A Parent's Guide for Parents of Teen Drivers

Information taken from The California State DMV's "Teen Training Guide"

The California State DMV's Teen training guide is a must-have for parents of students and teenagers that are preparing to drive. We highly recommend that any parent pick up a copy of the "Teen Training Guide" from their local California State DMV office.

In the next few pages you will find important information about the techniques that should be used when training your teen.

Teenage drivers get more tickets, and are also hurt and killed in greater numbers than other drivers.

To decrease these accidents, a special provisional type of license and instruction permit is issued to drivers under the age of 18. Minors may keep their license as long as they obey certain provisions. They must obey the traffic laws and drive without an accident. They must hold their permit longer (six months) and practice driving skills before the come to the DMV for their driving test.

If your teenager fails the law test, there is a one-week waiting period before retaking the test. If the driving test is failed he or she must wait two weeks before taking another.

Teenage drivers also have new restrictions for the first year after they are licensed. During the first six months, the teenager must be accompanied by his or her parent or guardian, a driver 25 years of age or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor when driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m., or if transporting people under the age of 20. During the second six months, the teenager must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older when driving between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. However, the teenager may transport passengers under age 20 without supervision between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and midnight.

Only instruction and hours of practice will make your child a good driver:
Driver training in school is crucial, but the hours you spend with your teenager behind the wheel will give them very important additional experience.

During the summer months, daylight hours sometimes extend until 9:30p.m. Schedule your practice sessions so that your student driver will have enough experience driving when it is dark and in different weather conditions. (The student should have at least 10 hours of night driving practice before taking a driving test.)

Please take time to familiarize yourself with everything in the California Driver Handbook before you begin your sessions. Your student has been studying that book in school and the DMV conducts driving tests based on the handbook.

Remember as a parent you may cancel the instruction permit or license at any time if you feel that your son or daughter is driving dangerously and/or irresponsibly.

What you teach your teenager should agree with what is taught by the driving instructor:
If you teach something differently than the instructor, your teenager will be confused and have a more difficult time learning to drive. If your teenager insists that your instructions are different from the teacher's, contact the teacher to be sure you are correct. For your student's sake, please do not teach shortcuts or improper procedures.

When teaching your student a skill make sure and follow these simple steps:

Read the directions for that skill in the student handbook, discuss these directions with your student, show your teenager the skill (such as backing-up) by doing it correctly yourself. Have your son or daughter practice the skill.

Children imitate their parents' behavior:
Set a good example whenever you drive. Obey all traffic laws. Be courteous and drive safely. Your teenager may follow your example. It's very important for your teenager's safety that you:

• Don't drive after drinking. Young people are more likely to drink and drive if their parents do.
• Use safety belts.

Talk to your teenager about drinking and driving. Driving gives most teenagers a feeling of freedom and independence. At a time when they are gaining independence they may have their first encounter with drugs and/or alcohol. Mixing drugs and/or alcohol with driving increases the chances of accidents and death. Let your teenager know how you feel about drinking and drugs and what you expect from him / her.

Starting To Practice With Your Student:

• Review your student's instruction permit. It may contain additional instructions.
• Practice only during the day and in a quiet area for the first lesson or two.
• Be familiar with the practice area and hazards, signs and signals.
• Be patient, sympathetic and understanding. Keep your voice calm.
• Sit in a position where you can grab the wheel or step on the brake if necessary.
• Stop practicing when your teenager becomes upset or tired.
• If you see a bad traffic situation ahead that your student can't handle, pull over and stop.

Practicing With Your Student:

• Give directions in a clear, calm voice well in advance; allow your student enough time to follow them.
• Tell your driver where you want something done BEFORE you say you want it done. For example, you should say, "At the next corner turn right." If you say, "Turn right at the next corner" your teenager might react before you've completed your instructions.
• When answering questions do not use the word "right" use the word "correct". The word "right" may be mistaken as a direction and may confuse your teenager.
• Avoid using only the word "stop" because it often panics students. Instead use "bring the car to a stop".

Tips For Your Teens DMV Tests:

Vision Test

• Make a morning appointment.
• Be rested after a good night's sleep.
• Bring your new glasses if you have recently had your prescription changed.
• Be sure the lenses are clean.
• Don't be nervous.

Law Test

• Make a morning appointment if possible.
• Have your student take a couple of days to study the California Driver Handbook.
• Read the questions carefully. Don't read anything extra into the questions. There will be only one correct answer.
• All questions are taken from the handbook.
• Your student is allowed to take three tests before a new application fee must be paid.
• If your student fails the law test, he / she must wait one week before they can re-take the test.

Driving Test

• Make a morning appointment if possible.
• Be sure your car is properly registered and bring proof of financial responsibility.
• Make sure you have signed your student's permit verifying the 50 hours of training.
• Be sure your student is thoroughly familiar with the car he / she will use for the driving test. They must know where all the controls are, and how to use them. Don't have your student borrow a car for the test. It will make them more nervous.
• Relax!
• If your student fails the driving test, they must wait two weeks before they can re-take the test.