The joy of the open road!Learning to drive means more freedom for many.In the modern world, driving is almost a necessity, but it can still be risky.It is important that people learn how to drive safely.It is great if you are teaching a beginner how to drive.Ensuring that they are prepared for the road is something you can do.It doesn't have to be very difficult if you follow a few basic principles.
Step 1: Start by explaining the controls at home.
Explain to your beginner driver how to shift into gear.Show them how to use the controls.Check tire pressure, check oil levels, and top up windscreen washers as well as basic maintenance info.Allow them to ask you questions and take some time to explain.The drivers' handbook should be reviewed with the owner's manual.You may not know how many controls are in your vehicle.A new driver may not know how to turn on hazard lights.
Step 2: Talk about how important it is to check your mirrors.
Show your student how to adjust the mirrors while you sit in the parked vehicle.It is very important that you check your mirrors before you change lanes.Going over these ideas before your driver gets behind the wheel will help reinforce them.
Step 3: Show them how to place their hands on the wheel.
Set a good example by keeping both of your hands on the wheel.Your student will watch as you do.The old 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the wheel don't allow for as much control and turning ability as the other two positions.
Step 4: Explain what you are doing as you drive with your student.
Good driving behavior can be modeled by driving with your student.Explain the traffic laws to your student so they can understand them.Your student will see the right way to follow the driving laws if you demonstrate them yourself.As you approach a light, you could say, "So the light just turned red, which means we have to stop until it's green, so I will put my turn signal on so everyone knows I'm going to turn."
Step 5: Explain what the signs, lights, and street markings mean to you.
As you drive your student around, look for speed limit signs, stop signs and different street signs.Talk about what a good driver needs to do in order to obey them.You could say, "Okay, see how the speed limit is changing?"We have to keep an eye out for school buses and kids because of the school zone sign.
Step 6: Don't let your student get distracted and stay focused.
Talk about how important it is to keep an eye on the road.It is enough time to cause an accident if you look away for more than 2 seconds.Discuss the importance of avoiding distraction and putting away your phone so you aren't tempted to text or respond to messages.Let your student know if they need to make a call or send a message.Pull over safe when you do it.
Step 7: Help your student learn the rules with a web-based driving program.
TeenDrivingPlan and State Farm's Road Trips offer instructional videos, practice scenarios, and other educational tools.Have your student driver try out the program for a safe way to learn and practice driving as well as become more familiar with the rules of the road before they even get behind the wheel.The TeenDrivingPlan can be found at: https://www.teendriversource.org/advocacy-education/educate-with-teendrivingplan.You can use some insurance companies' web-based programs for free.If your company has a website, you can use it.
Step 8: Help your student get a permit.
Your student will need a permit in order to practice driving on public roads.Sign them up for a driver's education course and review the rules of the road with them to help them prepare.Allow them to take the test at your local motor vehicle's office and earn their permit.Your student can legally drive with an adult in the car if they have a permit.If you have to keep a log of driving practice hours, keep it.
Step 9: Each lesson takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Your new driver is more likely to retain everything you've learned if you stick to 3-4 short lessons a week.30-minute practice sessions can help prevent you from overloading them with too much information.If you want your student driver to get better, try to do it more often.
Step 10: You can use your driveway to practice backing out.
Your student driver should be behind the wheel when your vehicle is parked in the driveway.Get them to put on their seatbelt.Make sure they check their mirrors and look behind them so they can practice driving in reverse and backing out of the driveway.They can practice driving back into the driveway.
Step 11: To practice, choose a road with a traffic light.
Tell them to slow down if the light turns yellow.They need to stop until the light changes to green.Explain to them that they can drive through the intersection if the light changes to yellow.
Step 12: Allow your student to get comfortable behind the wheel and take it slow.
The student driver needs to stick to the speed limit.It will allow them to maintain control of the vehicle and get used to driving.As they get more comfortable, driving slow will build up their confidence.
Step 13: The student should drive on the right side of the road.
If the rules of the road dictate that your vehicle should be in the left or right lane, make sure your student sticks to the correct side.Staying within the lane as they drive will help them develop good driving habits.They can move into the other lane if they need to pass a vehicle, but they should stay in the right lane.
Step 14: When they plan to turn or change lanes, tell them to use their turn signal.
Your student should always use their turn signal.As they approach a turn, gently remind them.Mention it to them if you see them forget to put on their signal.They will get better at remembering to do it eventually.If they are stopped at a red light, you can force them to make a right turn.Make sure they use their turn signal.If a vehicle in front of you has a turn signal on, tell your student driver that they need to slow down and stop when the vehicle turns.
Step 15: In the parking lot, drive in circles.
It can be difficult to learn to use empty parking lots for turns.Your student driver should be taught how to turn the wheel.Practice turning and parking with parking spots as targets.It can be difficult to learn to turn as a new driver.The stress of your student driver can be alleviated by using an empty parking lot.
Step 16: As your student improves, drive harder.
Get your student driver used to handling a vehicle on the road by starting on quiet streets.As they get better at driving, move onto the streets.Eventually, they will be able to drive at higher speeds if they get onto a highway.Make sure to check in with your student to make sure they are comfortable moving onto a more challenging driving scenario.Don't push them too hard if they're not ready.
Step 17: Practice merging on highways and turning into oncoming traffic.
Accidents can be caused by making left turns into oncoming traffic.Wait until the road is clear before your student driver makes a turn.Merging into a busy highway can be difficult.Get your driver to put on their turn signal.
Step 18: Change lanes on a highway with your student.
Students can practice switch lanes by putting on their turn signal.Tell them they can change lanes if the lane is clear.They can turn off their turn signal once they are in the new lane.Explain that if a vehicle is driving slowly in front of them, they can pass them by changing lanes and putting on a turn signal.
Step 19: You can have your student practice parallel parking by setting up 2 cones.
Use a parking lot or an empty road to place plastic cones around the length of your vehicle.Allow your student driver to take their time and try as many times as they need to in order to learn parallel parking.
Step 20: Students are used to the feeling if you have them practice quick stops.
Ask them to drive about 5 mph and then step on the brakes to stop.It is important for new drivers to know what to expect if they have to make a quick stop while they are out on the road.
Step 21: As your student practices, be patient.
The student driver is going to make some mistakes.Correcting them without anger could ruin their confidence.They can learn and improve from every mistake they make.If your student driver forgets to use their turn signal or check their mirrors, you can say something like, "Okay,you're forgetting something."Do you know what it is?
Step 22: Whenever your student makes a mistake, keep a cool head.
You don't want to get your student flustered when they make mistakes, because driving can be frightening for them.Correct them and tell them that it will be okay so they don't feel overwhelmed.Say something like, "It's okay, don't let it get to you" if your student forgets to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.Stay calm and concentrate on driving.
Step 23: Praise your student when they do well.
You have to tell your student when they do something right.Help build them into more confident drivers by telling them that they are doing a great job.If they use their turn signal without you reminding them, you can say something like, "Nice job with the signal, great work."
Step 24: They can learn to recognize dangers by pointing them out.
If your student driver is taught to keep an eye out for dangers, they will be better equipped to avoid them.If you notice road hazard, bring it to their attention and explain what they should do.If you see an obstruction in the road or a large hole, identify it to your student driver.You could ask, "Do you see that in the road?"They need to turn on their headlights if it is raining or nighttime.If it rains, they need to switch on their wipers.