Summer is the time to hit the road, but if you have a new driver on your hands it might be scary to let them take on the busy roads. Although the road tends to be more congested during the summer months, doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to teach young drivers. In fact, bringing them out on the busier roads (when they’re ready, of course), will allow them to practice and get used to driving on main roads. If you’re nervous to do this, we suggest looking into a driving course where a professional can do it. However, whether your new driver will be hitting the road with you or an instructor, there are a few things to keep in mind as a parent of a teen driver. Kids pick up a lot of things, they learn from experience, and if they see you drive distracted, chances are they will too. The best way to teach your child safe driving is actually driving safely. What do we mean? Well, below out find a handful of helpful things to remember when driving with a teen driver. We suggest taking a few minutes to check them out before hitting the road.

Demonstrate good driving behavior early:

Kids pick up on a lot and whether you notice or not, they started copying you when they were babies. So it’s no surprise they mimic your behavior behind the wheel. Be more conscious when you’re driving, keep both hands on the wheel, try not to fidget with the radio too much and definitely don’t use your phone AT ALL!! Think of yourself as a road role model and act exactly as you would want them to behind the wheel.

It’s okay to let a pro teach them:

Let’s face it some of us just can’t do it and that doesn’t make you a bad parent, if anything thing, realizing you don’t have the patience to teach your child the proper way to drive but giving them an opportunity where they can learn, makes you an awesome parent! And taking part in Driver’s Ed could actually save you some money on auto insurance! SCORE!

Set realistic boundaries:

It might seem like it sometimes but kids actually crave boundaries and rules. I know you’re thinking I’m crazy right? Well wrong. Kids don’t know the right and wrong thing to do in certain situations, that’s why it is important you set rules for them so they know. So it’s important to set rules and boundaries for the new driver, whether it be no more than two friends in the car, or not going more than 20 miles at least for the first couple of months. Be realistic, but lay the rules down early on. This could help avoid a fight later down the road, which ends with them saying “Well you never said that wasn’t okay!” And they wouldn’t be wrong because you didn’t’!

Talk to them about the risks of driving… not just drinking and driving:

You’ve probably been talking to your kids about the risk of drinking a driving since forever because that’s what you were taught. Yes, that is very important to talk about but don’t forget about the risk of distracted driving. Today’s kids are consumed with technology now we’re in a world of Smartphones, tablets, Smartwatches, satellite radio, and who knows what else technology is on the horizon! That means countless new distractions for drivers, young and old. So let them know exactly how dangerous it can be to drive distracted, not just drunk.

Share driving responsibilities

Every new drive needs practice, so give it to them! Split the driving responsibility, whether that means running to the grocery store, Picking up their little brother from practice, or even going to a friends house. It might be a little at first but the only way they will get better is by practicing. Plus it takes some responsibility off your plate which is always a good thing!

Being a parent to a new driver can be a rough time, but I promise you will get through it! It can be an exciting, sad, and scary time, but remember you watched them grow up and conquer everything else that was thrown at them, they can do this and so can you!