Tools for Parents of Beginning Driver Students (Part 1)

From Lloyd Hobbs, Vice-president of Programs, SafetyNL

The contents of these articles are suggestions. Do not attempt any maneuver that you or the student driver are uncomfortable attempting.

We are all dealing with the new reality of the Covid-19 physical distancing. Unfortunately for many young people, they were part way through their beginning driver education program when we were forced to postpone further training. It has been a month and we are still waiting to hear from health officials as to when life may return to normal. But, most of us know it is going to be some time before we can meet again in a classroom or in a vehicle for training. Driver examining is placed on hold at the Department of Motor Registration and no written tests, eye exams or road tests are being administered.

We recognize that our present students and others who have a beginner’s permit want to get some skills in driving while awaiting a return to normal life. Many will want their parents to take them out driving so they can be prepared for a road test when that service resumes. However, many parents are nervous about taking them out. This article is intended to give parents some information to help ease that stress. In future articles, we will look at what topics to cover when driving. From the start we want to remind everyone that there is a 0% tolerance by the law in this province for both the beginning driver and the accompanying driver where a novice driver permit is being used.

Because you do not have a second brake, as in driver training cars, you may feel helpless when your child is behind the wheel and you are in the passenger seat. But you still have many tools at your disposal. Before you start, discuss with the new driver that you will be constantly talking to them and helping them identify dangers but that you will gradually stop doing that and let them make decisions on their own. But at the start, you want them to listen to you and to communicate with you. Do not intervene unless it is to avoid an incident, but make it clear to the beginning driver that if you see a need you will intervene in their driving. You should be prepared to take the wheel from them and steer the car should that need arise. Second, most vehicles have a parking brake in the console between the two front seats. You can activate that to slow the vehicle as needed. Third, the gear shifter is within your reach, and if the beginning driver does not take the foot off the gas as needed or instructed, you can push upwards on the shifter and the vehicle will go into neutral. Again, use the hand brake to stabilize the vehicle. You should experiment with these strategies while you are behind the wheel before you let your beginning driver sit in the driver’s seat so you know how the vehicle will respond to your interventions. Once you see that these strategies do work, you will be ready to take the new driver out for a lesson.

It is only natural that there will be some tension between you and the new driver. Afterall you are both going to be looking at driving from different perspectives. If you are comfortable and calm, it will help the new driver to be as well. As previously said, in our next chat, we will discuss some activities for the first driving lesson. Until then, make yourself comfortable with the things we have just discussed so you are calm when you sit in the passenger seat.