Q&A for How to Teach Somebody How to Drive

With good and proper instruction, 1 to 3 full days of tuition may be enough for an attentive student to learn the basics of operating a car effectively. However, it takes a lot longer for the "muscle memory" and "situational awareness" of driving as a skill to sink in, involving not only mastering the mechanisms of the car but also aligning the driving actions with concentrating on the road, heeding traffic, watching for and appropriately reacting to hazards and learning defensive driving skills, etc. This is why most jurisdictions require a minimum amount of training hours before it is considered that you actually know how to drive. Just remember––driving isn’t just about the car itself, it’s about being a good road user and staying safe.

The best way to start is to find out what the local road rules are and learn these, then sit the learner’s test that will enable you to actively learn the necessary driving skills. Next, decide who will instruct you ––family, friends or paid instructors? Each teacher has benefits and drawbacks, such as time availability, emotional toll and financial costs. It's important to learn from someone you feel comfortable with and who has the competency and patience to teach you correctly, as it's crucial to learn good driving techniques and habits from the outset.

This will depend on your jurisdiction's regulations concerning the teaching of driving but usually the person instructing must have a full driver’s license and have a set level of years of driving experience (often it's a minimum of 3 years). There may be other requirements, such as proof of eyesight suitability. The learner's permit documentation should clarify the requirements for the person sitting with the learner driver, or ask the office issuing your learner's permit or your local transport department to confirm these for you.

Provided you have a full driver’s license and you feel confident about teaching driving skills, most jurisdictions allow a fully licensed, responsible adult to teach others to drive. Before teaching driving, besides having a full license and being competent driving, also consider: Your own anxiety levels when driving, as anxiety can be exacerbated when teaching someone as yet unable to drive; the insurance coverage on your car––does it cover a learner driver?; and the suitability of the learning area for a learner driver (choose somewhere not too busy, not too tricky and preferably familiar to the learner). As long as your own competence in driving and confidence in teaching driving skills match up, then it's fine to consider teaching someone to drive.

If you allowed the neighbor's child to drive your car, then it's your insurance.

It has nothing to do with gender. As long as the person is an experienced driver, they can teach their child how to drive. If you're both experienced drivers, then whoever wants to or has more time can do it, or you can both practice with your child at different times. Also, if one of you is more calm and patient than the other, that person would be a better teacher.

Learning to drive is all about trust. They need to trust you to show them the right way to drive and you need to trust that they will listen and do the right things. Establish the basics with them and rules about where they can go when you're teaching (for example, no freeway yet) before you get into the car. Build trust on both sides to make this a pleasant experience for you and your kids.

It depends on your state's laws, so you should check with your local DMV to find out.

Teach early in the morning or late at night in a empty parking lot.

Some people will pick it up faster than others, so it depends. Most will have gotten the basics after the first couple of sessions, but it takes quite a while to get down all the details and nuances. A good baseline is 40 hours of practice. Any less, and you won't truly teach them how to drive.

If she is a beginner, no, it would be best not to have the radio on so she can focus completely on her driving and any instructions you need to give her. If you've already practiced driving on the highway a number of times and she's comfortable with it, then it might be okay.

Practice in a wide open parking lot where there isn't anything to run into until she's comfortable. Also, make sure she's only driving with one foot instead of two.

No. You need a permit to drive with an adult in the vehicle, which in the U.S. you have to be at least 15 to get. You need a license to drive alone, and you have to be at least 16 to get that.

A licensed adult (someone who is at least 21 years old) can teach someone how to drive in Arizona.

Early morning so it's light out but stores aren't open yet. Empty parking lots are great places to learn to drive in.

Yes, you can adjust the seat's position to give yourself a better view. You may need to purchase a cushion to sit on as well.

It is not necessary, but you could do it if you want. Only add one if you think that it would help the other users of the road and keep them from getting frustrated.

It depends on your schedules and your temperments. Anywhere from 1 to 3 hours is usually appropriate.

No, just your drivers license.

Yes.

Yes, you may practice that way.

Well, yes. The person offered to pay you, so just come to an agreement on a fair price.

No, your child needs to get a permit before you teach him/her to drive.

Avoid getting upset or yelling at her, as this will make the driving stressful for both yourself and her, likely causing more mistakes and a possible accident. Instead, calmly point out errors and why they are important - e.g. stopping at a stop sign lets you see it is clear to go, and lets the other cars go. If she keeps making mistakes, just keep pointing them out calmly, and practice in low-traffic areas until you both feel you can drive in populated areas safely.

Yes, its required by law to display "L plates" when teaching a learner to drive - this allows other drivers to be aware of mistakes that may happen in the learning process. Ideally, other drivers will be more forgiving and courteous of learner drivers by giving them more space on the road and being more understanding of small errors.

Not really, basic directions for turning you could say are: turn right, turn left, and U-Turn. Using any other words or gesturing (e.g. "this way, that way") will very likely confuse the learner driver and possibly cause an accident. Decide on what terms you want to use before you even start driving.

As long as the brakes are still functioning as intended, and the car is registered and considered "road-worthy", it is legal. However, if the brakes have worn to the point where they cannot adequately slow down, stop, or otherwise control the car, then it is Illegal, regardless of the driver.

That depends on your country and state road laws. Regardless, it isn't really recommended to teach someone to drive before they have reached the designated legal age, as there may be other technicalities involved, such as insurance issues should you be involved in an accident.

No, unless he/she is about to collide or severely injure people or cars. It is never a good idea to shout when teaching, people understand what you say better when you are calm.

Do small adjustments to the steering wheel. Try to keep an eye on the road 20 meters ahead (60 feet) as well as looking for a fraction of a second at closer points.