How to Teach Your ADHD Teen to Drive

Your ADHD teen still has difficulty remembering to brush his teeth: How in the world can you feel safe with him behind the wheel of a car? Some teens with attention issues should delay driving. But many are capable of being good drivers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Driving instructor
• Money: Lessons range from about $40 an hour to $450 for a series of several weeks
• Car with existing dents and dings
• Strict rules

1. Know that your teen doesn’t have to begin learning to drive at 15, just because the law says he can. Wait until he demonstrates ample judgment and maturity in other areas.
2. Hire an instructor. Saving the wear and tear on your car and your nerves will make it well worth the cost. You’ll also have the assessment of a neutral third party as to your child’s driving skills. If the instructor says she’s not ready for the road, he’ll be the bad guy—not you.
3. Use you the least valuable car in your garage when your teen practices with you to preserve your peace of mind.
4. Know that some ADHD teens actually have a unique ability to hyper-focus which may actually make them better drivers than their unaffected peers.
5. After she gets her license, forbid your child from driving with any passengers until she has a perfect driving record for at least one year.
6. Restrict nighttime driving as well as driving during bad weather until your teen has demonstrated a record of good driving skills.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your teen knows driving is a privilege.
• Require her to take any stimulant medication prescribed to increase her attention span at least 30 minutes before getting behind the wheel. Lapses should be met with a loss of driving rights for a period of time.