Contents
Being the parent of a new teen driver is not for the faint of heart. But with the help of an Orange County driving school, transforming fearless and excited teens into safe and defensive drivers doesn’t have to be a stressful task. Feel free to use these tips in guiding your new teen driver.
Tips for Parents of New Teen Drivers
All parents worry about their children, even more so when they’re just starting out behind the wheel. So here’s some great news for your peace of mind: California is one of the Top 10 Safest States for Teen Drivers in a 2018 survey from WalletHub!
- Model safe driving.
More often than not, how teens drive is a reflection of how their parents drive. Therefore, show them the kind of driver you want them to be. For instance, explain things like why you’re slowing down when there’s a yellow light ahead. Deal with frustrating situations patiently especially when they’re in the car.Teens are always watching their elders, and when you model positive driving habits, you’re establishing a strong foundation for when the time comes to give them the keys.
- Get familiar with the restrictions of a graduated license.
Each state has a graduated driver’s license program. This is designed for teens to progress through different levels over time. For instance, here’s a sample of restrictions in California:
Stage 1
• Can only drive with adults 25 years and up
• Minimum of 15 years old and six months to qualify
Stage 2
• No passengers under 20 for the first year, unless there’s an adult driver 25 years and up inside the vehicle
• No driving between 11 PM and 5 AM for the first 12 months, with exceptions
Stage 3
• Cannot transport young passengers without an adult present
• No driving between 11 PM and 5 AM for the first 12 months, with exceptions
If you’re not sure about the restrictions, feel free to ask instructors in your chosen driving school in Irvine.
- Practice with your teen.
Apart from driving with an instructor and their Driver’s Ed class, teen drives also need 50 hours of extra practice time to qualify for their license. Ten of those are reserved for night driving.Try to carve out time for a one-on-one driving practice with your teen. Fifty hours may seem like a lot, but not when you think of the lifetime investment you’re making. At I Passed Driving School, we recommend that you stagger those 50 hours between our three lessons to maximize the training.Better yet, these practice sessions are an excellent way for you and your child to bond while you’re teaching them valuable driving skills.
- Purchase an app.
Use the power of technology to your advantage. There are smartphone apps available today that will allow parents to monitor driving behaviors. These apps can also send you automatic alerts when your child has safely arrived at their destination, and give you more teaching opportunities based on the data you receive.
Enroll Your Teen Only in Defensive Driving Schools
Make sure to choose your teen’s driving school in Anaheim carefully. Advanced driving school programs like the Teen Driver’s Course from I Passed Driving School don’t just focus on the basics of driving. We make sure to teach real-life, defensive driving skills they can apply on the road.
Is your teen ready to sit behind the wheel? Call I Passed Driving School at (949) 601- 4430 and let’s get their driver’s education started today.