Learning About Legal JargonLearning About Legal Jargon

If you're like most parents whose teen is ready to hit the road as a new driver, you've probably got some worries about their overall safety behind the wheel. You have good reason to worry—teenagers tend to be involved in more auto accidents than any other age group.

The good news is that you can be supportive and help your teen prepare for their driving test while giving them the skills they'll need to stay safe on the road at the same time. Here are a few effective methods to consider:

Take Advantage of a Chauffer

One of the most important things you can do for your teen while they prepare to become a driver is offer plenty of practice time. Practicing often is an effective way to make sure that your teen is faced with a variety of road challenges so they'll know how best to react when they're behind the wheel without any guidance.

So why not let your teen drive you around as often as possible? It will give you a break from having to sit behind the wheel, it will give you a chance to spend more time together, and it will provide your teen with an opportunity to practice:

• Highway driving.
• Parallel parking.
• Parking lot maneuvering.
• Dealing with traffic.
• City driving.

Imagine where your teen might drive once they're licensed (like the mall parking lot) and make a point to practice those areas often.

Prepare Mock Driving Tests

Make use the official driver's handbook that is used by the department of motor vehicles to devise your own driving tests both in writing and for the road. This will give you a chance to test your teen's skills on a regular basis and to see how well they improve on the things they've been practicing. This will also give your teen some practice taking tests so they aren't so nervous when it comes time to take the real ones. You'll be able to gauge what might need to be practiced further based on the results of the practice tests.

You Become the Student

Your teen will probably enjoy acting as the driving instructor while you become the student because it gives them a chance to show off the skills that they've learned. This scenario will also give you an opportunity to gauge what information your teen has absorbed, and what information they may not completely understand. To keep your teen on their toes, it's a good idea to purposely make some mistakes like forgetting to put on your blinker.

Maintain the Vehicle Together

There are many responsibilities that come along with driving a vehicle such as ensuring proper maintenance and keeping it legal. Take the time to maintain the vehicle together before your teen gets licensed so they have an idea of just how much responsibility goes into being a licensed driver. This will help to ensure that they actually appreciate the privilege as opposed to taking advantage of it. Some of the things you can do together include:

• Registering the vehicle. (Check it out here.)
• Getting and maintaining insurance.
• Getting oil changes.
• Filling the tires with air.
• Maintaining the radiator.

Even keeping the car clean inside and out should become the responsibility of your teen to give them a sense of visual pride in regard to keeping up with their driving and maintenance responsibilities.  Changing spark plugs and other basic maintenance are other things to practice that will enhance your teen's driving experience overall.

With the help of these tips and tricks you can be sure that your teen not only passes their driving test with flying colors, but also understands how to stay safe while they're on the road as new drivers.