Posted: 15/08/2024
Teaching your child to drive is a significant milestone that requires patience, understanding, and careful guidance. Here’s your guide to help you navigate the process and ensure your young driver becomes a confident and responsible motorist.
1. Understand the Licensing Process
Before hitting the road, make sure you’re fully acquainted with Queensland’s licensing system. This includes understanding how to obtain a learner’s permit, logging the required driving hours, and passing the driving test. Familiarising yourself with these steps will help you guide your child through each stage of their journey to becoming a licensed driver.
2. Commentate While You Drive
As you drive with your child, verbalize your actions and decisions. Explain why you’re making certain maneuvers, such as checking mirrors or adjusting speed. This technique, known as "commentating," helps your child understand road rules and develop the ability to read and react to different driving situations. It’s a practical way to reinforce learning and build their driving skills.
3. Start Slowly and With the Basics
Begin in a quiet, low-traffic area where your child can get comfortable with the basic car controls. Teach them how to start and stop the vehicle, use indicators, and understand the dashboard. Focus on simple maneuvers like turning, reversing, and parking. Building these foundational skills in a stress-free environment will give them the confidence they need to handle more complex driving scenarios.
4. Drive in a Range of Conditions
Exposure to various driving conditions is crucial for developing well-rounded driving skills. Gradually introduce your child to different scenarios, such as driving at night, on highways, and in adverse weather conditions like rain. This experience will prepare them for real-world driving and help them adapt to various challenges they might face on the road.
5. Remember the ‘Thinking Distance’
Young drivers may take longer to process information and make decisions due to their still-developing brains, which may not fully mature until 25-30 years old. This increased ‘thinking distance’ means they need more time to react to road situations. Be patient and provide ample time for them to make decisions while driving.
6. Encourage Professional Lessons
While your guidance is invaluable, supplementing it with professional driving lessons can greatly benefit your child. Professional instructors offer expert techniques and a fresh perspective on driving. Additionally, one hour of professional instruction equates to three logbook hours. Professional lessons can enhance their skills and provide a structured approach to learning.