This post was sponsored by Erie Insurance as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
My girls are now 17 years old. 17!! They will be 18 in April. In a perfect world, they would already have their driver's licenses. However, last year was very busy for us all and we stalled on them attending Driver's Education classes and getting their licenses. Then of course 2020 arrived and the gates of turmoil open on the world. So, getting their licenses was not at the top of our minds. However, we have to do it! I admit that I am not ready!!!
If you and your teens are embarking on the same journey, there are a few things that need to be in place to make it a successful venture.
Get a Good Teacher
When I was in high school, we had the classroom portion of driver's education in school. We then had to sign up for the range portion at one of the other local high schools to complete the requirements to get our permit. Unfortunately, there are now less schools in our area that offer range, and they are pretty far away. So, we were not able to get it done for my girls asap as we wanted.
Now I will admit that I am not the most patient person in the world. I am part of the “hurry-up, there is so much to do!” club, so I do not know if I would make a very good driver's ed teacher. Thankfully, their Dad is a bit more patient. They have spent some time driving with him, so they are well on their way. However, if you are like me, the easier choice may be to send your teen to a private driving school in your area. They will be patient. They will know all of the rules like the backs of their hand. And they will make sure your teen completes in the required number of hours to get their driving permit. After that, they just need to pass the DMV test and get their license.
Have Some Patience & Calm
Although you may not be doing the full lessons, chances are you will be going on a few ride-alongs. It is important to have some patience when it comes to being a passenger. New drivers can be nervous. The last thing they need is an equally nervous parent getting spooked and becoming a backseat driver. I could tell you some stories about driving with my mother! Let's just say my boyfriend at the time ended up teaching me to drive more than my mother did. 🙂
Get A Safe Vehicle
When I was a teen, I can remember a few of my friends having cars that we called “hoopties”. These were the cars that no one really wanted. The cars with rust, a door of another color, some dents, or a loud muffler. And they may have been in need of some serious mechanical work.
Well, if we are being honest with ourselves… that is not the best course of action for a new driver. For one thing, we want our children to be safe. And we don't want them to have to worry about the possibility that their car could break down at any time.
In addition to that, vehicle technology has come a long way. Cars are now made with plenty of advanced safety features that keep the car and driver safe. Options such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking are some of the most popular. And I can tell you first hand that these features work. Of course, we want to teach our young drivers to be the best that they can be, but as parents, we also want to do absolutely everything to keep them safe.
Get the Right Auto Insurance
Although we hope and pray that everything always goes smoothly, accidents do happen. And this is sometimes more common with newer drivers. Adding a younger driver to your auto insurance can be very pricey, so it may be a good time to shop around for a more reasonable auto insurance rate. You might want to take insurance costs into consideration when choosing a vehicle. Pick out a couple of safe vehicles. Then call a reputable company like Erie Insurance to request a quote.
These are just a few of the things needed if you will have new drivers in your home. It is definitely an adjustment for all, but so worth it in the end. Becoming a good driver is a necessary part of growing up, learning some responsibility, and becoming independent. Help your teens in the best way possible.
Do you have any tips for parents and teens facing this obstacle?
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