by Colin Morley

Created on: August 11, 2007

I once worked as a driving instructor, and many of my pupils were teenagers. When it came to teaching my own kids when they reached that age I applied the same rules and methods and it worked surprisingly well. Before driving anywhere or doing anything, my first lesson always started with a talk that went something like this:

"One of the first rules for learning to drive, just as for learning anything, is not to try to "run before you can walk". Driving is a real skill, and to learn it well is something you can be proud of. Would you rather listen to a professional band or to your friend who has just learned three cords on the guitar? Learning to drive is not going to take you an hour or two. Learning the basics is going to take you some weeks. Learning well enough to pass your driving test is probably going to take you some months - and really learning to drive like an expert is going to take you some years.

So you still want to learn to drive? Good. You probably think that what we are sitting in right now is just a car. Yes it is a car, but when it starts to move it can soon become a lethal weapon. It needs to be treated with care and with respect, and you need to know that if you treat it wrong it can kill. If I gave that boy/girl over there (point to nearest teenage pedestrian) a loaded assault rifle right now, even though they have never seen or used one - would you feel safe? I guess not. That is why we are not going to drive our lethal weapon anywhere near them until we have grasped a few basics. Is that fair? (hope for a 'yes' or at least a nod at this stage!)

OK - I am going to take the wheel now just for a few minutes, and we are going to drive to a car park (or other empty space you know) and have some fun!"

The remainder of the lesson will be taught explaining the controls (paying particular attention to clutch control if the car is manual) and learning how to steer the car both within confined space and (if space allows) at slightly higher speed. Make the lesson fun. That is really important to put your pupil at ease.

Depending on your pupil's spacial awareness and confidence this could take up to three or four lessons before you or s(he) will feel confident to drive on even a minor road. I was fortunate enough to have a car with dual controls, so that I could operate clutch and brake and allow the pupil to really concentrate on and perfect steering. If you are not so fortunate you could consider hiring controls (a little expensive) or take a few more lessons and be very patient.

However difficult it may be, do not lose your patience. The moment you do, you will lose the trust of your son or daughter. If that happens, consider hiring a professional driving instructor.

Learn more about this author, Colin Morley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.