Even if teenagers spend hours driving under supervision, driving solo is an entirely new experience. As a parent, you likely have some concerns about your teen taking the wheel by themselves. Use the following five tips to help you decide whether your child is ready to drive on their own.

5 Tips to Make Sure Your Teen Is Ready to Drive Solo

1. Watch Their Driving Habits

You’ve been in the passenger’s seat with your teen at the wheel before, but do you pay close attention to their driving habits? Over time, young drivers can form bad habits as they learn how to drive. Take the time to diagnose and gently correct these errors when you spot them. Watch for speeding, distraction, and technical errors.

2. Set Some Ground Rules

Your family might already have rules about curfew and going out, so it won’t be unusual to update the list. Parents should outline some ground rules for solo drives. For example, you may require your teen to send updates while they’re out and tell at least one of you their destination, travel routes, and return time.

3. Discuss Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a serious concern for everyone, but especially teenagers. Over 58% of teen crashes are a result of driver distraction. Young, inexperienced drivers may not have a sense of how dangerous distractions like cell phones, passengers, eating, and drinking are. Make sure your child understands the risks before going solo.

4. Make a Parent-Teen Agreement

Creating an agreement together outlines your expectations, the responsibilities of the driver, and the consequences of breaking the rules. When you put the rules in writing, they become more concrete and enforceable. Review the agreement together and make any necessary changes before all parties sign. Your teen’s trust is essential for their cooperation, so it is important to hear your teen’s input.

5. Talk About Their Experiences

As your teen transitions into driving solo, continue talking about their experiences on the road. Ask your teen about how the drive went. This will encourage discussions about dangerous weather and road conditions, tailgaters, traffic, and other hazards they frequently face. Take the opportunity to offer advice and further improve your child’s road safety habits.

To be safer and smarter on the road, teenagers need a top-quality driver’s education. Eaton Driving School in Rochester, NY, offers tailored driving lessons to suit each student’s unique needs and equip them with the necessary skills to become responsible drivers. For over 30 years, this driving school has offered effective and affordable private driving lessons taught by highly trained instructors. Call (585) 227-4800 or visit their website for more information about classes.

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