Teen Driver – Page 2 – Traffic School Online

Learning to drive takes time and practice. It is both scary and thrilling to go out on your own. If you had enough practice, you should feel (almost) ready to be out and about on your own. However, it does take time to gain confidence in your driving.

Here are some tips to help you gain confidence as you start driving.

Practice, practice, practice. It takes time to become a good driver so the more you drive, the more comfortable you will become.
Drive as much as you can with another driver. Take every opportunity that you have to drive with someone. Listen to them and learn from them. It is also important to drive with different people so you can appreciate how others think.
Be careful who you pick to drive with. Though you might want to drive with anyone who will take you, it is important (especially when you are first starting out) to pick carefully. You are going to want to pick someone who won’t make you nervous. You are going to want someone who is calm and does not easily get rattled when you make mistakes.
Start in a parking lot. Many young drivers learn to drive in a big parking lot. This will allow you to learn to maneuver your car without having to worry about hitting anything. You can focus on starting, stopping, and steering your car.
Once you master the parking lot, start with back roads and gradually work up to busy streets and highways. Take your time. Drive in the parking lot as long as you need to. Once you feel confident enough, you should venture onto back roads and other streets so you can learn to drive with more speed, other drivers, and use road signs. As you gain confidence, you will be able to go out further and further until you are ready for busy streets and highways.
Practice in all types of terrain. You should try to drive all over and experience all types of roads, including the highway, back roads, and even dirt roads.
Drive in all weather. You also need to be prepared to drive in all sorts of weather, including light rain, heavy rain, and snow (depending on where you live). You need to be prepared to drive in all types of weather so you don’t get stuck somewhere in inclement weather. Many people are unprepared with winter weather and you don’t want to be one of them!
Drive different vehicles. If possible, you should try to drive several types of vehicles so that you know how different types of vehicles handle. This will also come in handy when you decide to buy a vehicle.
If you are feeling anxious, try listening to some quiet, soothing music. Music is very good for calming people down quickly. You might also find that playing quiet music in the background every time you drive will help you keep your nerves down as you learn to drive.

It can take a lot of time and practice to get confident behind the wheel. Depending on how much you drive, it can take a few weeks (or months). However, you really need to take advantage of the time that you have with older and wiser drivers. If possible, you should go driving with a few people. It is also important that you know how to handle different roads and weather before you go out on your own and find yourself stuck and unsure of how to handle yourself.

For most teenagers, driving means freedom. It means having control over where you go and when you arrive and leave. It means no more relying on friends for rides, no more panting and sweating on a bicycle, and no more being stuck at home while everyone else is out having fun. And being able to drive isn’t just a practical matter; it’s also a rite of passage. Driving is one of the things that signifies a child is becoming an adult. No wonder driving is such a universally desired ability among eligible teenagers.

Learning how to drive, however, is just one piece of the puzzle. Once you know how to operate a vehicle, you then have to prove it to the government, a process that involves multiple steps. In addition, how to get a driver’s license varies by state, but there are some consistencies.

Driver’s Ed

Driver’s education courses are one of the most important components of the licensing process, as they are the part that actually teaches teenagers how to drive safely and obey traffic laws. Many driver’s education programs are classroom-based, but an increasing number are online. Even if you take an online driver’s ed course, you will still be required to complete in-person driving practice.

Driving Practice

Most students are required to complete driving practice with a professional driving instructor. As part of this practice, students will be required to drive (often on a closed course) in order to practice applying the skills they learned in their driver’s education course. This is just as important as driver’s ed, as driving theory means very little without practice.

DMV Tests

If you have paid close attention to your driver’s education courses and driving practice, the DMV testing shouldn’t be tremendously difficult. The written test should be especially straightforward if you review the content before you take it. The road test, however, is usually a bit more difficult, as it involves driving on public roads with other cars on them, something that most teenagers may not have much prior experience with.

Learner’s Permit

The majority of states prohibit teenagers from getting a driver’s license without first possessing a learner’s permit or provisional license. Learner’s permits allow a teenager to drive a car, but only under certain conditions. Again, restrictions vary by state, but almost always include a prohibition on other minors in the car and almost always require a passenger with a full license to be in the vehicle.

Probation

Most states require teenagers to have a permit for a certain number of months (six or seven is standard) and reach a certain age (usually 16 years old) before becoming eligible to obtain a full license. This pre-license period is usually accompanied by a curfew as well; in many states, teenagers with permits may be prohibited from driving after 10 pm or midnight.

License

Once you have possessed your learner’s permit for the required number of months and have reached the state-mandated minimum age, all you need to do is take the DMV licensing exam. The licensing exam is usually similar to the permit exam in that it includes both written and practical sections, but the licensing exam is more comprehensive and less forgiving, especially in the road test.

Once you have completed each of these steps, your local DMV will grant you your driver’s license. Many full licenses do not come with any restrictions, but your state may have a program called graduated licensing, which imposes limitations for licensed drivers who are still minors. Once you turn 18, however, your license shouldn’t have any restrictions on it no matter your state.

The process for obtaining a full driver’s license may seem long and involved, but that’s only so that the roads are safer for drivers and passengers alike. Follow the proper steps, and pay attention in your studies, and you’ll have your license before you know it.

Getting traffic citations is never fun, but it can be particularly serious for teens. A citation can show you that your teen is not a responsible driver and could be a sign that your teen is in danger. But, taking the right steps after your teen gets a traffic citation can help.

Hire a Lawyer

First of all, you might want to hire a lawyer to help with your teen’s case. Even minor speeding tickets can be a big deal. In some states, your teen might not be able to graduate to the next level of a graduated driver’s license if there is a conviction. Plus, you have to worry about already-high teen insurance rates being even higher. In the end, it could be cheaper to hire a lawyer to help with the situation.

Have Your Teen Take a Driving Course

Consider having your teen take a driving course. There are online options that he or she can take. That way, the course won’t get in the way of school, homework, or your teen’s part-time job. Along with brushing up on the rules with your teen, this could be a good way to have the ticket reduced or dismissed. But every situation is different, so you will need to talk to your lawyer about this.

Check Your Teen’s Driving Habits

There are apps out there that you can use to track your teen’s driving habits. This might be a good idea if you are now worried about your teen’s safety. This could help to encourage him or her to slow down and pay attention.

Or, you might want to restrict your teen’s driving until he or she is ready to be a responsible driver. You may want to take away your teen’s car or restrict his or her driving to certain places, such as school.

Lead By Example

If you get frequent tickets, you can’t expect your teen to consider a traffic citation to be a big deal. The old motto that says, “Do as I say, and not as I do” doesn’t work well when it comes to driving. If your teen sees you speeding, texting, or playing with the radio, he or she is going to see this as normal behavior.

Consider taking a driving course yourself to show your teen that you are never too old or too experienced to brush up on your driving skills. When you are driving — both with or without your teen in the car — get in the habit of following the laws. It is safer, and it’ll set forth a good example for your teen driver.

Have a Conversation

Sit down and talk to your teen about the dangers of speeding and breaking other driving laws. Make sure that he or she knows that it isn’t about avoiding getting a ticket or being strict for no reason. Following the driving laws is important for everyone so all drivers are safe when they are on the road. Talk to your teen about it so that he or she will understand the importance of being a serious driver.

Realizing that your teen has gotten a traffic citation can be upsetting and infuriating. Luckily, following these steps afterward can help you make the best out of a bad situation.

As a new driver, you might encounter some challenging terrain and weather conditions that you didn’t face during your driving lessons. One common scenario is driving alone in heavy rain. Trusting your instincts and following some essential tips can help you navigate safely.

Here are some tips for new drivers when they are driving in the rain, along with some valuable resources to help you stay safe on the road.

Turn on your headlights, no matter how light the rain is. This not only improves your visibility but also allows others to see you. Check your local laws for regulations on using headlights in rain.
Slow down. Prioritize your safety and that of other drivers and pedestrians by reducing your speed. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination. If someone is waiting for you, they will understand.
Exercise extra caution after a long dry spell. Oil and grease build up on the road, and after heavy rain, surfaces can become very slick. Drive carefully until the residue washes away.
Maintain a safe distance between vehicles. This gives you more time to react to unexpected situations.
When braking, apply gentle pressure and allow yourself more time to stop. This also gives the vehicles behind you more time to react.
Follow the tire tracks of the vehicle in front of you. This can help reduce the amount of water your tires have to displace.
Keep a safe distance from large trucks and buses. Their large tires can splash water onto your windshield, impairing your visibility. However, avoid passing them in the rain, if possible.
Ensure clear visibility through your windows at all times. Use your defrosters to prevent windows from fogging up.
Stay on the road. Avoid veering off onto muddy or unstable surfaces.
Approach puddles with caution. They could be deeper than they appear, so try to go around them if possible.
Never drive through moving water. You can’t accurately judge its depth, and your vehicle may be swept away.
Don’t hesitate to pull over if visibility becomes poor. In some situations, it’s much safer to stop driving until conditions improve.
If you hydroplane, remain calm and avoid overreacting. Instead of hitting the brakes or turning the wheel abruptly, release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until your car regains traction.
Prepare your car for rainy conditions. Maintain well-functioning windshield wipers, adequate tires, and brakes on your car.

Driving in the rain can be intimidating, especially for new drivers. Give yourself extra time, drive cautiously, and remember that experience will help you become more comfortable over time.

If the rain is particularly heavy and you have the option, consider waiting for the downpour to pass before hitting the road. Assess whether your trip is necessary or if it can be postponed. If you’re already driving and visibility becomes dangerously low, pull over to the side of the road, ensuring that you’re completely off the roadway to avoid collisions with other drivers who may not see you.

If you’re not comfortable driving in the rain, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your parents or another experienced adult may be willing to accompany you during rainy conditions, helping you gain confidence and become a safer driver. You can also enroll in advanced driving courses that cover driving in adverse weather conditions, such as those offered by the Traffic School Online program.

Remember, practice and experience are the keys to becoming a skilled and confident driver in all types of weather. As you gain more experience driving in the rain, you’ll develop the skills needed to navigate safely and responsibly. Stay cautious, be prepared, and don’t be afraid to seek help or additional training when necessary.

In many ways, the day your teenager comes home with their driver’s license is one of the greatest steps they’ll take toward independence. Suddenly, they can transport themselves anywhere they want to go–and that’s a huge milestone. As a parent, you’re understandably concerned about letting go. Thankfully, you have the power to positively influence your child’s driving behavior, even when you can’t be there to see it.

Experience

Provide plenty of driving experience before letting your teen behind the wheel alone. Even a teenager who seems to take naturally to driving need to have plenty of experience before they get behind the wheel on their own. According to the CDC, you should provide at least thirty to fifty hours of supervised driving time before allowing your child out on the road alone. They also recommend giving your teen plenty of experience in different driving conditions.

It’s tempting to only let your permit-holding teen drive under the best of conditions. When it starts raining, instead of having your teen pull over so you can take the wheel, let them experience wet roads. Is your teen having trouble exhibiting safe driving behavior in the rain? That’s when it’s time for you to take over. Instead of avoiding rainy driving conditions for a while, however, make it a priority to take them out driving the next few times it rains. Even if it means driving around a little-used parking lot for an hour or two before venturing back out on the road, give your teen the experience they need to feel competent behind the wheel when the time comes for them to drive alone.

The same goes for night driving. Driving at night can be very disorienting, especially for a new driver. You might be tempted to simply limit your teenager to driving during daylight hours until they have the chance to become more comfortable, but you don’t know when circumstances will arise that will require them to drive after the sun goes down. A practice that runs late, a visit to a friend’s house that lasts longer than intended, or a trip out to pick up a few things can quickly become disastrous if your teen hasn’t learned night driving skills ahead of time. Instead, make night driving a regular part of their driving experience. If you need to run an errand after the sun goes down, bring your teen along and let them take the wheel. They should learn how to drive at night under controlled circumstances, with you there to help, and that they have that experience for the first time when they’re driving alone.

Modeling

Model safe driving behavior. As much as they don’t want to admit it, your teenager is watching you, and they’ll be prone to the same distractions you are. Guilty of “just glancing” at your cell phone if you get a text message while you’re driving? Your teen will be more likely to justify the same behavior. Fiddle with the radio when you should be paying attention to traffic. “Well, Mom does it.” It’s not a conscious thought on the part of your teen as much as it is an automatic behavior that they likely aren’t even thinking about. Do you always wear your seat belt when you’re behind the wheel and insist on the proper seat belt use in the car, or are you a little lax with how often you actually remember to put it on? If you always practice car safety, your teenager will be more likely to do it, too.

Teaching Safety

Teach your teen to retain a state of relaxed awareness on the road. One way to do this is by presenting “what if” scenarios as your teen is driving. “What if that car over there were to pull out in front of you?” “What if the car in front of you slammed on its brakes?” “What if that truck tried to change lanes before you were out of the way?” By teaching your teenager to anticipate problems on the road, you help them learn what to do if something does happen–and teach them why it’s so important to maintain a safe distance between themselves and other drivers on the road.

Following the Rules

Adhere to your state’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) rules. These rules will vary according to state but may include such restrictions as how late at night your teen can drive, how many people are allowed to be in the car with them when they’re driving alone, and the hours of driving experience your teen has to have before they can move to the next stage of licensing.

At times, these rules may not seem to make any sense. Why can’t your teenager drive alone with his younger brother and sister in the car–or with two of his friends, when all three of them are going to the same destination? It would be easier on all of you if he could just drive himself there! Unfortunately, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents among teenage drivers–and two or three other teenagers in the car is a distraction. So is driving tired, late at night, after he shouldn’t be on the road anymore. These restrictions weren’t put in place to be an inconvenience; they were put in place to keep your teen, his passengers, and other drivers on the road as safe as possible.

Insistence on safety may get you eye rolls and complaints, but in the end, you don’t need your teen’s approval–you need to know that they’re practicing road safety. As the parent, you’re the person in the best place to teach your teen to be a safe driver, and that means that you’re the one keeping them from making a decision on the road that could change their lives forever.

Everyone has heard the phrase backseat driver. Most of the time it seems to be in a derogatory tone. A backseat driver is someone who gives driving advice and directions to drivers from either the backseat or the passenger’s seat.

Nobody likes to be caught being a backseat driver. But if you’re in a driver’s education course and on your way to getting your license, being a backseat driver can pay off — as long as you approach it maturely and professionally.

Observe What They Are Doing Wrong

The next time you find yourself in the car with an experienced driver, pay attention. You’ll be surprised to find that they might not be following the rules of the road as learned in your driver’s education course to the fullest. The average driver makes 400 illegal traffic maneuvers before being caught so it’s no surprise that you can typically observe some not-so-legal driving maneuvers from anyone you happen to be in the car with, including your parents.

Why? The fact is that as time goes by and drivers move beyond their driver’s ed days, they get into a routine. They drive the same route, stop at the same stop sign, turn down the same road, and pass the same buildings on the way to the same job. They become comfortable enough with their surroundings that they feel they know what’s around the corner. And, over time, they develop driving habits that aren’t consistent with the rules of the road taught in a driver’s education course.

Do They Come To a Complete Stop?

Many drivers fail to obey the stop sign. You may remember from your driver’s education course that when you come to a stop sign, you must come to a complete stop. You must look left, then right, then left again. Only once it’s safe to proceed may you move forward.

Unfortunately, many drivers today fail to obey the stop sign and the rules instilled in them in their driver’s education program. They feel that slowing down for a stop sign is sufficient enough. It’s called the rolling stop (or California stop) and the fact of the matter is it’s unsafe. Pedestrians could be crossing, the roads could be slippery and the results could end up being disastrous.

Next time you see this, take a mental note. Remember that what they did is illegal. They are breaking one of the most basic rules of the road and violating driver, passenger, and pedestrian safety.

Are They Speeding?

Speed limits are posted for a reason. Certain factors are taken into consideration such as whether or not you’re driving through a residential neighborhood or a school zone. Next time you’re in a vehicle with someone — even the most experienced driver — pay attention as to whether they’re adhering to the posted speed limit. If they’re traveling too fast, they may pay the price in the form of a ticket.

Do They Use Turn Signals?

Even if no one is around you still need to use turn signals. It’s the car you don’t see that could be the most harmful. This is a common driving behavior for experienced drivers to become lazy about doing.

Paying Attention Can Pay Off

There are countless additional items to look out for. Anything you learned about in driver’s ed you should pay attention to so you can see how experienced drivers apply the behavior in real life.

Being a backseat driver can help you prepare for life on the road. Paying attention to what other drivers are doing wrong and mentally correcting the problem can help you ace the driving test. Of course, you don’t want to annoy the driver but you may want to include them in some of the illegal driving behaviors you are noticing.

If you were correct in your observation it can be helpful to the driver. Many times drivers just forget over time, don’t think of certain laws as being as important, and need a little reminder. If it’s your parents, they might be happy to know you’re learning so much.

If the experienced driver believes you are wrong in your observation it would be good to find out why. Remember, you are still learning so there may have been a reason why the driver did what they did. Take a note and go back and review that area of the driver’s education course so you can get a more complete understanding of that particular driving behavior and if the driver was indeed driving safely.

So you’re ready to hit the road, but your parents might be a bit nervous about the idea. Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you show them that you’re responsible and prepared to get behind the wheel. Check out these four ways to convince your parents that you should drive, and maybe even save this article to refer back to as you prepare for your driver’s ed course!

1. Show Them You Understand the Responsibility

Make sure your parents know that you get how big of a deal driving is. It’s not just about having fun and cruising around. Tell them you want to take a driver’s ed course to learn everything the state thinks you need to know to stay safe on the road. This way, they’ll feel better knowing you’ve got the skills and knowledge to drive defensively.

2. Respect Their Rules and Their Car

Let your parents know that you understand the family car is still theirs, and you’ll be grateful for any time you get to use it. Always ask before taking the car and stick to the rules you’ve learned in driver’s ed. If you’re lucky enough to have your own car, keep your parents in the loop about where you’re going.

3. Remind Them of Their Freedom

Having a licensed driver in the house means your parents won’t have to chauffeur you around anymore. Point out how convenient it’ll be when you can drive yourself to school, work, and all the other events you need to attend. This newfound freedom might make them more excited about you getting your license!

4. Offer to Run Errands

Show your parents you’re willing to help out by running errands for them. Need some groceries? No problem! You’ll be happy to use your driver’s ed skills and pick up the items. Last-minute takeout? You got it. Your parents will appreciate the extra help and see you’re ready to handle the responsibility of driving.

Get Creative with More Ways to Ease Their Minds

There are countless more ideas to help your parents feel better about you driving. Be creative and think of ways to show them you’re responsible and prepared. Just remember, the most important thing is to complete a driver’s ed program, which will make you a safe driver. Combine that with responsibility, and you’ve got a recipe for safe driving now and in the future. If that doesn’t convince them that you’re ready to drive, we don’t know what will!

Before you get ready to put that driver’s license in your wallet — before you begin an in-class or online driver ed course — consider how much money it’s going to cost. You may be fortunate enough to have parents willing to help with the expense but regardless it’s important to get a feel for what the total expenses are.

We’re not talking about how much the actual online driver’s ed course costs. Nor are we referring to the fee that the DMV demands of you to take your road test.

We’re talking about the piles of money that will be spent every year for you to get behind the wheel of a car, even if it is an existing family car and not your own car.

While in previous articles we focused on the safety concerns parents have as you begin to learn how to drive and eventually obtain their driver’s license, in this article we’re focusing on the financial concerns that plague new drivers and their parents across the country when looking to expand the drivers in a household.

Insurance

Auto insurance isn’t cheap. However, it is a necessity. While an online driver’s ed program will teach you how to avoid accidents and keep your insurance rates down, accidents do happen out on the road. That’s why insurance policies exist. As you’ll learn in online driver ed, they’re designed to keep things financially bearable in the event of a mishap with your vehicle.

In order to get behind the wheel of their car, it’s going to cost additional funds in auto insurance. While it might not seem expensive if you’re a secondary driver on their vehicle, it does add up month after month. Some insurance companies have programs that allow a teenager to watch a video to have a safe driver discount. Ask your insurance company if there are any programs that you may qualify for to get a safe driver discount or if they offer a student discount.

Gas

With an additional driver in the house, the family car is going to see a lot less driveway time. It doesn’t take an online driver’s ed program to teach you that gas is expensive. If you’ve ever looked out the car window while your parents filled up the tank — or if you frequently pass by a gas station – you’ve probably marveled at how much the gas prices fluctuate.

There are tips and tricks you can take advantage of to try and spend less money on gas. Some of the most common tips include not topping off your tank, not paying for premium gas, keeping your tires properly inflated, and driving the speed limit.

Maintenance

Additional time on the road means more frequent car maintenance. An online driver’s ed program will show you how important oil changes are for the life of your car. With the prospect of more miles being put on the odometer, the family car is going to require more maintenance.

Make sure you keep an eye on some of the basic car maintenance items. Some of the simple things to check include oil and other fluid levels, verify tires have the proper tire pressure, make sure there are no warning lights on the dashboard, verify all lights on the vehicle are in working order (headlights, turn signals, and brake lights), and also make sure the windshield wipers still work and don’t need to be replaced.

Plan to Help with Expenses

If you’re driving your parent’s car, help alleviate some of the financial headaches. Consider paying for your online driver’s ed course out of your pocket. Get a part-time job to pay for the gas you use. Do whatever it takes to keep your parents’ costs down and driving will be a more pleasant experience for everyone.

Taking a driver’s education course can be lots of fun, especially if you opt for an online driver’s education class that lets you learn the rules of the road from the comfort and convenience of your own home.

But once you complete the in-class educational component of driver’s education and learn everything you ever wanted to know about road safety, the next step to being comfortable with road safety and applying your driver’s education knowledge is obvious: Get behind the wheel to practice everything that was preached.

But where do you start? Is it safe to just get behind the wheel and drive?

That’s where parents come in. Once you have your learner’s permit, you’ll be eligible to get behind the wheel as long as someone with a driver’s license and years of experience is in the front seat with you. Here are some tips on some great places to start learning how to drive.

Start in an Empty Parking Lot

Empty parking lots can help simulate a real-world road environment while minimizing the dangers that come with actually being out on the road. One of the best places to start learning how to drive is in a school parking lot after hours. Wait until it is the weekend, later in the evening, or over a holiday, and the school parking lot will likely be empty. You can also typically find an empty parking lot by going to a closed shopping center.

The first time a driver’s education student gets behind the wheel could very well be with his or her parent. Having never been behind the wheel of a car before, the last thing you want is to be out in the middle of a busy intersection without being comfortable operating a motor vehicle.

A wide-open parking lot can help you get comfortable with steering, stepping on the gas, braking, and turning. Sure, you’ve heard how to properly make that left turn in a driver’s education class. But talking about it and actually doing it are two completely different things. You’ll be able to get a feel for how a vehicle actually responds to human control in a safer environment.

What’s more, with all those empty parking spaces, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to practice parking. Make a right turn into a spot. Make a left turn into a spot. Back into a spot. Do a three-point turn to turn around. The possibilities for applying your driver’s education knowledge are endless.

You can even turn that parking lot into a simulated main street. Set up pylons and simulate parked vehicles, pedestrians, curbs, stop signs, traffic lights, and other things that you’d experience out on the road. This will help you prepare for your in-car driver’s education class before you get out on the road in a real-world environment.

Move up to More Crowded Parking Lots

Once you are feeling comfortable with the basics of driving (steering, braking, turning, reversing, parking) move up to a larger, more crowded parking lot. You can go to a mall or a shopping center during business hours.

Take the skills you are learning and start using them around other drivers. Now, instead of parking in an empty lot, try parking next to an already parked car. Then reverse out with another row of cars behind you.

You can circle around the parking lot and pretend they are actual streets. There are several areas in parking lots that act as small intersections. The important piece is to start feeling comfortable with other vehicles on the road.

Practice on Various Types of Road

Make sure that you practice driving on different types of roads such as asphalt, dirt, and gravel. The car will handle differently on different types of roads so it’s important to get a good feeling for each. You may notice the steering and accelerating will vary depending on the road.

Find back roads that aren’t as commonly traveled to practice your driving skills on these different road types.

Find Roads with Different Speed Limits

Drive on roads with varied speed limits so you can start to get used to how it feels to travel at 25 mph versus 35 mph, versus 40 mph. Once you have enough practice you’ll be able to get a good sense of your speed without even looking at the speedometer.

For now, just practice at one speed until you get comfortable with it, and then move to a faster speed until you get comfortable with it. Remember to move back to the slower speed afterward so you can get a good sense of how it feels at each speed.

Drive on Roads with Different Weather and Visibility Conditions

Practice driving in different weather and visibility conditions. Try driving in the rain and snow. The road is much different when there is rain or snow, especially if it is the first rain of the season. You should also make sure you can put on the proper snow equipment such as cables or chains.

You should also practice driving at night. Driving at night adds new challenges because of the decreased visibility and the need to be extra cautious of other drivers and pedestrians.

Once you are feeling comfortable with driving in the rain and driving at night you should combine the two. Though it is more difficult to drive at night in the rain it is an important skill to have and a situation you will likely come across often.

Practice Using Freeway On and Off Ramps

Once you have mastered the basics of driving on varying road types with varying speed limits and in different weather and visibility conditions you should move on to the freeway. Start by getting used to entering and exiting the freeway. Enter the freeway and then take the next exit, you can loop back around and do the reverse. Make sure you feel very comfortable with getting on and off the freeway and getting up to freeway speed.

In Closing…

Remember, when it comes to applying everything you’ve learned in driver’s education, safety always comes first. Even when practicing in an empty parking lot, always exercise caution and be sure that you are obeying the rules of the road and the laws in your area.

Drive safe, no matter where your car may take you.

Adults experience a lot of anxiety, but there’s nothing quite like the anxiety that comes with a teenager getting ready to get their driver’s license. In this article, we focus on how parents can overcome the fear and anxiety that accompanies a new teenage driver.

Build Your Confidence by Building Their Driving Confidence and Skill

The best tactic to overcoming new teenage driving anxiety is to be confident that your teen is a safe and confident driver. The only way to truly accomplish this task is to educate your teen on the rules of the road and provide them with ample practice opportunities.

If your state doesn’t require a driver’s education course prior to receiving their learner’s permit, it is a good idea to sign them up for a voluntary driver improvement course for your state. These courses are typically offered both online and in person.

The course will teach them the basic principles and laws they need to become a safe driver, but only in-car training will provide your teen with the necessary experience. Many states require behind-the-wheel professional training once they receive their learner’s permit. If your state does not require behind-the-wheel training, it’s a great idea to have your teen take a course voluntarily to help build the confidence and experience needed to be a safe driver.

Once your teen has finished the driver’s education course and behind-the-wheel training, the rest is up to you. You are the one who will need to build the confidence in your teen driver and provide them with the experience necessary to be a safe driver so you can relinquish the car to them in complete confidence and not have to panic about their well-being on the road.

That is typically where the new teenage driver’s anxiety and fear come in. The best way to overcome your fears is to face them head-on. Tell your teenager what your concerns are and find a solution to overcome them. Identify the driving skill you are concerned about and have your teen practice and demonstrate that particular skill to you.

Remember, the key to overcoming new teenage driver anxiety is to ensure your teen has the experience necessary to be a safe and confident driver. Here are some steps you can take to build confidence in your teen driver.

1. Practice the Basics in an Empty Parking Lot

Find an empty parking lot where your teen can safely practice the basics of driving. Start with accelerating and braking, then move on to turning and parking. This controlled environment will help your teen become familiar with the car’s handling and build a strong foundation for their driving skills.

2. As Skill Increases, Move up to Larger, More Crowded Parking Lots

Once your teen has mastered the basics in an empty parking lot, take them to a larger, busier parking lot. This will help them practice their skills with other cars around and learn how to navigate more complex driving scenarios. Gradually increase the difficulty by having them park next to other cars and navigate through crowded parking areas.

3. Practice on Various Types of Road

Exposure to different types of roads will help your teen become a more versatile driver. Have them practice on asphalt, dirt, and gravel roads, focusing on how the car handles and how to safely brake and turn on each surface.

4. Drive on Roads with Varied Speed Limits

Practicing on roads with different speed limits will help your teen understand how the car feels and handles at various speeds. Start with slower residential streets and gradually progress to busier roads with higher speed limits.

5. Practice Driving in Different Weather and Visibility Conditions

Weather and visibility play a significant role in driving safety. Make sure your teen practices driving in rain, snow (if applicable), and at night. This will help them learn how to adjust their driving to different conditions and gain valuable experience in real-life situations.

6. Focus on Entering and Exiting Freeways

Freeway driving can be intimidating for new drivers. Start by having your teen practice entering and exiting freeways in less congested areas during off-peak hours. This will help them build confidence and learn how to merge, maintain speed, and exit safely.

7. Drive Often in Controlled Environments

Regular practice is key to developing and maintaining driving skills. Encourage your teen to drive almost every day, even if it’s only for a short stretch of road or a limited time. This consistent practice will help reinforce their skills and boost their confidence behind the wheel.

Continue Practicing, Even Once They’re Licensed

Once your teenager is licensed, the best way to feel better about their safety is to give them a chance to demonstrate their driving skills and driver’s responsibility. Consider letting them take the wheel the next time you head out to a restaurant for dinner. The state trusts them to drive. It’s only fair that you do, too. The more they apply their driving knowledge and skills, the safer everyone will be.

As long as you continue to educate your teen on the rules of the road, they will continue to learn and develop their defensive driving skills, allowing both of you to be more confident and less fearful of their driving.

◉ Become a More Confident Driver