May 18, 2016

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As some of the safest and most affordable vehicles on the market, Mazdas are ideal cars for first-time drivers. Teaching a teenager to drive can be stressful, but a driving lesson is only as good as the teacher. Make your lessons more effective and less stressful with these seven tips for teaching your teen to drive.

Stay Focused

When your teen is first learning the rules of the road, start by teaching her how to stay focused. As soon as she gets behind the wheel and buckles up, instruct her to keep her hands on the wheel at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock. Not only will this standard position give her more control over the car, but placing her hands in the same position every time also eliminates the need to rethink this key move. Remove additional distractions from the car by turning down the volume on smartphones and removing the devices from reach.

Start in a Less-Traveled Area

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When you’re ready to teach your teen basic driving techniques, don’t plan the first lesson on a major road. Instead, keep your teen and all fellow drivers safe by starting out in a less-traveled area. A large, empty parking lot or quiet neighborhood streets tend to be great options for first-time drivers.

Learn to Think Ahead

One of the most important things for teen drivers to learn is to think beyond the present moment. Over time, most drivers will adapt to road conditions, learn to anticipate what other drivers will do, and know how to steer out of dangerous situations quickly. In the meantime, teach your teen the 2-second rule, which involves maintaining a 2-second interval between his car and the one ahead.

Offer Positive Reinforcement

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Learning how to drive can be stressful, even under the best circumstances. While you’ll almost certainly have to correct your teen’s driving errors occasionally, try not to make them the focus. Instead, tell her when she’s made a smart move and why to offer positive reinforcement.

Develop Good Communication Skills

Good communication skills are key both on and off the road. When your teen is behind the wheel, however, he’ll need to learn how to communicate with other drivers. Start by reinforcing the importance of using a turn signal and brake lights, and teach your teen to use hand signals to convey when he wants to slow down or park. Remind him that when everyone is on the same page, the driving is much more pleasant for everyone on the road.

Practice Makes Perfect

Your teen might think she has the hang of driving after just a few times on the road. In reality, it often takes a dozen or more practice sessions before a teen driver is truly ready to tackle the road alone. Require that she practice in various weather conditions and on a number of different road types to feel confident in her ability to handle a vehicle while staying safe.

For the best selection of pre-owned and new Mazda models in Charlotte, head straight for Mazda of South Charlotte. From sedans to hatchbacks to crossovers, you’ll find exactly the Mazda you’re looking for.

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