Ah, the pleasure of the open road. For many people, learning to drive implies greater freedom and independence. Driving is almost necessary in the modern world but it can still be risky. For this reason, it is important that people learn to drive safely in order to avoid potential accidents. If you're teaching a beginner how to drive, great! You can help ensure he's prepared for the streets. Also, if you follow a few basic principles (and have a little patience), it doesn't have to be a very difficult task.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Explain the Basics
Step 1. Start at home and explain the controls
Explain to the beginning driver how to start the vehicle and shift. Teach him to use the controls (for example, the windshield wipers, turn signals, and air conditioning). It also goes over basic maintenance information (for example, refueling, checking tire pressure, checking oil level, and refilling windshield washer fluid). Take some time to explain what each thing does and allow me to ask you questions.
- Review the driver's manual as well as the car owner's manual.
- You may not realize how many controls the vehicle has due to frequent driving. For example, a new driver may have no idea what hazard lights are for or how to turn them on.
Step 2. Talk about the importance of checking your mirrors
As long as they are in the parked vehicle, teach your student to adjust the rear view mirror and side mirrors. Explain that it is very important to check your mirrors before backing up or changing lanes.
Reviewing these ideas before the driver even gets behind the wheel will help reinforce them
Step 3. Teach him to place his hands at 3 and 9 on the steering wheel
Keep both hands on the wheel to set a good example. Your student will observe you and will do what you do. Avoid using the outdated 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel, as they do not allow you to have as much control or as much ability to turn as the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions.
Step 4. Drive with your student and explain what you do while driving
Model good driving behavior by doing it with your student. Follow all traffic laws and explain what you do in a way that he can recognize and understand. Many driving laws and practices must be followed, and if you demonstrate them yourself, your student will see the correct way to follow them.
For example, when approaching a stoplight, you might say, "Okay, the light just turned red, which means we have to stop until it turns green, so I'm going to turn on the turn signal so everyone knows I'll be turning when the light is green. "
Step 5. Point out the signs, lights, and street markings and explain their meaning
As you drive with your student, point out the speed limit signs, stop signs, and various street signs you see on the road. Talk about their meaning and what a good driver must do to obey them.
For example, you could say, "Well, do you see how the speed limit changes? This means we have to slow down, and that school zone sign means we have to watch out for school buses and children."
Step 6. Tell your student to stay focused and avoid distractions
Talk about how important it is to keep your eyes on the street at all times. If you look away for more than 2 seconds, this is long enough to cause an accident. Talk about the importance of avoiding distractions and putting your phone away so that you're not tempted to text or reply to them.
Tell your student that if he has to make a call or send a message, that is not a problem. You just have to park in a safe place when doing so
Step 7. Use a web-based driving program to help your student learn the rules
Look for programs like TeenDrivingPlan and State Farm’s Road Trips (if you live in the US) that provide instructional videos, practice scenarios, and other educational tools. Have your student try the program as a safe way to learn and practice driving, as well as to become more familiar with the rules of the road before even getting behind the wheel.
- You can find TeenDrivingPlan here.
- Some insurance companies offer web-based programs that you can use for free. Take a look at your company's website to determine if they have one that you can use.
Method 2 of 4: Start with a student
Step 1. Help him get his driver's license
Depending on where you live, in order to practice driving on public streets, your student must have the appropriate permit. Enroll him in a driver's education course and go over the rules of the road with him to help prepare him. Take him to a local motor vehicle office and let him take the permit test.
- When your student has a permit, they can legally drive with a licensed adult in the car.
- Keep track of your practice driving hours if you need it as part of the licensing process.
Step 2. Spend about 30 minutes in each class
Stick to relatively short classes about 3-4 times a week so the new driver is more likely to retain everything you review. Also, you shouldn't overwhelm him with too much information, and 30-minute practice sessions can help prevent this from happening.
The more your student practices, the more he will improve, so try to do it frequently
Step 3. Use your driveway to practice backing up
Have your student sit behind the wheel while the vehicle is parked in the driveway. Have him buckle up and start the engine. Make sure he checks his mirrors and looks behind him and let him practice backing up and backing through the driveway.
You can also practice driving forward back to the driveway
Step 4. Choose a street that has a traffic light for your student to practice
As he approaches the traffic light, if it turns amber, tell him to slow down. When it turns red, it should come to a complete stop until it turns green. If the light turns amber as you go through the intersection, explain that you can keep driving.
Step 5. Take it easy and let your student get comfortable behind the wheel
Ask him to stick to a low speed. Around 32 km / h (20 mph) will allow you to maintain control of the vehicle and get used to driving.
Also, driving slowly will build your confidence as you become more comfortable
Step 6. Make sure your student drives on the correct side of the road
Regardless of whether the rules dictate that the vehicle must be in the left or right lane, make sure your student sticks to the correct side. Encourage them to develop good driving habits by staying within the lane while driving.
You can move into the other lane when you have to pass another vehicle, but in general you should stay in the correct lane
Step 7. Tell him to use his turn signal when he intends to make a turn or change lanes
Help your student develop the habit of always using the turn signal. As he approaches to turn, gently remind him. If you see that you forget to turn on your turn signal, mention it. In the long run, you will get better at remembering it.
- If he has stopped at a red light, you can ask him to turn right if it is legal to do so. However, make sure he uses his turn signal.
- Also, if a vehicle in front of you has a turn signal on, tell your student to be prepared to slow down and stop when the vehicle turns.
Method 3 of 4: Practice Various Types of Driving
Step 1. Drive in circles in a parking lot to practice turning
Stick to empty parking lots for turns, as they can be difficult to learn. Get your student to turn the wheel and get used to the way the vehicle reacts. Use the parking areas as targets to practice turning and parking.
Turning around is often the hardest thing to learn as a new driver. Using an empty parking lot will take some of the stress out of your student
Step 2. Drive on progressively more difficult streets as your student improves
Start on quiet streets so that your student gets used to handling the vehicle on them. As your driving improves, you begin to move onto streets with more traffic. In the long run, get him onto a highway or interstate so that he can feel comfortable driving at higher speeds.
Ask your student to make sure they are comfortable moving to a more challenging driving scenario. Avoid demanding too much from him if he is unprepared
Step 3. Practice turning into oncoming traffic and merging onto freeways
Turning left into oncoming traffic can cause accidents if not done properly. Have your student turn on the turn signal and wait until the street is clear before turning. Merging onto a busy highway is also a difficult maneuver. Have your student turn on the turn signal and calmly merge into the lane.
Step 4. Have your student change lanes on a highway
When driving on a highway, have your student practice changing lanes by turning on the turn signal. If the lane is clear, tell him he can change. When you are in the new lane, you can turn off your turn signal.
Explain that if a vehicle in front of him is driving slowly, he can pass it by turning on his turn signal, changing lanes to pass the vehicle, and then returning to the original lane
Step 5. Arrange 2 cones and have your student practice parallel parking
Use an empty parking lot or street and place 2 plastic cones about the length of your vehicle. Let your student take his time and try as many times as necessary to learn and become comfortable with parallel parking.
Step 6. Have her practice stopping quickly so she gets used to the feeling
Ask him to drive at around 5 mph (8 km / h) and then slam on the brake and stop immediately. The bump can surprise new drivers, and it's important to know what to expect if you ever have to stop quickly on the street.
Method 4 of 4: Communicate with your student
Step 1. Stay calm and patient while your student practices
He will make some mistakes, and it is important that you correct him without getting angry or you could ruin his confidence. Use every mistake he makes as an opportunity to kindly correct it so that he can learn and improve.
For example, if your student forgets to use the turn signal or check the mirrors, you could say, "Okay, you forgot something. Can you tell me what it is?"
Step 2. Keep a cool head when your student makes a mistake
Driving can be a terrifying experience for your student, and therefore you shouldn't over-stun him by becoming enraged or annoyed every time he makes a mistake. Instead, calmly correct her and tell her that everything will be fine so she doesn't get overwhelmed.
For example, if your student forgets to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or if another driver is rude and aggressive, say something like, "No problem, don't let it get to you. Just stay calm and focus on driving safely. safe"
Step 3. Praise your student when he does something well
Aside from corrections, be sure to tell your student when he does something right. Tell him he's doing an excellent job and help make him a more confident driver.
For example, if he uses the turn signal without being reminded, you might say, "Nice job with the turn signal. Very good."
Step 4. Point out the hazards so that you can learn to recognize them
Teach your student to be aware of dangers so that they can be better equipped to avoid them. When you see dangers in the streets, inform your student about them and explain what to do.
- For example, if you see an obstruction in the street or a large pothole, identify it to your student. You could say, "Hey, do you see that on the street? You have to slow down and go around it to avoid it."
- Explain that he should turn on the headlights if it is raining or at night. You should also turn on the windshield wiper if it rains.