How to help your child when they’re learning to drive
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As a parent, it can be daunting when your child decides to learn to drive.
This exciting milestone is certainly worth celebrating, but it’s also one that’s comes with an element of risk and uncertainty. From the increased risk of collisions to peer pressure and much more, driving can be challenging for younger people.
Your support could make more of an impact than you might expect. No matter how you might feel about it, here’s how to help your child when they’re learning to drive.
1. Understand your role
If your child has decided to take driving lessons with an approved instructor, you might not need to do much more than simply encourage them. The aim here is to make them feel confident and happy about their progress.
However, many learner drivers choose to practice in either their own car or a vehicle that belongs to their parents. It’s legal to supervise a learner driver, but only if you meet specific criteria. You must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have held a valid UK driving licence for at least three years
- Be qualified to drive the type of car or vehicle that the new driver is learning in.
Before you get stuck in, make sure to familiarise yourself with the latest DVSA guidelines and information on how the practical test works.
2. Arrange appropriate insurance
Getting the correct insurance is essential for every driver. When your child is learning to drive, it’s worth finding a specific type of cover that considers the extra risk factors.
Specialist learner driver insurance allows your child to practice in your car without affecting your No Claims Bonus if they need to claim. Alternatively, adding them to your own cover or taking out multi-car insurance can help save costs, but you should never list them as the main driver.
3. Plan structured and varied practice
If you’re going to be responsible for most of your child’s driving lessons, you should tailor each session to help them develop skills at their own pace.
Create a lesson plan that progresses from basic to complex driving scenarios. Start in quiet areas to help build their confidence, then gradually introduce busier roads and different conditions, including night driving or adverse weather.
Regular, varied practice in different environments helps prepare your child for real-world driving before the pressure of the test.
4. Explore ways to save money
Finally, it’s no secret that teaching your child to drive can be expensive. Try to consider ways to reduce costs, such as combining insurance policies.
Along with the bigger discounts, it could be worth supporting your child to find their own first car. If they learn and practice in a fuel-efficient vehicle, you’ll both save money. They can take the test in their own car, and this could even set them up for further success once they’ve passed.
Have you got any tips to share on how to help your child when they’re learning to drive?
