[yakuza70]

I've been volunteered to teach my 18 year old niece to drive (actually I don't mind at all). We'll be using my sister's car (2007 Mazda 6) - no not my own BMW! I was thinking of taking her out to an empty business complex parking lot to start out to get a feel for driving a vehicle in a safe place.

Any tips or advice from any 1Addicts that have taught a teen to drive before?

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by yakuza70

I've been volunteered to teach my 18 year old niece to drive (actually I don't mind at all). We'll be using my sister's car (2007 Mazda 6) - no not my own BMW! I was thinking of taking her out to an empty business complex parking lot to start out to get a feel for driving a vehicle in a safe place.

Any tips or advice from any 1Addicts that have taught a teen to drive before?

First thing: 1. Drive her into the complex, somewhere there is 360 degrees of unobstructed area around perimeter of the car.

2. Grab several (at least six) pencils and place her in the driver seat with engine off in park and windows down---so she can hear you while your remain outside the car.

3. Help her adjust the seat and mirrors accordingly and install safety belt.

4. While she is in the driver's seat as if driving, walk around the four corners of the vehicle.

5. Start with the front and place the pencil on the ground on the driver's side front about 8' from car. Keep sliding pencil on the ground closer and closer to the car and confirm she can see the pencil each time.

6. Once she cannot see the pencil on the ground from the driving position, move it back until she can see the pencil.

7. Repeat this process for the front center and right front.

8. For the rear, have your niece use the left side-view, rear view, and right side-view mirrors. Place the pencils or other bright objects as close to rear of the car as possible before they disappear from sight (while using the rear mirrors, one pencil for each mirror).

9. By now you probably know what's next. Have your niece step out of the car and walk around the entire car looking at all 6 pencils. If she is mature enough to drive, your niece will be shocked at size of the area of blind spot. Most kids are shocked at how far away the pencils are from the car as initially they'd thought the pencils were close.

The lesson: Always walk around your car before driving off looking for children and other objects.

If the driver-to-be fails to understand the test or the lesson it teaches, then it's time to put the car away for six months and let the kid mature before handing them the keys for a training session.

With driving comes great responsibility. Judging the kids reaction to this test is more important than understanding blind spots.

Don't be afraid to stop the teaching session and tell the child, "I am really sorry, but you aren't ready to learn how to drive yet" if the student appears to blow off or dismiss the critical understanding of this test.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by BMWrules7

First thing: 1. Drive her into the complex, somewhere there is 360 degrees of unobstructed area around perimeter of the car.

2. Grab several (at least six) pencils and place her in the driver seat with engine off in park and windows down---so she can hear you while your remain outside the car.

3. Help her adjust the seat and mirrors accordingly and install safety belt.

4. While she is in the driver's seat as if driving, walk around the four corners of the vehicle.

5. Start with the front and place the pencil on the ground on the driver's side front about 8' from car. Keep sliding pencil on the ground closer and closer to the car and confirm she can see the pencil each time.

6. Once she cannot see the pencil on the ground from the driving position, move it back until she can see the pencil.

7. Repeat this process for the front center and right front.

8. For the rear, have your niece use the left side-view, rear view, and right side-view mirrors. Place the pencils or other bright objects as close to rear of the car as possible before they disappear from sight (while using the rear mirrors, one pencil for each mirror).

9. By now you probably know what's next. Have your niece step out of the car and walk around the entire car looking at all 6 pencils. If she is mature enough to drive, your niece will be shocked at size of the area of blind spot. Most kids are shocked at how far away the pencils are from the car as initially they'd thought the pencils were close.

The lesson: Always walk around your car before driving off looking for children and other objects.

If the driver-to-be fails to understand the test or the lesson it teaches, then it's time to put the car away for six months and let the kid mature before handing them the keys for a training session.

With driving comes great responsibility. Judging the kids reaction to this test is more important than understanding blind spots.

Don't be afraid to stop the teaching session and tell the child, "I am really sorry, but you aren't ready to learn how to drive yet" if the student appears to blow off or dismiss the critical understanding of this test.

This is a great idea.

[CJ421]

Empty parking lot is a great idea. Seating position is key, I use this video from Porsche as gospel for seating positions.

Another thing is 'eyes up' - don't just look at the road in front of the car. Look as far ahead along the car's intended path as possible.

I think the worst thing you could do to a new driver is give them too much info; it's already going to be an overwhelming experience. Perhaps teach the [very] basics - just get her doing standard maneuvers (turning, coming to a stop gradually, use of turn signals). Give them a few days to digest the info, then do another session.

[yarviinn]

Take her to the highway. It will give her so much confidence afterwards.



My stupid driving instructor did that to me.

[wisesoul]

Originally Posted by yarviinn

Take her to the highway. It will give her so much confidence afterwards.



My stupid driving instructor did that to me.

I was thrown in the deep end too. Started on the side streets, and eventually my dad told me to hop on the freeway even when I wasn't comfortable doing it lol. Maybe practice in the parking lot, go on a street with light traffic to see her driving instincts, and when you feel comfortable, have her hop a freeway to refine what she's learned.