Teaching Your Teen to Drive
Our Parent-Taught program is not intended to replace the instruction of a professional driving school. While it is comprehensive, nothing can replace personalized and professional behind-the-wheel training.
This program is intended to take six (6) months. If you think that you can teach your teen to drive over the course of a few Saturday's in the parking lot, you're dreaming.
Driving is the most dangerous activity that your teenager will ever engage in. Car crashes kill more teens than drugs, alcohol, and crime combined. Luckily, you, as the parent, can have a major impact on teen's ability to become a safe, smart, and skillful driver. You just need the proper information (which is the point of this website) and the willingness to put in the time with your teen. Good luck!
Stage 1: Start HereStage 1: The Chalk LessonStage 1: Yes, you must remind them to wear a seat belt.Stage 1: The Pivot MethodStage 1: Steering MethodsStage 1: Become a Parking ExpertStage 1: Tire TalkStage 1: Become a Smooth OperatorStage 1: TurningStage 1: Checklist |
Stage 1 represents the beginning of your journey. This is an exciting time for your teenager and perhaps one of great fear for yourself. However, once you are armed with the information, strategies, and exercises contained within this stage, you will be able to confront this fear head on. Length of stage: 2-4 weeks
Location(s): Parking lots
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Stage 2: OverviewStage 2: Backing UpStage 2: Garage ParkingStage 2: Mix up the carsStage 2: Understanding BrakingStage 2: Parking LotsStage 2: Emergency BrakingStage 2: What is a Space Management SystemStage 2: Creating a Space Management System – Part 1Stage 2: Creating a Space Management System – Part 2Stage 2: Emergency AccelerationStage 2: Parallel ParkingStage 2: Changing directions by reversing on streetsStage 2: Goals Checklist |
In Stage 2, your teen will begin the transition from the parking lot into residential streets and even some city driving. They have become comfortable with the basic operation of the car and will begin to develop a space management system. Length of stage: 2-5 weeks
Location(s): Parking lots, Residential and City Streets
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Stage 3: OverviewStage 3: Role ReversalStage 3: Expanding their Search Distance – Part 1Stage 3: Expanding their Search Distance – Part 2Stage 3: Practicing the 3-second ruleStage 3: Two-point, Three-point, and U-Turns – Part 1Stage 3: Two-point, Three-point, and U-Turns – Part 2Stage 3: Two-point, Three-point, and U-Turns – Part 3Stage 3: Learning Directions and Using a MapStage 3: Incorporate More Commentary DrivingStage 3: Intersections – Part 1Stage 3: Intersections – Part 2Stage 3: Night DrivingStage 3: Goals Checklist |
In Stage 3, your teen will gain extensive practice driving in high-volume city streets. They will expand their searching skills, learn two-point turns, three-point turns and u-turns. You should also expose them to some night driving. At the end of this stage, your should feel comfortable moving on to the freeway. Length of stage: 3-6 weeks
Location(s): City and Residential Streets
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Stage 4: OverviewStage 4: Getting Acquainted with the FreewayStage 4: Highway MergingStage 4: Changing Lanes on the HighwayStage 4: Passing on a Divided HighwayStage 4: Stereotyping Other DriversStage 4: It’s Never OK to SpeedStage 4: Skidding – Part 1Stage 4: Skidding – Part 2Stage 4: Skidding – Part 3Stage 4: Passing on Two Lane RoadsStage 4: You Don’t Own the Road (so share it!)Stage 4: Driving in Hazardous ConditionsStage 4: Driving off the road (not off-roading)Stage 4: Goals Checklist |
Your teen is now ready to venture on to the highway! While the high speeds on the freeway can be intimidating, you should feel confident in your teen’s ability to tackle the highway. If they’re ready for this stage, they’ve repeatedly proven their competence as a driver. They’re almost ready to hit the road on their own, so finish strong! Length of stage: 3-5 weeks
Location(s): Everywhere! Parking lots, residential streets, city streets, and the freeway
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