The day you’ve been dreading for 16 years is upon you: Your teenager is about to get their license. If you’re like most parents, you may feel a little excitement as the realization hits that they’ll be able to transport themselves places, but that may be mixed with some real anxiety about their safety.
Luckily, there’s a lot of preparation before a teenager gets behind the wheel. There’s many hours of driving with you, driver’s education classes and a few more hours of teaching them important roadway skills at home.
It’s this last part we will address. Here are eight crucial things to teach your teen before they get their license:
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1. When to Use Electronic Devices
As nine people a day are killed from distracted driving, teaching your teen to be responsible with electronic devices could help save a life. What’s the best way to teach this? By example. Consider when and where you take out your cellphone. Model using the Bluetooth feature, and steer clear of texting – even at a stoplight.
2. How Often to Have Their Vehicle Serviced
It’s important to understand why simple services, like oil changes and tire rotations, are important for the safety of the vehicle and driver. Have your teen log when their car has been in for services like these to help them keep a schedule for maintenance.
Teach your teen what the symbols on the dashboard mean, as well, so they know to report any warning light as soon as possible.
3. Who Has the Right of Way
This can be rather confusing for new drivers, but knowing who has the right of way can help avoid long waits and run-ins with other drivers. Find four-way stops and one-way streets to give them practice. Be sure to discuss the right of way for crosswalks, as courteous drivers should be aware of and stopping for people crossing the street.
4. How to Change a Tire
When a flat tire occurs, it can be easy to panic. Give your new driver the skills they need to maintain a level head and put on a new tire. The DMV has great instructions for changing a tire, which will be helpful during the teaching process. Consider keeping a laminated printout of the instructions with the safety kit in the car for later reference.
5. Which Direction to Go In
Some people are born with directional skills. The rest of the world, though, has to learn the hard way. Fortunately, the way roads are laid out can tell a decent amount about the direction to go in. Make sure they know simple things like odd-numbered roads go north to south, and even-numbered roads run west to east. Learning how to read a map sure couldn’t hurt, and filling out a GPS to the precise location is good to know as well.
6. What to Do When There’s Been an Accident
Though no one wants to think about being in an accident, it’s always a good idea to prepare for and know what to do when one occurs. Stress to your teen to keep their head and never admit fault. In fact, it’s best to only talk to the insurance company and possibly even your lawyer, depending on the circumstance. Understanding additional accident-action tips, which are often printed on your car insurance card, are essential when there’s been an accident.
7. How to Get Unstuck
Whether it’s winter in the snow or spring in the mud, the time will come when their car tires will sink in and not come back out. Show them resourcefulness by pointing out the best tools and procedures for getting unstuck. Gravel, branches floor mats from the car – anything that will give them traction is worth mentioning.
8. How to Parallel Park
Many drivers’ exams use this one skill as a precursory test to measure your teen’s aptitude for driving. Give them a solid foundation by showing them how to parallel park, and then have them try to use it in everyday life. This one may get a little frustrating – for you, your new driver and other drivers – but it will be worthwhile for your teen to master the skill.
Driving is a huge responsibility, as you’re surely aware, and trying to convey that to your teen is important. Set them up for responsible driving by teaching them these eight crucial skills.
Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer and blogger with a passion for party planning and living life to the fullest. Get advice on having a happy, successful career on her blog Punched Clocks, and swing on over to Twitter to follow her @SarahLandrum
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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