Comments on: How to Teach a Teen to Drive

on 11/22/2005 I am a teen getting my license very soon and I want to tell all you parents to stay calm and not yell. That makes the teen nervous and may cause an accident.

on 11/22/2005 Please try not to make too many sudden movements while your teen is driving. Gasping and grabbing the dashboard will only startle the driver, which is the last thing you want to do.

on 11/22/2005 As a new driver, I am still getting used to turning, changing lanes, backing up, etc. I understand that it is different for parents to be on the passenger side of the car, which makes it seem like you are closer to the trees, the curb, the parked cars, the pedestrians and such. Please try to remain calm. It's much easier to feel confident behind the wheel if you gently offer advice, rather than jump and gasp and grab the door handle. It's just like parents have always said: Under no circumstances do you scare the driver!

on 11/22/2005 I'm a teen, and I have driven an ATV for years. I suggest all parents let there kids get a motorized vehicle for practice (up until it's time to drive a car). They can get the feel of driving a motor vehicle. I do not suggest you put your teen (who has never drove a car) on the freeway or main highway as soon as they get a permit. I drove down a small road that we live on, I made a few errors that if made on any other road would have been bad! And parents, don't force a teen to drive. My parents are trying to force me on a main road even though I have not had much practice on a backroad. This makes me want to drive even less because I don't feel comfortable when being forced.

on 11/22/2005 I know the games part is a bit unreal, but you get the basic concept of driving. Bicycling is good because you get real traffic experience.

I just got my permit 2 days ago, got on major streets with no problem, drove to Chicago and back home.

Go karts help, too :)

on 11/22/2005 My brother just put me in the driver's seat in his stick and told me to start driving. This scared me to death. Definitely teach your teen automatic first.

on 11/22/2005 I went through 3 months of driver's ed and countless hours with a license/car/freedom in general in my mind, only to fail my final driver's course test. Parents, please give you kids the opportunity to learn and gain experience on the road. Most states have graduated licenses now - to get your license six months from your permit, your teen needs about 20 minutes of driving practice each day!

on 11/22/2005 Speaking from experience, patience is key. Most teens don't respond well to yelling or if you stress too much on negatives and not enough on positives. Assure them that you are on their side and want them to get their license almost as much as they do.

on 11/22/2005 Don't forget to inform them of what grade of gas (not diesel fuel) to use. And make sure that they know how to open the gas door with the lever inside the car next to the driver's seat. This may save you from leaving home when you're ready to go to bed.

on 11/22/2005 The biggest mistake people make is to think that because they drive, they can teach others. Wrong! Driving and teaching are two different jobs. Driving should be taught in a dual controlled car. A crash can cost a lot more than driving lessons.

on 11/22/2005 Take them out to an empty, flat parking lot (or field) when it's wet from rain and/or covered in snow. Put the car into a spin, show them how to properly correct, then let them practice. This saved my life during an ice storm.

on 11/22/2005 Don't rush your child out onto the road. My AAA driving instructor tried to take me out after all of fifteen minutes in a parking lot, and that was very traumatic for me. Take your time, and make sure they are comfortable before you go to the street.

on 11/22/2005 I am a teen and have been driving for about two years. The best advice I can give to parents is to avoid becoming nervous. The more nervous you are, the more nervous your teen becomes, and it is much harder to concentrate on driving if you're nervous.

on 11/22/2005 Most kids are interested in cars and driving from an early age. Every now and then, explain parts and functions of a car and rules of the road and always show, by example, good driving habits starting at a young age as you take them here and there.

on 11/22/2005 A strobe light is ideal for your kit. Safer than flares (fire + gas = danger)! Mine has a magnetic base! Some have options: 3 color lenses, built-in flashlight! and a tripod. Small and light - most use 1 D battery & can be seen for 3 mi! Inexpensive, too.