While most teenagers can’t wait to get their driver’s license, the process is tougher for parents. On top of rising auto insurance rates, parents worry about their child’s safety. That’s why it’s so important to teach your teenager the rules of the road before they receive driving privileges. In addition to working with car insurance companies to find your teen the best auto insurance quotes, these simple steps can help prepare your teen for life behind the wheel. 

Do:

Find low-traffic areas.

When initially teaching your teenager to drive, you don’t want to start on busy highways or areas with a lot of foot traffic. Instead, have the initial lessons in empty parking lots or quiet neighborhood roads. This help them get comfortable with the basics before moving on to more complicated driving scenarios.

Have a plan.

You can’t expect your child to learn all the complexities of driving in one lesson, which is why it’s important to have a lesson plan. Start simple, covering the basics like accelerating and maintaining a safe speed. Over time, as they grow more comfortable, move onto the more advanced maneuvers like three-point turns and parallel parking.

Set a great example.

Car insurance companies see your teen driver as high-risk as their inexperience makes them more likely to file a claim. You can help your child avoid risk by setting an example of how a safe driver operates a vehicle. They’ll follow your lead when it comes to driving, so review your state’s driving laws and explain them to your child. By advising them on how you safely operate under these laws, you increase their chance of driving safely. 

Don’t:

Backseat drive.

Learning to drive is stressful enough without having a parent yelling from the backseat. Rather than nitpicking at every aspect of your child’s driving, offer constructive criticism. Framing your lessons positively will relax your child and foster a better learning experience for everyone. 

Allow distracted driving.

Beyond teaching your child not to text and drive, educate them on other potential distractions they might face behind the wheel. Excessive conversations, rambunctious friends, or having pets in the car can distract the driver. Encourage them to create and enforce rules for their car, such as setting a radio volume limit or designating a friend to control the music instead of switching songs while driving.

Assume you have all the answers.

Driving instructors will also be teaching your child how to drive, and sometimes, your information might not line up with what they are teaching in school. If your child has learned something in school that you don’t agree with, don’t assume you are right. Take the opportunity to learn from your teen, and you can both become better drivers in the process.

 

Since car insurance companies view teenage drivers as high risk, it’s important to shop for multiple auto insurance quotes. Cheap car insurance is available to young drivers, and the experts at 1^st Choice Insurance in Fairfield, OH, will help you find it. Specializing in high-risk insurance and SR-22 bonds, they are the leading brokers of high-risk insurance. Visit them online to learn more about their services, and call (513) 860-0666 to schedule a consultation.