How to Teach a Teen How to Drive | Gerry Lane Buick GMC
Once your teen has a permit and it’s time to teach them how to drive, you want to make sure they learn the right way. This includes not only adhering to all of the laws of the road but also showing them how to drive in various conditions. At Gerry Lane Buick GMC, we have a few tips to make it easier to teach.
Review the Rules of the Road
Your teen should already know the rules of the road if they have their permit in hand. However, it’s always a good idea to review the basics. Go over such things as following distance, posted speed limits, and how and when to turn.
Demonstrate the Basics of the Vehicle
A teen must understand the basics of the vehicle that they’ll be driving in. Take the time to review where all of the different controls and features are. Show them how to adjust the mirrors, where the turn signals are, and what is shown in the dashboard.
Let your teen know what might be unique about the vehicle, such as how the parking brake needs to be turned off when the vehicle starts up or that certain warning indicator lights need to be addressed. By preparing them for any issues, it ensures they’re not taken by surprise.
Let your teen know what might be unique about the vehicle, such as how the parking brake needs to be turned off when the vehicle starts up or that certain warning indicator lights need to be addressed. By preparing them for any issues, it ensures they’re not taken by surprise.
Get Comfortable Behind the Wheel
Allow the teen driver to get comfortable behind the wheel. This includes:
Plan a basic trip from point A to point B. It might take a few times to make it happen as they learn more about getting the feel for turning the wheel, hitting the gas, and applying the brakes.
- Adjusting the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel
- Scan for hazards
- Check mirrors
Plan a basic trip from point A to point B. It might take a few times to make it happen as they learn more about getting the feel for turning the wheel, hitting the gas, and applying the brakes.
Even before you try to navigate to a location, you might want to take them to a deserted parking lot so they can simply move around in circles.
Start in Low Traffic, Low-Speed Areas
Your teen should start to feel comfortable behind the wheel and operating the car in the most basic situations. Now, you want to ease them into some of the low traffic and low-speed areas within your neighborhood. This will allow them to practice staying on their side of the road and sharing the road with other cars.
In residential areas, they can navigate around parked cars as well as anticipate people backing out of their driveways.
In commercial areas, you can introduce them to more cars on the road, traffic lights, and braking for pedestrians.
Some of the basic skills they need to learn include:
To ensure that your teen driver gets first-hand experience with all of the basic skills, you may need to take them to a few different areas. It will ensure that they have a chance to try it all out before they’re licensed and trying it solo.
In residential areas, they can navigate around parked cars as well as anticipate people backing out of their driveways.
In commercial areas, you can introduce them to more cars on the road, traffic lights, and braking for pedestrians.
Some of the basic skills they need to learn include:
- Turning and using signals
- Accelerating and braking
- Approaching intersections
- Determining right of way
- Changing lanes and passing
- Maintaining a safe distance
- Reacting to an emergency vehicle
- Sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists, and large trucks
To ensure that your teen driver gets first-hand experience with all of the basic skills, you may need to take them to a few different areas. It will ensure that they have a chance to try it all out before they’re licensed and trying it solo.
Build Up to More Challenges
Once your teen driver is more comfortable behind the wheel, you will want to expose them to more challenging conditions. This includes driving in the rain, at night, and in busier areas. Have them go onto the freeways and navigate some of the various exits and overpasses. Have them pass a vehicle. Ensure they navigate the busier streets and even have them parallel park.
The vehicle your teen drives, once they are licensed, will matter, too. At Gerry Lane Buick GMC, we can introduce you to some models with the latest driver-assist technology. Additionally, some vehicles can even provide a driver report card thanks to teen technology. It will ensure you know how many times the safety sensors have gone off and what their top speed was. When you’re ready to learn more about safe cars for your teen, make an appointment or stop in today.
As you challenge them, always exhibit patience. You don’t want to start yelling at them as it can destroy their confidence and cause them to get into an accident. Remember, too, that they need to build up to these challenges over time.
The vehicle your teen drives, once they are licensed, will matter, too. At Gerry Lane Buick GMC, we can introduce you to some models with the latest driver-assist technology. Additionally, some vehicles can even provide a driver report card thanks to teen technology. It will ensure you know how many times the safety sensors have gone off and what their top speed was. When you’re ready to learn more about safe cars for your teen, make an appointment or stop in today.