Teaching your teen how to drive can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking experience. As a parent, you want to ensure that your teen develops safe driving habits, follows traffic laws, and gains the confidence needed to navigate the road. While professional driver education is always beneficial, many parents opt for parent-taught driver education (PTDE) as a way to personally guide their teens through this important milestone.
At Get Drivers Ed, we understand the challenges and rewards of being a parent-taught driving instructor. With the right approach, patience, and structured guidance, you can help your teen become a safe and responsible driver.
Understanding Parent-Taught Driver Education
1. What Are Parent-Taught Drivers Ed?
Parent-taught driver education (PTDE) is a state-approved program that allows parents or legal guardians to provide driver training to their teen instead of traditional driving schools.
Key Benefits of Parent-Taught Drivers Ed:
✔ Flexible Learning Pace – Parents and teens can set their own schedule for lessons.
✔ More Personalized Instruction – One-on-one training allows for better focus on weaknesses.
✔ Stronger Parent-Teen Bond – Learning together can build trust and communication.
✔ Cost-Effective – Parent-taught drivers ed can be more affordable than traditional programs.
At Get Drivers Ed, we provide comprehensive online drivers ed courses that parents can use to guide their teens through the learning process effectively.
How to Be a Great Parent-Taught Driving Instructor
2. Prepare Before You Start Teaching
Before getting in the car with your teen, it’s important to understand the responsibilities and expectations of being a driving instructor.
Steps to Prepare for Parent-Taught Driving:
📜 Review State Requirements – Each state has specific rules for parent-taught driver education, including eligibility requirements and logbook documentation.
🚗 Familiarize Yourself with the Curriculum – Enroll in a state-approved course like Get Drivers Ed to ensure you’re following the correct lesson structure.
🛑 Plan Driving Lessons in Advance – Choose safe locations for early practice (empty parking lots, quiet streets) before moving on to busier roads and highways.
📝 Gather Necessary Materials – Keep a driving log, checklist, and safety resources handy.
By preparing ahead, you set yourself and your teen up for a smoother learning experience.
3. Teach the Basics Before Hitting the Road
Before your teen drives in real-world conditions, they need to understand vehicle controls, road signs, and basic driving techniques.
Essential Pre-Driving Lessons:
🛠 Understanding Vehicle Components – Teach your teen how to adjust mirrors, use turn signals, and operate windshield wipers.
🚦 Review Traffic Signs and Road Rules – Go over speed limits, stop signs, right-of-way rules, and lane markings.
⚙ Start with Stationary Exercises – Have them practice turning the wheel, using the brakes, and shifting gears while the car is parked.
At Get Drivers Ed, our course includes interactive lessons and quizzes to reinforce traffic laws and vehicle operations before practice sessions.
4. Start with Low-Stress, Controlled Driving Practice
Once your teen is comfortable with vehicle controls, begin with low-risk driving environments before moving onto busier roads.
Best Places for Initial Driving Lessons:
🏢 Empty Parking Lots – Great for practicing steering, braking, and acceleration.
🏡 Quiet Neighborhood Streets – Introduce turning, stopping at stop signs, and checking mirrors.
🚦 Light-Traffic Roads – Help your teen practice lane changes, using turn signals, and handling intersections.
Encouraging small successes early on will build your teen’s confidence and skills before they tackle more challenging driving scenarios.
How to Improve Your Teen’s Driving Skills Over Time
5. Gradually Introduce More Complex Driving Situations
Once your teen becomes comfortable with basic driving maneuvers, it’s time to progress to more advanced skills.
Next Steps in Driving Training:
✅ Driving on Highways – Teach safe merging, maintaining proper speed, and following distance.
🚗 Navigating Traffic and Intersections – Practice handling stoplights, roundabouts, and four-way stops.
🌧 Driving in Different Weather Conditions – Guide them through rain, fog, and nighttime driving.
🏙 City Driving & Parking – Introduce parallel parking, three-point turns, and navigating crowded streets.
At Get Drivers Ed, we provide structured lesson plans to help parents introduce more challenging driving environments gradually.
6. Focus on Defensive Driving and Safe Habits
Teaching your teen defensive driving skills is crucial for avoiding accidents and handling unexpected situations.
Key Defensive Driving Techniques:
🚘 Always Be Aware of Surroundings – Encourage checking mirrors and scanning ahead for hazards.
🚦 Maintain a Safe Following Distance – Use the three-second rule to avoid tailgating.
📵 Avoid Distractions – Emphasize no texting, eating, or using the phone while driving.
🚗 Expect the Unexpected – Teach your teen to anticipate the actions of other drivers and react safely.
At Get Drivers Ed, we integrate defensive driving strategies into our course to ensure that teens become cautious and responsible drivers.
Common Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Avoid Them)
7. Pitfalls to Watch Out For as a Parent-Taught Instructor
Even well-intentioned parents can unintentionally create bad driving habits in their teens.
Common Parent Mistakes:
❌ Overreacting to Small Errors – Stay calm and constructive when correcting mistakes.
❌ Not Setting a Good Example – Always demonstrate proper driving habits, like using turn signals and obeying speed limits.
❌ Skipping Important Lessons – Cover all aspects of driving, not just the basics.
❌ Allowing Overconfidence Too Soon – Make sure your teen has enough practice before advancing to highways or heavy traffic.
At Get Drivers Ed, we help parents avoid these common pitfalls and provide step-by-step guidance for a successful parent-taught experience.
Conclusion: Be the Best Driving Instructor for Your Teen
Being a parent-taught driving instructor is a rewarding experience that gives you the opportunity to help your teen develop safe, responsible driving habits. By preparing properly, following a structured plan, and emphasizing defensive driving, you can ensure they become a confident and capable driver.
At Get Drivers Ed, we provide comprehensive online drivers ed courses that guide parents and teens through every step of the learning process.
🚗 Ready to help your teen succeed? Enroll in our Parent-Taught Drivers Ed course today and start their driving journey the right way!
