TEACHING A NEW DRIVER? HERE ARE SOME OF THE BASICS TO START WITH!

Teaching a new driver, especially if it is your own teen, can definitely be a daunting task. You want to teach them right, and you want to be safe doing so. However, most teens will be starting to learn to drive when they get to that right age, and it is a big step into adulthood. You want your teen driver to feel confident on the road.
When teaching a new driver, you first want to instill patience and calmness. Try to take away their stress and anxiety by starting off in lightly traveled areas. Starting on a busy highway can be super intimidating. You also want to make sure that you are abiding by your local legal requirements when it comes to the conditions behind your teen driver's learner's permit.
Here is a checklist of basics when teaching your new driver:
- Teach seat and rear view mirror positioning as well as positioning side mirrors for blind spots.
- Show how to use the turn signals, wipers, and climate control system.
- Take short trips spread out among many days to minimize stress and to teach new lessons each day.
- Go over basic signage such as stop signs, yield signs, etc.
- Make sure they learn how to make a complete stop.
- Review traffic lights, when to slow down, who has the right of way when turning right on a red, and how to read various traffic light signs such as unprotected left turns, no left turns, no U-turns, etc.
- Show how to merge lanes correctly with using blinkers, looking in mirrors, and also looking back over the shoulder to see blind spots.
- Teach your teen driver to leave at least a full car's length between them and the vehicle in front of them.
- Advise against tailgating, speeding, and reckless driving.
These are some of the basics of just learning how to drive that can be helpful for a young, new driver. However, a good rule of thumb is to review legal requirements in your area and to go over those in detail with your teen driver. They should understand the legal rules of the road, while also practicing to drive safely.
Another big thing is to make sure your new driver understands car maintenance, and how often their new vehicle will need to be serviced. Follow your car's owner's manual for information on what its service intervals are. If your vehicle does need service, you know you can turn to the experts here at Worth It Automotive. Call us today!









