Driving Instructor
The first step is to find a driving instructor for your child, and it’s important that you find somebody you trust. When they start taking driving lessons, you are putting their safety in somebody else’s hands. So, don’t just go for the cheapest instructor you can find, spend some time comparing different driving schools instead. Ask around friends and family and see if they can recommend somebody. You will feel much more relaxed knowing that you can trust the instructor and your child is in good hands. Don’t be afraid to ask the driving instructor to see their qualifications either.
Consider Pass Plus
After they have passed their driving test, you should consider paying for Pass Plus. This is a great training course that gives new drivers experience in areas that are not covered by the standard test, like driving at night and driving on motorways. It is designed to improve driving skills in all situations and make them a more confident driver. It’s only six extra sessions, but it will make you feel a lot more comfortable.
Choose The Right Car
Whether you are buying the car for them or they are paying for it themselves, you should still have a say in what they buy. It’s likely that they will want something fast, but that only makes driving more dangerous for them, not to mention their insurance costs will be through the roof. Encourage them to go for something with less power, which will be safer and cheaper to insure. Make sure that you check the safety features on the car as well, and be prepared to pay more for a car with modern additions, like automatic braking, blind spot monitors, and lane assist. You will be far more relaxed knowing that they are driving a safe car.
Set Guidelines About Driving Activity
As soon as your child passes their test, they will probably have big plans for taking road trips with their friends. But it’s important that you limit their driving activity, to begin with. Even though they have passed, they will not be confident enough to take long trips and they won’t understand the potential dangers involved, like driving while tired etc. For the first few months at least, make sure that they stick to short trips and they don’t have too many passengers in the car because they can easily be distracted.
As a parent, you will always be nervous about your child driving for the first time. But if you follow these steps, you can calm your fears and get used to the idea.
