Teaching your teenager to drive will likely be one of the most challenging responsibilities you have as a parent. However, it’s important that you rise to the occasion and do your part to educate them on safely navigating the open road.

Although the thought of your teen driving may be scary, you can’t avoid it, so you should start thinking about how you’re going to approach your new role as passenger and driving instructor. When parents in Ft. Mitchell, KY, want their children to receive the best driving lessons in the area, they turn to Sure-Drive Driver’s Training.

Below, the driving school provides a few tips to help parents succeed at preparing teen drivers to take control of the wheel:

• Lead by Example: Driving is something most children can’t wait to do, and for years they watch how their parents operate a vehicle. This means you’ve likely been teaching your teenager things about driving for years without even realizing it. The behavior you display when you’re behind the wheel is what they’re learning to imitate, so it’s vital to lead by example and show them what safe driving looks like.
• Take Driving Lessons Beyond the Parking Lot: When you first start taking your teen driving, you may stick to parking lots and quiet side streets. While this is fine in the beginning, eventually you should venture out onto more congested roadways and even the highway. This is the only way they’re going to learn how to drive in real-life scenarios and gain the confidence to do it on their own one day.
• Focus on the Positives: It’s not uncommon for parents and teenagers to experience frustration and conflict during driving lessons. Try to remember what it was like learning to drive when you were their age, and strive to create a relaxed environment. They will be more receptive to this than yelling, which can put everyone in a dangerous situation. Focus on the things they do right and reinforce those behaviors with praise.

It’s difficult to have peace of mind about your teen driving, but with the right driver’s education, you can feel better knowing they’ve learned what it takes to be a safe driver. Contact Sure-Drive Driver’s Training at (859) 331-0007, or visit them online for more information.