Handing the Car Keys to Your Teenager? What to Expect

As a parent you are faced with many concerns about the well-being of your children. There are many significant events that bring new changes and worries that can be difficult to deal with as a loving family member. One of these moments comes when your teenager decides to learn to drive, and you have to learn to trust them enough to let them hit the road on their own. With statistics from the NSW Legislation Roads and Maritime Services showing that drivers between the ages of 17-25 are more likely to be involved in accidents causing death or injury, it is a potentially dangerous moment in a young person’s life and can create a lot of stress for parents.

Getting a License

Throughout Australia, graduated licensing systems have been introduced to prolong the process of getting a licence as a young driver. It has been designed to ensure that young drivers are restricted in their driving to ensure they are confident and skilled before receiving a full licence. Young people must complete up to 100 hours of logged driving practice with an experienced driver before being awarded their “P” plates (probationary licence).

Once they are able to drive on their own, they are then faced with speed, alcohol consumption, and passenger and car restrictions that help protect them from potentially dangerous situations. In some states in Australia, young people are not allowed to drive with other young people in the car, unless there is someone over the age of 23 present. It is important that both you and your child know and follow the driving laws that apply within your state.

Be Well Insured

As much as we would like to avoid them, accidents do happen whether on the road or in the local carpark. It is important that you have adequate insurance for your car and driver. Looking into insurance, like car insurance at Budget Direct and others like it, offers an array of options on low rates to research and help you feel more comfortable about letting your child out on the road. Having insurance will save you all the headache of huge fees and licence suspensions for not having coverage.

Get Up to Speed

Throughout this process it is likely that you will be the one teaching your child how to drive, or at least providing guidance when they are completing their required driving practice. It is a good idea to consider taking a driving course yourself to ensure you are up to date with the latest procedures and driving practices.

Promote Safe Driving Practices

It is important to talk to your teenager about their driving habits and to encourage safe driving practices. When they first head out on the road, it is good to remind them to concentrate and to check how comfortable they feel about driving on their own. Remember, it is just as scary for them as it is for you. If both you and your teenager are confident in their driving abilities and follow some sensible precautions, this step in their transition into adulthood will be far less worrisome for everyone. The more knowledge and practice, the better.

This article was written by Kate Myers… Not your typical susie-homemaker, Kate won’t cook you dinner, but if your car stalls out, she will know exactly what’s wrong as soon as you start the ignition. She might not cook or clean but Kate will get you back on the road in no time.

83 Comments

- - yyon4699 said
  - 26 Nov 2013
    11:42 am
Yes… be well insured… THE most important part…lol

- - shazzajt said
  - 18 Nov 2013
    9:43 pm
my son is going to a a driving school and safety driving school.

- - meltingmoment said
  - 03 Nov 2013
    8:14 am
My 8 year old told me the other week it won’t be long before she can drive – true though. Time sure has flown the past 8 years.

- - missmanic said
  - 31 Oct 2013
    11:54 pm
Wow this is a scary thought lol

- - snoopy said
  - 31 Oct 2013
    1:40 pm
A very scarey thought indeed-hope they are better drivers than me.

- - chont said
  - 29 Oct 2013
    4:13 pm
ooh scary thought- glad we’re not at that stage yet

- - meimei said
  - 28 Oct 2013
    1:31 pm
Useful article – thank you for sharing.

- - coppin85 said
  - 20 Oct 2013
    12:13 pm
Ive got a little while yet..although it will go quick lol

- - ninigriff said
  - 02 Oct 2013
    4:07 pm
my teen is just starting the “L” plate its is very scary to think he is going to be driving

- - tinkz said
  - 29 Sep 2013
    8:50 am
I have only just got my l’s and im 28 but that was because i was in a dv relationship for 9 years and i’m finding it so expensive to try get my p’s as i have no one to teach me

- - omgjag31 said
  - 13 Sep 2013
    7:13 am
Wow I have to do this next year. Where did the time go
- kjgarner replied
  
  28 Sep 2013 , 5:30 pm
  Good luck for next year
- - kjgarner said
  - 05 Sep 2013
    2:52 pm
Talk with them first and make sure you are well insured for people under the age of 25

- - claret said
  - 31 Aug 2013
    7:27 pm
Arrrgh – the thought is terrifying… luckily I have at least 12 years to come around to them idea. And then I will call on my amazing dad to teach them to drive!

- - jaymarie12 said
  - 25 Aug 2013
    12:11 pm
Oh thank god my babies are under 2 I don’t have to stress about this for ages

- - earthlydelites said
  - 05 Aug 2013
    3:06 pm
I was never game enough to drive my parents cars! so I just saved up for one of my own, and even now I wouldn’t drive their cars!
- sallty replied
  
  25 Aug 2013 , 8:38 am
  I did my first drive in my mum’s car. Straight into a trolley ramp in the shopping centre car park. My first drive in mum’s car was also my last!
- - shazzbot said
  - 05 Aug 2013
    2:37 pm
Our eldest is currently on his L’s. Whenever I have to go out he drives, I am a bit nervous but he seems fairly relaxed with it. We waited until he turned 18 before he could get his L’s. I think 16 years old is way to young to start driving. I am not looking forward to when he gets his licence, there are to many crazy drivers on the road. I know there will be many sleepless nights.

- - a-edwards said
  - 25 Jul 2013
    2:17 pm
That’s a very trying time in life. I know I scared my parents
- rachkap replied
  
  02 Aug 2013 , 4:48 am
  Me too! I had a new found freedom that scared my Mother. I think she realised then that she had to let go!
  - meagan_cooper replied
    
    16 Aug 2013 , 6:46 am
    
    ha ha me too I think they still hold on tight when I drive now..
- - jenny9761 said
  - 22 Jul 2013
    3:20 pm
I am not looking forward to handing over the keys,

- - premmiemum said
  - 20 Jul 2013
    8:49 pm
I still have a while yet before I get to this stage but it worries me already.

- - mel1 said
  - 15 Jul 2013
    11:38 am
Our eldest is learning to drive. It is just as scary for her as it is for us and as she gets closer to completely her hours she seems to be more worried that she needs more time, so I think it will be a while until she gets her licence. Insurance for learners is incredibly expensive with the excess being $2,000!!!