Tools for Parents of Beginning Driver Students (Part 2)

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.

In our last chat, we discussed some tools available to the person accompanying a beginning driver so they can control the vehicle from the passenger seat, if required. In this article we will look at what you should cover in the first lesson in the car.

The beginning driver needs to know the parts of the vehicle and how the various pedals, levers, switches and lights help them control the vehicle and communicate with other drivers. Begin with a walk around the vehicle looking at the various exterior lights including brake lights, signal lights, park lights and headlights. Be aware of any safety issues. Point out the gas filler lid, the mirrors, the ways of opening the vehicle, etc. Promote the practice of doing a vehicle walk around before every time the driver gets in the vehicle. Then, have them sit in the driver’s seat and look at all the things on the dash, including the gear indicator display, headlight and signal lights indicators.

Identify the speedometer, the tachometer, the odometer and the tripmeter. Point out the pedals and what each does. It may be very basic, but say you turn the wheel counterclockwise to turn left and clockwise to turn right. Show how to adjust the seat and determine a comfortable position for the new driver in relation to the steering wheel, the peddles and visibility out the windshield. Point out the inside and outside mirrors and how to adjust them so the driver gets the best view out the rear and on the sides of the vehicle. This could be a good time to mention that there are blind spots around the car and use the mirror adjustment to illustrate and minimize this. Introduce the concept of shoulder checks where one looks over their shoulder in the direction that they intend to move the vehicle. This is an especially important habit when lane changing as it ensures nothing is in that blind spot. Show how the rearview mirror can be adjusted to avoid glare from vehicle headlights behind you at night. Before moving on, take this opportunity to put on the seatbelt and adjust it, chat about the law requiring everyone in the vehicle to wear a seatbelt and how seatbelts are the best tool for staying inside the vehicle in a crash. Seatbelts do save lives.

Demonstrate how the signal lever works, how normally it returns to the off position after a turn but that you may have to manually turn it off on occasion. Highlight how the headlights work on your vehicle and how you dim them or put them on high beam and how there is alight on the dash that indicates high beam usage. Point out the gas gauge and how there is an arrow on most gas gauges to indicate on which side of the vehicle the gas filler lid is located. Point out any other features specific to your vehicle noting any unique characteristics, like a touchy brake or throttle or warning lights that flash.

If you have knowledge about the mechanics of a vehicle, show how to open the hood, point out the various components including the various fluid levels, how to check the oil, windshield wash etc. and how to secure the hood closed again. Point out proper tire pressure, where the jack and spare tire are located. Draw their attention to any other features of your vehicle that they should be aware of. Things like warning lights for tire pressure, icy conditions, ABS brakes are the things that could scare a new driver should they be unaware of them. In general, use this first lesson to become comfortable with the vehicle. Let them review the owner’s manual as it will explain many features of the vehicle of which even you may not be familiar. With your vehicle in an area where it has space from other vehicles or objects, and after your beginning driver has explored the vehicle, show them how to depress the brake, put the key in the ignition or use the keyless ignition system, start the vehicle and put it in the various gears. While keeping the foot on the brake, put it back in park and take the foot gently off the pedal and turn off the engine. These are simple steps, but don’t assume your child will know all of this until they demonstrate that they do.

This is a good time to establish some key words for when you begin driving. Make sure the new driver knows the difference in their left and their right. Also, when you are responding to a question use “correct” not “right” as that can be misinterpreted. Simple words like slow-down, speed-up, you are tailgating, I am taking the wheel for a second, I got it, are things you both need to agree upon before you start driving.

In our next chat, we will discuss a few simple activities to become familiar with maneuvering the vehicle. Think about anything you would have wanted to know when you started driving and share that. Ask your beginning driver if they have any questions or concerns and attempt to address them before the next lesson. Before the next lesson, ensure there is a NOVICE DRIVER sign poster in the left side of the rear window. I saw a vehicle a while ago that had NOVICE DRIVER in the left side and NERVOUS PARENT in the right side. Don’t do that, even if you are tempted.

Until next time, stay safe!