Communicating with a Beginning Driver Please use the Play button in the lower left hand corner of the video screen. No   one   is   going   to   suggest   that   there   are easy     rules     for     communicating     with     a teenager,    especially    when    you    are    doing something   stressful   like   helping   them   learn to   drive.      The   truth   is,   though,   that   the   way parents/guardians     act     can     make     a     big difference to the way teenagers respond. Experienced   drivers   forget   just   how   scary   and   confusing   it   for   the   beginner   who   is   learning   to drive.      Do   not   assume   that   the   learner   driver   understands   or   even   remembers   everything   they were   taught   in   class   or   in   their   driving   lesson.      Start   off   in   a   safe   place   and   check   that   the learner   knows   how   to   start,   stop   and   handle   the   car   safely.      Prepare   the   learner   for   some   of the   hazards   they   will   meet   on   the   road:   pedestrians,   bicycles,   speeders,   tailgaters,   drivers   who turn and change lanes without signaling. Directions,   constructive   criticism   and   praise   are   all   good,   but   remember   that   the   learner   is concentrating    hard    on    managing    the    vehicle.        Too    much    talking    is    distracting.        Keep      conversations about school, sports, and other current events for later.  Unexpected   events   will   happen   -   the   learner   will   make   a   mistake   or   another   driver   will   run   a stop   sign   or   pull   out   in   front   without   leaving   enough   room.      Avoiding   collisions   in   these situations   is   all   part   of   defensive   driving,   but   the   supervising   driver   is   now   defensively   driving from   the   passenger’s   seat.      Be   ready   to   assist   when   a   dangerous   situation   occurs,   and   when   it is   safe,   pull   over   to   the   side   of   the   road   and   take   a   deep   breath.      It   isn’t   easy,   but   as   much   as possible,   avoid   yelling   and   lectures.      Discuss   the   situation   and   make   sure   you   get   the   learner driver’s   point   of   view   about   how   to   avoid   mistakes   or   stay   safe   when   another   driver   makes   a mistake - the learner will remember more that way.