A parent’s guide to supporting new drivers
Published 4 December 2024
Last updated 4 December 2024
In this blog we'll explore some great ways to help your children drive safely as they transition to independent driving.
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While many parents feel proud when their children pass their driving test, it can also bring a sense of anxiety about their newfound independence on the road.
Concerns about dangerous driving, distractions, inexperience, and the risk of accidents make it natural to feel uneasy about your child driving solo.
To help parents (and young drivers!) feel more at ease, the insurance experts at Marmalade have given us their top tips for supporting new drivers.
Teach good driving habits
Encouraging new drivers to pick up good driving habits is one of the best ways to ease parental concerns.
Remind them to avoid distractions like eating, adjusting the radio, talking to passengers, or using their phone. Suggest they use driving modes or "do not disturb" settings to silence notifications and ensure they set their sat nav and music before starting the car. Once on the road, the safest place for their phone is in the glove box.
Lead by example
Ask yourself, are you a good role model in the car?
New drivers are often influenced by the examples set by their parents. If you’re a safe, sensible driver, the chances are that they’ll be the same.
Encourage your child to be conscious of other cars on the road. If you leave a safe separation distance between your car and the one in front, they will be more likely to do the same. That way, if something happens, they have enough time to react.
Promote the advantages of experience
By spending some time driving with you, on different types of roads and in a variety of weather conditions, your child will gain valuable experience. Lack of experience is often the leading cause of road accidents involving teenagers, so set aside a regular time to go out together.
Remember, it’s important that you stay patient. Highlight the positives of the drive and air any constructive criticism in a relaxed tone, as doing so will help improve their skills and confidence.
If they need a little more help, do not be afraid to recommend taking extra lessons with an approved driving instructor (ADI). Some ADIs offer the pass plus scheme. This covers driving in different conditions, such as driving at night, motorway driving, navigating rural roads, and much more.
Alternatively, visit the Safe Driving for Life Shop and sign up for The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving eLearning course. Written by traffic psychologist and safe driving expert Dr Lisa Dorn, it’s packed full of strategies designed to help every driver become a better, safer driver.
Getting to know the vehicle
Most modern cars are equipped with safety features such as lane assist, collision alerts, emergency braking and speed alerts. But many drivers have them turned off or are simply unaware of these features.
Helping your child to have a solid understanding of their vehicle’s features (and spending time demonstrating how to use them safely) can be extremely beneficial. However, you should remind them that they must never rely on safety features to steer them out of trouble. They must always be aware of the road and traffic conditions and be ready to respond at any time. For more information on in-vehicle technology and how it affects the way people drive, see The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving.
Make sure you know the highway code
Years of experience make driving feel like second nature. But, to pass on good practice, it’s a good idea to make sure you are also up to date with the rules of the road
Go back to basics and review The Official Highway Code together. This will help both of you to feel comfortable and confident the next time you’re out on the road.
Look at the data
Get a Black Box and try to encourage your child to show you how they’re performing. This will let you identify and work on any problems together.
Black boxes monitor things like speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, and mobile phone use. Often black box insurance policies allow young drivers to use an app which shows when they’ve driven well, or not so well.
Demonstrate the money-saving benefits
Safe driving can protect both your life and your wallet. If you've ever received a quote for a young driver or tried adding them to your insurance, you may have been surprised by the cost.
The trick is to understand how choosing the right policy can make driving more affordable.
For example, a clean driving record with no accidents might mean that insuring inexperienced drivers becomes cheaper over time. Do not be shy to remind them that the long-term benefits of safe driving far outweigh any temptation to impress their friends.
Teach them what to do if things go wrong
If they’re involved in a collision, the last thing you want is for your child to panic. Instead, teach them to remain calm, assess their surroundings, and call for help. They should gather essential information, such as the licence and insurance details of the other drivers involved, and contact their insurance company. Keeping their own details in the car will ensure they are easily accessible. Taking photos is also a good idea.
Encourage them to wear their seatbelt
Seatbelts are by far the best way for drivers to stay safe in the event of an accident. Despite this, many young drivers admit to not wearing theirs.
Whilst collision alerts and lane assist technology can be useful, wearing seat belts saves lives.
To protect your child and ease your anxiety, make sure you discuss the importance of always wearing a seat belt.
And finally…
Remember to go over any feedback from the examiner and final tips from your child’s ADI. They both want the same as you do; your child to be a safe driver!
From their very first lesson, you've been there through the highs and lows of their driving journey. Now that they have their freedom, it's important to stay calm, supportive, and aware that this is a big a step for them, as it is for you.
