Teaching teenagers to drive can be an extremely challenging task for a
parent. It requires considerable knowledge of exactly what skills are needed to prepare them for the road as well as a good deal of patience and empathy for young inexperienced drivers.

Most parents may still opt for a supervised
driving instructor but even a veteran-educated driving instructor will recommend that kids spend a lot of time practising with an experienced adult before taking their test.

Not all parents have the temperament to teach driving and those who are easily prone to shouting, losing their patience and making sarcastic remarks should ask their spouse or a friend for help. It is probably wise for these parents to send their teenagers to professionals for driving tuition and then put time aside to practise with their children. Acting as a back-up rather than teaching kids from scratch should take the pressure off both parties and make the task easier.

The following tips may help to make your driving instruction effective and help your teenagers master the skills needed to be a good driver.

Be a good role model
A parent who has decided to teach their teenager should remember that the most influential training kids receive will come from observing their parents behaviour behind the wheel. It is important to be a good role model and always adopt a positive attitude when instructing your child.

Always fasten your seat belt, observe traffic laws, do not drink and drive and do not drive aggressively. Your behaviour, judgement and skills behind the wheel will have an enormous influence on your child and it is essential that they see driving laws being complied with.

Be patient
If you have decided to teach your child let him or her be the one to
initiate the driving instruction. Do not force them to start learning and understand that if they are not pestering you for lessons it is probably because they are anxious about starting. Try and gently encourage them to begin.

Discuss lessons first
Once you start lessons together, make sure your child knows beforehand exactly where you are taking them and what you will be doing. For instance, you may tell them we are going to practice changing lanes, rush hour driving, reversing or three point turns today. Make sure you discuss beforehand the contents of the lesson.

Always be patient in the car with them and gently encourage them to
practice techniques until they get it right.

Be positive
Do not talk down to them or make them feel embarassed or ashamed of their inexperience.

Make sure you always praise their progress so that they can see an
improvement. Make your child feel that they have the ability and competence to become a good driver.

Avoid negative comments or impatient, angry behaviour if they are getting it wrong. Comments such as "you're a dangerous driver" will only upset them and cause tension in the car between the two of you. Instead of yelling 'we're going to get a speeding ticket' if they are going over the limit, ask them 'what's the speed limit here' ?

Stay focused
Make sure driving time is dedicated to lesson time and do not bring up
other issues in the car that are bothering you. Comments like 'why is your room always so messy?' during teaching time will only create tension and distract them from the task at hand.

Parents should stress the importance of controlling emotions whilst
driving, avoiding road rage and the dangers and distractions of mobile
phones or CD players whilst in the car.

Use commentary driving
Ask the teenager to comment on what he or she sees on the road: speed limits, traffic signals, road signs, road conditions and ask him or her what response is needed to these respective situations.l

Although teaching kids yourself may be a cheaper option, parents need to think carefully about whether they are able to communicate the skills needed in a calm, effective manner or whether it is better in the long run for their child to be taught by a disinterested third party. Having an instructor rather than a parent at the wheel may put less pressure on the teenager and place him or her in an environment which is not associated with their daily life, allowing them to fully focus on the tasks at hand.

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