A toolkit for parents of teen drivers

Teaching your teen to drive is a big job, it takes time and patience to teach them all the skills they need to be a safe driver - and we know it can be hard to find both! This site is here to help, with tools and tips about what they need to learn and how to keep them safe doing it

The Learner section will help you put a training programme together, so you can be sure they learn the driving skills they need to pass the restricted test

The Restricted section is loaded with tools and tips from a teen psychologist to help you and your teen manage the risks they face when driving alone

Roll over the roadsigns below to see what they need to learn
or download as a PDF.
 

 

Winter Festival driving map

Basic

Before your teen starts driving they need to know their way round the vehicle. This includes:

  • safety checks
  • vehicle controls
  • getting the car moving.

Get tools to help you teach them the skills

Low speed

Getting out on the road can be pretty hair-raising, so start with the basics on quiet streets, such as:

  • pulling onto and off the road
  • turning, giving way and roundabouts
  • reversing
  • changing lanes.

Get tools to help you teach them the skills

Higher speed

Now they need to build up to higher speeds, so it’s time to practise on the open road. The key skill is knowing where the car should be on the road when they are:

  • driving on straight and multilane roads
  • driving through curves
  • merging into higher speed traffic.

Get tools to help you teach them the skills

Advanced skills

Driving with you in tougher conditions now is critical for their safety in the restricted phase. It will help them prepare for the conditions they will face on longer trips, such as:

  • hills
  • overtaking
  • heavy braking
  • bad weather or light
  • rural/urban roads.

Get tools to help you teach them the skills

Learner phase

Once your teen turns 16 and passes a computerised theory test they can start learning to drive. The learner phase is a time for them to master driving with a supervisor (licensed for 2 years) in the car at all times.

They need to spend at least 6 months on their Learner licence before they can take the Restricted licence test; a 30 minute driving test on high and low speed roads.

Get help teaching them the practical skills

Assessing yourself

17 hours awake increases the risk as much as driving drunk

The way a teenager is feeling has a big impact on their decision making skills – leading to poor choices when driving. Consider:
  • emotions
  • fatigue/illness
  • alcohol/drugs
  • over-confidence.

Get some tools to help manage the risks

Reading the conditions

17 hours awake increases the risk as much as driving drunk

Experience is the best teacher for any driver, but it takes time to encounter all the different conditions. Identifying them in advance will help teens understand when to use extra caution, such as:
  • heavy traffic
  • loose/slippery surfaces
  • poor visibility
  • road works.

Get some tools to help manage the risks

Avoiding pressure to drive

Carrying passengers increases the risk of a crash over 10 times

It’s tempting to think a Restricted driver can help out by driving outside their licence conditions, which are:
  • carrying passengers
  • driving after curfew.

Get some tools to help manage the risks

Managing distractions

Staying in touch with mates is critical to teens, but it slows their reactions in emergencies. They need to learn how to stay focused on their driving rather than:

  • talking to passengers
  • calling or texting on the mobile
  • using music or gaming gadgets.

Get some tools to help them understand the risks

Trip planning

As they spread their wings your teen will start driving in unfamiliar places. Safety factors to think about include:

  • driving the safest car
  • unfamiliar routes
  • rushing to get there.

Get some tools to help manage the risks

Full licence

Just one more driving test for them to pass and then your job is done! The final test is to check your teen can handle a wide range of situations safely, including:

  • advanced driving skills
  • spotting and responding to hazards on built-up roads
  • spotting and responding to hazards on higher speed roads.

To pass they’ll need to have practised on a wide range of roads and kept up their hazard scanning routines. It’s a great excuse for you to get back in the car with them occasionally to practise for the test.

Restricted phase

The Restricted phase gives teens time to get experience driving alone. To protect them from two of the highest crash risks - night driving and carrying passengers - there are still some restrictions. They need a licensed driver with them when:

  • carrying passengers who haven’t had a full licence for more than 2 years
  • driving between 10pm and 5am.

After 18 months (or 12 if they’ve completed an approved course) they can sit the Full licence test.
Get some tools to help manage the risks