Whether your teenager has passed their driving test or they’ve completed their CBT and can take to the road on a motorcycle, you’ll want to help to travel as safely as possible.
As a parent, ensuring the safety of your children is important at any age – but during their transition onto the road you’ll want the added peace of mind that you’ve prepared them as much as possible.
From teaching safe driving and going over important rules, to ensuring they have comprehensive insurance and always have emergency numbers to hand – there’s more you can do than you might initially think. Here are our top three tips to safely help your teen get on the road.
1. Find a vehicle
During the process of learning to drive or ride a motorcycle, you’re likely to have had discussions with your teen about the vehicle they’ll get once they pass their test. If you’re in a position to be able to help your child with the purchase of their first vehicle, you can ensure that you look for something that is safe as an absolute minimum.
In general, the newer a vehicle, the safer it is but, if you’re looking for second-hand options, check its NCAP safety rating and service history to understand the bigger picture.
Of course, not all parents have the spare cash to be able to buy their teenager a car, motorbike or moped, and that’s nothing to be concerned about. With the right insurance model you’ll be able to add your teen onto your vehicle as a named driver.
2. Invest in the right insurance
Ensuring your teenager has the right package of insurance for their circumstances and the vehicle they’re driving or riding is so important. Finding reasonably priced insurance that offers benefits for your first-time driver can be tough. However, there are incredible options available, that offer specifically tailored insurance for young motorbike riders and young drivers that tick all the boxes.
A plan for your teen should cover a few things, such as:
- Breakdown cover
- Accessible (preferably 24hr) claims team
- Personal injury cover
- Insurance for helmet and protective clothing (if finding motorbike insurance)
There are many features of an insurance plan, some are essential and some are simply attractive add ons. It’s good practice to research what makes good insurance before you make the decision – and choosing this policy can prove to be good life experience for a teenager too.
Ensure they have the necessary emergency numbers to hand – including that of their insurer – should they need to call on them in a hurry.
3. Go for extra training and reinforce the rules of the road
Passing a test doesn’t automatically make for an experienced driver, so it’s always a good idea to look for further training. Courses such as PassPlus are a great way to advance driving skills, and help your teen cope better in a variety of situations.
Advanced courses of driving can help with:
- Motorway driving
- Driving at night
- Challenging weather conditions
If your teen is a fast learner, they might have passed their driving test after a few lessons and this means they could have missed out on practising in certain conditions. Advanced training adds an extra layer of experience, helps them to become more confident and, in turn, safer on the roads.
Advanced training isn’t just for car drivers, either – there are a number of course options for motorcycle riders, too.
Before your teen heads out onto the road, it’s also a good idea to go over a few rules – from being mindful of driving speeds and safety issues such as mobile phone usage or even radio volume. This is not to say it’s a good idea to lecture your teenager – it’s just a really good idea to have a few gentle conversations with them to ensure they always have safety in mind.
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