Learning to drive can be worrying for parents

W e understand that when your child learns to drive it can be traumatic to realize they are old enough to drive and a worrying time.  It isn't necessarily the actual lessons, but more about what happens afterward they pass their driving test.

The test is just one small hurdle in their driving career, so should not be viewed as the final goal and the end of their training and progress.

For young 17 or 18 year olds, getting their licence means getting their freedom.  Whilst they couldn't be happier, you, on the other hand, couldn't be more nervous.

Obvious questions will cross your mind such as;

How will they cope on their own? Did their instructor really show them everything that was important, or just the odd test route and manoeuvre? How will they cope with peer pressure when they have friends in the car with them? And do they really understand the risks involved in their actions?

So parents, if you are considering handing responsibility to a third party for your child's well being and development, consider what's best and make sure you take an interest. 

Karen's School of Motoring driving instructors see that learning to drive should be a shared experience, obviously between student and teacher but recognise learning will continue to develop outside the classroom when the parents are involved.

This joint learning environment will encourage a beneficial outcome and help in achieving agreed targets set in the car.

Have you ever taught or considered teaching your children to drive?

If the answer is yes, you wouldn't be alone as increasing numbers of teenage learner drivers are turning to the "Mum and Dad driving school" as they find professional lessons too expensive. 

Although learner drivers are increasingly seeking to keeps costs down by relying on 'freebie' tuition from family and friends it might not necessarily be cost effective and not always as straightforward as it seems.

Taking a stressful situation and adding in arguments, bad behaviour and family friction can mean it becomes a nightmare for all involved. 

"When it comes to electrics I pay a professional so I don't kill someone but when my children learn to drive I do it myself to save money."

Earlier, I asked the question, have you ever taught or considered teaching your children to drive?" but the question should have been, Why are you considering teaching or why have you taught your children to drive?

As parents, we would like to consider ourselves as role models for our children based on our experiences morals and attitude. 

After all, as adults we have accumulated a foundation of life experiences and knowledge that may include family responsibilities, and previous education. 

All this said, I wouldn't dream of teaching any of these skills to anybody else, let alone the people I care about most.  This would be left to the specialist in the given subject. 

Parents can rest assured that our driving instructors have your children's best interests at heart and are keen to make sure their development will help them keep safe through their diving career.