5 Tips to Help your Teen Driver Become a Good Driver

The one thing all of us parents have in common is our teens will eventually become drivers. If you’re like me, I don’t want them to just drive, but become a good driver. This is one of those areas that happens so quickly that if you don’t seize the moment, you’ll blink and ask yourself, “Who taught you how to drive?!” Below are my best tips to help your teen become a good drive.

5 Tips to Help Your Teen Driver Become a Good Driver

Tip #1: Teach them about the vehicle they’ll be driving.

This is something that can actually start way before your teen is of driving age. Look at this from an orientation perspective. What functions should your teen learn about the vehicle? Do they know how to operate the basics? Is there a reading manual that came with the vehicle? Overall, you’ll want them knowledgeable about the vehicle because it will make them much more comfortable with driving it.

Tip #2: Teach the basic skills.

Now that they’re familiar with the kind of car they’ll be driving, it’s time for your teen to learn the basic skills of operating it. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Starting off smoothly.
• Stopping the car smoothly.
• Making safe turns and using the turning signal.
• Shifting gears properly (if driving a manual).
• Backing the car up smoothly.
• Showing awareness of their surroundings.

These are the basics to driving that should be accomplished before adding anything else.

Step #3: Driving with others on the road.

This step will come with time, but must come sooner than later. Your teen will eventually be on the road with other drivers, in addition to other distractions. Giving them ample opportunity to practice in these conditions will help build their confidence to one day do it by themselves.

Step #4: Teaching advanced skills.

As adults, we’re used to pretty much any driving condition; however, for our teens, there are some skills that will be considered advanced. These include driving at night, driving in inclement weather, and driving on busy highways and interstates (with multiple lanes). Start your teen on learning these skill slowly. Set goals along the way and celebrate with each milestone accomplished!

Step 5: Teach responsibility in driving.

This may seem like it should come first, but in reality, it happens along the way. From car maintenance and distracted driving to following the laws and passenger safety, your teen will have to understand that their driving is about more than just themselves. Take every opportunity to help them learn how to keep themselves and others around them safe.

A Resource to Help Your Teen Become a Good Driver

Depending on the state you live in, there may be some laws around your teen learning how to drive, up until they actually get their license. In some cases you may be required to show proof of your teen having practiced their driving. Even if you don’t live in one of these states, it’s still a good idea to incorporate some form of log or journal to help your teen stay organized and on track to their main goal of getting their license.

Student Driver Journal + Log

I created this resource to help your new driver learn what’s expected of them, keep track of their driving practice, and more! This 20+ page resources has printable templates for:

• Student Profile
• State-Specific Laws & Driving Rules
• Monthly Planner
• Monthly Schedule
• Weekly Schedule
• To-Do List
• Important Driving Dates
• Daytime & Nighttime Driving Hours Log
• and MORE!!!

Details About This Resource

Stay Organized

The variety of templates available in the Student Driver Journal + Log were made to help keep you and your new driver organized. These printables can be conveniently printed and kept in a pronged folder, binder, or spiral bound. Your student can easily keep track of state laws, their driving hours, who rode with them, goals to reach, and keep any notes. If your state requires your Student Driver to turn in documentation to show proof of practice, these templates will be all you’ll need!

Recordkeeping Made Easy

Some states require new and practicing drivers to keep record of their driving times, log daytime hours, log nighttime hours, and document the adult(s) who rode with them. This resource includes pages that makes keeping these records super easy and all in one place.

Printables for Special Needs Drivers Included!

In the event you have a special needs driver, you’ll have printables just one click away to help you create a specialized IEP, keep up with important contacts, keep track of any necessary (or required) resources, and more.

Get Your Driver Journal + Log Now!

This will help your teen driver become a good driver!