Teaching your Teen to Drive: A Supervising Driver’s Checklist

Teaching someone to drive is a huge responsibility. It’s important that you come prepared so you know what to cover and how to guide them effectively. In this guide, we’ll go through all you need to know, whether you’ve done it before or not.

Are You Ready to be a Supervising Driver?

Before you begin, ask yourself if you are ready to be a supervising driver. How do you react to stress? Do you have patience? To teach effectively, you will need to be patient, calm, and compassionate at all times. If you have high anxiety, get frustrated easily, or are prone to road rage, you may want to consider hiring a professional driving instructor instead.

Our comprehensive parent training course equips you with everything you need to confidently teach your teen to be a safe, responsible driver. With clear videos, structured lesson checklists, expert advice, and more, you’ll feel fully prepared for this important journey. Start today to ensure a safer road ahead – for your teen and for your peace of mind!

Preparation Before

Before the first lesson, check the following:

• Insurance Coverage: Ensure your insurance will cover a student driver in case of an accident. Know what your insurance will and will not cover before starting any road practice.
• Vehicle Inspection: Have your vehicle inspected to make sure it is road-worthy. Tires should be in good shape and properly inflated. All fluids should be topped off. There should be no warning lights on the dashboard, mysterious leaks, or strange sounds.
• Age Requirements: Verify that you are qualified to teach someone to drive. Most states require you to have a full valid license and be at least 21 years old.

Discuss the most common causes of traffic accidents among teenagers early on, and emphasize why understanding these risks is crucial for safe driving.

1. Distracted Driving. Eight people are killed in an accident involving distracted driving every day. Make sure you and your student both know the risks and best driving practices, especially when it involves responding to a cell phone. Make sure to go over:
   1. The three types of distracted driving: Taking your eyes off the road, Taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off driving. Discuss the best ways to prevent each of them in various situations.
   2. Any restrictions put on them by the law. Especially regarding phones, tablets, and hands-free devices. They may also have restrictions on the number of people they can have in the vehicle with them.
   3. Safe ways to get off the road when they need to deal with a distraction.
2. Drowsy and Emotional Driving. Also, make sure to cover when to pull over and ways to attain alternative transport.
3. Drugs and Alcohol. Over 10,000 Americans die from alcohol-related road accidents each year. Go through both the laws and how alcohol impacts their driving. Also cover the effects of their prescriptions, cold medicine, and allergy medicines that have drowsiness or vertigo listed as a side effect. Be sure to discuss:
   • How to time any alcohol, drugs, or medicines to keep them from interacting with their driving
   • How to identify when they are under the influence and when to get off the road
   • How to attain alternate transport
   • How to secure their vehicle if they will need to leave it unattended

Ride-Along Experience: Have the new driver ride with you before the first driving lesson. Point out road signs and their functions. Explain who has to yield at certain stops. Discuss areas on the route that are prone to floods, black ice, and other hazards, along with how to handle them. Explain why you make certain driving decisions in various situations.

Checklist for Teaching Someone to Drive

• Start in a Safe, Controlled Environment
  • Begin in an open parking lot or quiet area with minimal traffic.
  • Allow the new driver to get comfortable without traffic pressure.
• Get Accustomed to the Vehicle
  • Show essential functions (emergency brakes, lights, blinkers, speedometer).
  • Practice adjusting seat and mirrors, using defrosters, wipers, etc.
• Emphasize Attention to Surroundings
  • Teach looking ahead, checking mirrors frequently, and scanning for hazards.
  • Maintain a “safety space” around the car.
• Keep Sessions Short and Frequent
  • Aim for three to four thirty-minute sessions weekly.
  • Avoid long sessions to prevent overwhelm.
• Remove All Distractions
  • Turn off the radio, put away phones, remove clutter.
  • Keep discussions focused on driving.
• Progress Gradually to More Challenging Environments
  • Low-Speed, Low-Traffic Areas: Practice on quiet streets; focus on lane discipline, anticipating exits, approaching stops.
  • Vary Routes and Conditions: Introduce different times, weather, and traffic on familiar roads.
  • Highway Driving: Practice merging, maintaining speed, and safe following distances during low-traffic times.
• Have a Comprehensive Plan
  • Basic Driving Skills: Cover turning, braking, accelerating, intersections, right of way, changing lanes, merging, and speed control.
  • Defensive Driving: Teach hazard anticipation, safe following distances, and courteous driving.
  • Advanced Skills: Include passing, emergency vehicle response, and turning lanes.
  • Driving in Different Conditions: Practice in bad weather, different times of day, and with various passengers.
  • Vehicle Maintenance: Go over pumping gas, fluid checks, tire changes, and dashboard warning lights.
• Know When to Pause or Stop the Lesson
  • Watch for stress or fatigue (tight grip, holding breath, frustration).
  • Take breaks or end the session if needed.

Teaching someone how to drive is a significant task that requires patience, knowledge, and dedication. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you cover all the necessary skills and information to help them become a safe and competent driver. Your student is counting on you.