Driving for teens
- Apr 16, 2024
- 1 min read
Before Starting:
Ensure your teen is knowledgeable and comfortable with the vehicle and its controls.
Review current driving rules and regulations.
Vehicle Tour:
Teach basic adjustments: seat, side and rearview mirrors, steering wheel.
Familiarize with dashboard controls, headlights, safety features, wipers, and emergency lights.
Show where essential documents like registration, insurance, and manual are located.
Getting a Feel for the Vehicle:
Start in simple locations like empty parking lots.
Practice basic maneuvers: gas and brakes, driving straight, turning, and backing up.
Emphasize scanning surroundings, checking mirrors, and maintaining a "safety space" around the car.
Low-Speed, Low-Traffic Practice:
Move to quiet streets to practice staying on one side of the road, anticipating cars, and stopping at signs.
Focus on beginner skills: turns, braking, accelerating, right of way, and hazard scanning.
Driving on Highways:
Start with quieter times to practice merging, lane discipline, and higher speeds.
Prepare for highway driving: longer stopping distances, checking blind spots, driving near large trucks, and reading signs.
Advanced Skills Checklist:
Master high-speed, high-traffic conditions: merging, road signs, toll booths, passing, maintaining speed, and safety distance.
Advanced Challenges:
Practice in varied conditions: bad weather, different lighting, and diverse vehicles.
Accompany your teen until comfortable driving in different conditions.
Determining Readiness:
Trust your instincts.
Consider your teen's practice in varying conditions, hazard detection, seat belt use, distraction handling, driving behavior, emotional control, and overall responsibility.
Questions to Consider:
Has my teen had enough varied practice?
Can my teen detect and react to hazards quickly?
Does my teen exhibit safe driving habits like no texting?
Is my teen responsible in other areas of life?
State Farm:
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