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Your natural inclination as a parent teaching a teenager to drive — at least, at first — might be to tightly grip the armrest or slam your foot down on an imaginary brake. “Getting your kid behind the wheel is a huge responsibility,” says Justin Yoshizawa, Sr. Director, Product Management. “You want to make sure you’ve set them up with a solid foundation so you can trust them to get on the road without you in the not-so-distant future. And, of course, you need them to be able to make good decisions confidently so they can arrive home safely.”
That’s why it’s important to develop safe driving skills that give your teen confidence in the car, all while keeping a cool head yourself. Here’s how to teach a teen to drive so they can eventually transition from the passenger seat to the driver’s side.
Start With Basic Skills in a Low-Risk Environment
Even a teenager that’s ready to get on the road may feel nervous about operating such a powerful vehicle. Start slow so they have a low-stress environment to get comfortable with the car and its handling. Find a large parking lot, like a stadium or a school, and teach them the fundamentals. This allows them time to get a feel for the vehicle. Gradually, as they make progress, move to neighborhood streets or empty office parks before introducing them to higher-traffic situations with more complex driving requirements.
Give Feedback Without Increasing Stress
One of the hardest parts of parenting is remaining calm and regulating your own emotions. Teaching your teen to drive is a learning experience, and they will make mistakes. That’s why communicating clearly and patiently can help them more calmly correct mistakes and limit overwhelming them.
Know When Professional Driving Instruction Can Help
Sometimes, letting the pros teach your teen is the way to go. If your teenager is timid behind the wheel, or if you’re uncomfortable teaching certain skills, a professional driving instructor can lay the foundation for good driving and give your teen more experience in the process.
You can also have your teen test their knowledge with our safe driving tips for teens to see where they may need more practice.
Decide When Your Teen Is Ready to Drive Independently
Your teenager may have completed the required practice hours you set, but just because they turn 16 in a week doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready to drive on their own. Rather than focusing on an age or a specific date to get their license, you’ll want to evaluate their driving skills for consistency and safe decision-making. Getting them on the road and back home safely every time is your No. 1 priority.
Teaching a teen to drive can be as much of a milestone for the parent as it is for the teen. Before they get out on the road, make sure you have the right auto insurance coverage for your family. Mercury offers discounts designed specifically for young drivers, including good student and good driver discounts that can help lower your premium.
Contact Mercury today for a fast, free quote!
Set Driving Rules and Expectations Before You Begin
Before your child ever gets behind the wheel, start conversations about responsibilities and good practices. These could include:
Step 1: Setting Aside a Specific Window of Time to Practice
For instance, have them drive for 30 minutes each morning through neighborhoods and back roads.
Step 2: Establishing Safety Rules
Like buckling the seatbelt before exiting the garage or eliminating music or phone use while in the car.
Step 3: Determining What Exactly They're Responsible For
When getting in the vehicle. That could mean checking all mirrors and tires, adjusting seats, or ensuring the car has enough gas.
Step 4: Setting the Number of Driving Hours
You want them to have before they get their license. Some states have stipulations, but you can create your own based on your teenager’s needs.
Create a Teen Driving Practice Plan
Once they’ve gotten the basics down in a low-risk environment, add a progressive teen driving practice plan to help them build skills across different driving conditions.
Step 1: Work Up to a Mix of Road Types
Including residential streets, highways, and intersections with signals.
Step 2: Vary Traffic Levels
By practicing during off-peak hours, then slowly adding moderate and heavy traffic.
Step 3: Introduce Different Times of Day
Such as early morning, midday, evening, and nighttime driving.
Step 4: Build Confidence in Diverse Weather Conditions
Like light rain, then advance to heavier rain or limited-visibility fog.
Step 5: Revisit and Repeat Scenarios
To reinforce skills while continuing to increase complexity and independence.
Teach Defensive Driving and Hazard Awareness
Even the most attentive drivers are at the mercy of other drivers who share the road with them. What if the car in front of them suddenly stopped, or the weather caused their car to skid? It’s one thing to hear how one should react to these situations, but it’s completely different to experience them first-hand. Teaching defensive driving and awareness now can help once you’re not in the car.
Step 1: Teach Them to Look for Brake Lights Ahead
Cars drifting in their lane, a deer darting into traffic, pedestrians near crosswalks, cyclists, and vehicles turning without signaling.
Step 2: Scan their Surroundings
Make sure they know to scan their surroundings constantly.
Step 3: Keep a Safe Distance
Ensure they know how to keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
Step 4: Practice Approaching Intersections with Caution
Practice approaching intersections with caution, even if they have a green light.
Step 5: Adjust for Conditions
Have them adjust for conditions, such as low-visibility rain or darkness.
Step 6: Improve Braking Skills
Work on their braking skills, and have them identify an “escape” route if they’re unable to brake in an area with sudden stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a teen practice driving?
A teen should practice driving as much as possible, but short, consistent practice sessions can help them build skills and confidence over time.
What should you do if your teen is afraid to drive?
First, you need to reassure your teenager that being afraid to drive is completely normal. Start small, in low-pressure environments, and gradually introduce more challenging situations as they become more comfortable. Adding a professional driving instructor to the mix can also help alleviate some of their concerns.
When should you add a teen driver to your auto insurance?
Contact your insurance provider when your teen receives a learner’s permit. Some insurers require you to add or notify them about permitted drivers right away, while others wait until the teen earns a full driver’s license. Once licensed, a teen who lives in your household will generally need to be added to your policy. Leaving them off could create coverage issues or lead to a denied claim after an accident.
Justin Yoshizawa is Director of Product Management for Mercury Insurance, overseeing California’s personal lines, including auto, homeowners, landlord, and umbrella. He has led major initiatives such as the rollout of the aligned umbrella product across all Mercury territories and serves as a company spokesperson on auto-related topics. Yoshizawa holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Mathematics and Applied Statistics from UC Santa Barbara.
The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations, Social Media and Journalism. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.