Teens learning how to drive for the first time find themselves in a whole new world of personal independence. Being on the open road gives one a sense of freedom that can be found nowhere else, but with this new-found freedom does come a level of responsibility that needs to be appreciated. This is why parents of teen drivers need to be sure their kids are ready for the road. The following tests can help you assess your teen’s readiness to get behind the wheel when the time comes.
Your Driver’s Education Options
Every state has different traffic laws and licensure requirements. Your state may require your child to participate in a combination of classroom driver’s education and supervised behind-the-wheel training activities. None of this precludes your teen from enrolling in private driving schools or taking online driver’s education courses if they feel they need it. These options represent a good resource for those who might otherwise lack the confidence needed to pass the written and road tests administered by their school.
Parallel Parking Skills
Parallel parking is one of the most difficult skills for new drivers to develop and is often required as part of tests. Few driving maneuvers are as intimidating as parallel parking. When student drivers flunk their road tests, most blame their inability to properly demonstrate their parallel parking skills. For all these reasons, testing and re-testing your teen’s parallel parking abilities before they move on to take their actual road test is a very wise thing to do.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving represents a very serious road hazard facing drivers and passengers everywhere. Distracted driving includes mobile phone texting while operating a motor vehicle. Learning how to avoid falling prey to it may not help your teen pass any formal driver’s examination, but it will help them greatly when it comes to staying safe behind the wheel. For this reason, you should include at least one serious talk about distracted driving and test them for compliance before you greenlight them for solo driving. You could even enlist the help of a car accident attorney from Las Vegas or local firemen to help drive this point home for your teen.
The Fundamentals
There are certain fundamental rules all drivers must follow if they expect to pass a driver’s exam. These rules include: properly adjusting car seats before ignition, the use of seat belts, making sure that all car mirrors are adjusted properly, keeping both hands on the wheel at all times, and making sure that you look over your shoulder before entering traffic or using reverse gear. It is critical that you test your teen to be sure they know and understand these fundamentals before they take any of their examinations.
Learning how to drive requires time and patience. Like all new drivers, teens need to learn the “rules of the road” before they can be trusted to get in the driver’s seat. They also need the confidence that comes with meaningful experience behind the wheel. Testing your kids beforehand and letting them make all of their mistakes prior to taking their formal examinations is the best way to ensure that your teen learns how to be a safe driver while studying to pass their tests.