Hi we are here to talk about getting a drivers license. We're hoping that your teenager has already had some experience behind a wheel; a tractor around their yard or on a dirt road with you on Easter Sunday, my dad used to do that when we were kids, where we were 12, 13. He would give us a chance to drive, at first we were on his lap, so he managed the pedals and we would steer. We got use to the idea of being in control of a vehicle, that's a really good idea to do that.
If you live in a place where that's possible, I wouldn't take them out on a state highway or even on a road that's in the middle of town to do that, because I don't think the police would approve of this. But you do have opportunities, even if it's in your driveway, let them back up and go forward, just to get use to it. Have them sitting in the passenger's seat with the seatbelt on and with one hand they can sort of feel how the steering wheel affects the movement of the vehicle.
Then of course you've got drivers ed, it's important for them to do drivers ed even if they've been driving since they were 12 like my son has. He has a go cart, he's had a lot of practice but I am still hoping that he will go to drivers ed and get in the number of hours that are required and try to give them a chance to drive every time you are able to with a driver's permit, a learners permit so that they get used to driving the car before they actually get their license. It's really a very important skill in life to be able to drive safely and you know what happens when they get to age 18, 19, 21, they're drinking and you've got to teach them safety around cars and drinking and all that.
You yourself should obviously never get behind the wheel of the car if you have been drinking, and let your kid know that when the kids die behind the wheel of a car that, that's what happens when you drink and drive. Keep them safe, get them smart.
