The idea of putting your teenager behind the wheel of a car can be a daunting one for many parents. Rather than lock them away in their room until they're thirty, there are steps you can take to ensure they're as prepared as possible, and also provide you with some peace of mind. The driver's education courses offered by schools can vary by state, but there's nothing wrong with providing your child with some supplementary instruction on your own time.

Professional Driving Schools

Whether it's a lack of free time on your part, or you simply don't feel like you'd be able to provide impartial instruction, professional driving schools, like American Driving Academy, are available. Most offer a variety of different services, so you can pick and choose the type of extra help your teen receives. Whether it's additional classroom instruction, more time behind the wheel, or a combination of both, there's an option available to fit your needs and the needs of your child.

Expect to pay between $30 and $180 for classroom instruction, or between $50 and $150 for driving practice. These rates will vary based on how many students are enrolled, the number of hours offered, and the price of gas, so get a detailed explanation of the rates you're paying in advance. You may also pay more if the course you choose also includes state certified pre-tests or practice exams.

Parent-Child Instruction

If you have the time, and your child attends a school that offers a free driver's education program, it's always a good idea to provide some personal tutelage. Not only will this give you the opportunity to see just how your teen is progressing, but if there are gaps in the instruction or things you've learned from experience you'll have the chance to pass your own lessons on to your new driver. Moreover, there's a good chance that your teen's first solo driving experience will be in your car, so giving them a chance to get familiar with it will improve how they do in a driving exam.

If there are freeways near your home, this is also a good opportunity to introduce them to the intricacies of freeway driving. Most driving courses don't provide much exposure to this environment, but it's an important part of any driver's education. Your child is likely to be more at ease with you than with an instructor, so take advantage of this fact and make their introduction to freeways as gentle as possible.

Having a new driver in your home can be both convenient and nerve-wracking. Taking the extra steps necessary to ensure that your child is safe and well-informed will help them to be a better driver, and keep you from worrying every time they get behind the wheel.

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