Preparing for the First Lesson: Talk Before You Drive
Now that your teen has a learner's permit, it's time to start logging those 50 or more practice hours. To avoid conflict and misunderstanding, it's important to set the following basic ground rules before getting in the car.
Keep emotions in check: agree to time-outs
Even if you agree not to argue with each other, stressful moments will occur. Agree to take a time-out when emotions rise. Pull over to discuss what your teen did (whether right or wrong) and listen to his or her point of view. Take the time to calm down and resolve the problem before resuming driving practice. It's also a good time to discuss the dangers of driving with heightened emotions.
Establish clear guidelines: "stop means stop"
Think about the nuances of what you are teaching. For example, if you just say "stop" when your child approaches a stop sign instead of "slow to a stop at the sign," he or she may brake hard rather than slowing to a stop. To avoid any argument, agree on certain directives and what they mean. For example, explain the difference between "ease off" (slow down slightly by easing off the gas pedal) and "slow down" (apply the brakes more firmly).
Plan the route
Before each practice session, plan the route. This will not only prepare you to review the directions, but also special elements of the route such as a 4-way stop, pedestrian area, or slippery spots. Planning a route ahead of time also will help you make the trips more varied. Remember to take main roads whenever possible; they're usually safer when unexpected hazards occur.
Keep a Log
Use a Driving Practice Log to keep track weekly of how many hours you and your teen have driven together. You also may want to jot down skills practiced, those mastered, and new ones to work on.
