Parent Taught Driving Instruction – Tips from a Veteran

Some states now allow for parent-taught driving instruction as an alternative to a traditional classroom setting followed by behind-the-wheel instruction from an agency.  Having been through this now with three daughters, I have accumulated quite a nice checklist to follow in a logical, phased approach.  Even if your teenager follows the traditional instruction method at a driving school, you’ll almost certainly find yourself riding shotgun while your teenager has their learner’s permit.  Or maybe you want to double-check your kid’s readiness before you buy their first car or loan them your keys to go out on their own.  In any case, I’m hoping the checklists and ideas in these articles helpful.

In addition to the phased learning approach based on your kid’s readiness, I also have a checklist that has nothing to do with safely driving the car but rather taking care of the car itself.  This is a skill I’m afraid most of the current young generation isn’t being taught by their parents.  I’ve also provided my “golden rules of safe driving” checklist and a contract you can execute with your new teen driver to help demonstrate the seriousness of the responsibility.

Here’s the make up of the articles in this series:

• Before getting on the road
• Getting started
• Intermediate skill phase
• Ready for prime time
• Basic car maintenance
• Gordon’s golden rules of safe driving
• Driving contract

If you’re thinking about printing all of the blog posts to have with you in the car or to add notes to, I’ve saved you some time.  Instead, click this link to download a document with all articles embedded in sequence.

By the way, if you haven’t already purchased the driving instruction book or online course, check out Aceable.  It’s a mobile app that is designed for the current generation of kids.  It’s certified for use in multiple US states and was developed in a way that’s very engaging to the student driver.  MUCH better than a boring textbook or online screen-by-screen option.

Author: Gordon Daugherty

Gordon Daugherty is a best-selling author, seasoned business executive, entrepreneur, startup advisor and investor. He has made more than 200 investments in early-stage companies and has been involved with raising more than $80 million in growth and venture capital. From his 28-year career in high tech, Gordon has both an IPO and a $200-million acquisition exit under his belt. Now, as co-founder and president of Austin’s Capital Factory and as author of the book “Startup Success”, Gordon spends 100 percent of his time educating, advising, and investing in startups. View all posts by Gordon Daugherty