When your kids finally reach the age of 17, most of them will want to get started on learning to drive. You’ll probably have to pay for the lessons, and you might even have to buy them their first car. As a parent, that is something you should prepare for ahead of time. Obtaining a driving license costs a lot of money, and insuring a vehicle when they’re only just passed isn’t cheap either.
Today, we’re going to spend a few moments highlighting some of the ways in which you can help them to achieve their goal. With the right encouragement from you, they could end up having to take fewer lessons and get on the roads much more quickly. So, give us your full attention, and we’ll get started…
Purchasing learning materials
Your child will not be allowed to take the practical exam without first passing the theory test. For that reason, you should purchase all the most recent learning materials as soon as possible. Going through them with your child every night before their exam could make a significant difference in their chances of success. Before you make a DSA theory booking, test their knowledge as often as possible.
Take them out for a drive
So long as you add them to your insurance policy, you’re able to take your child out for a drive at any time. The law states you must place signs on your vehicle to show a learner driver is behind the wheel though, so make sure you adhere to that. Local supermarket car parks are a good place to start. Just ensure you do it when the shop is closed, and there aren’t too many other cars around.
Offer encouragement and criticism
It’s no use letting them get behind the wheel if you’re not going to instruct your kids and offer advice. So, make sure you create your own lesson plans and that you teach them properly. Remember, instructors expect candidates to drive in a certain way. That includes holding the wheel as it is meant to be held. Avoid letting them get into bad habits, as it could have an adverse effect in the long run.
Discuss any concerns they might have
Taking them out in your car is all well and good, but they need to be able to raise concerns with you. You should spend some time before and after each ride discussing anything you feel appropriate. For instance, your child might be worried about changing gears in traffic. If that is the case, you need to address the issue and work on their technique.
So long as you provide the kind of support listed in this post, your kids should obtain their driving licenses in no time. We would estimate a maximum of three to six months in most circumstances. Just ensure they’re taking the task seriously, and they understand their actions could affect the lives of other road users. Most children are pretty responsive though, so they’ll probably comply with all your requests without argument.
What do you do when your child is scared of driving?
Learning to drive is a major milestone in any young person’s life, but it can also be filled with anxiety and fear. If your child is scared of driving, you might be feeling lost and unsure of how to help them. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to help your child overcome their driving anxiety.
Talking to Your Child
The first step in helping your child overcome their fear of driving is talking to them. Ask open-ended questions about what they’re afraid of, and listen without judgment or criticism. Explain that you understand why they’re nervous and help them think through the feelings they’re experiencing. Reassure them that it’s normal for everyone to feel anxious when learning something new, and remind them that you will be there for support every step of the way.
Exposure Therapy
Once your child has identified their fears, you can start working on exposure therapy with them. This involves gradually exposing your child to their fears in a safe environment as a way of desensitizing them from the anxiety associated with driving. Start by having them sit in the driver’s seat while parked in the driveway or garage for just a few minutes at a time. Gradually increase the length and complexity of these sessions until they feel comfortable enough behind the wheel. It may also help to have someone else ride along during some sessions since having an extra set of eyes can make some people feel more secure while they’re learning to drive.
Rewards System
It may also help create a rewards system for your child as an incentive to get over their fear of driving. You could offer rewards like being able to stay up later or having more freedom once they have accomplished certain milestones such as successfully completing several hours behind the wheel or passing their driver’s test on the first try. This will give your child something positive to focus on while still providing motivation for practice and hard work.
Learning how to drive is an important milestone for any young person, but it can also come with its own set of anxieties and fears. As a parent, it’s important that you know how best to support your child through this process so that they can gain confidence behind the wheel. Talk openly with your child about what makes them anxious and work together on exposure therapy exercises designed to desensitize them from those fears. Finally, creating incentives like offering rewards for success may provide additional motivation for practice and hard work as well as build confidence when it comes time for taking their driver’s test!
