Article: Most states have specific requirements for a learner's permit: a driving student must have completed a certain amount of written driver's education, and (in some places) some hours at an accredited driving school as well. In most places, a learner's permit allows its holder to practice driving during specific times of the day, and in the presence of an older licensed driver. It's totally natural to be nervous about teaching your child to drive. If you're tense and snappy throughout the process, though, your teen will sense that, and it will not reflect well in their driving. Do your best to be kind and calm, especially if you're naturally a nervous driver. Be aware of your body language as well as your words. If you sense yourself balling up your fists or tensing your shoulders, try to relax them. Remember that your child has a learner's permit; they already know quite a bit about the mechanics and safety of driving. You don't have to recite the Driver's Ed textbook at them. You only need to help them practice. This is a classic for good reason. With plenty of space and no one to get in the way, a parking lot is a great setting for low-pressure lessons. Plan to have your first lesson together here on a clear, sunny day. Try to avoid doing this in the cold--ice has a way of making an easy lesson difficult. On your way to the parking lot for the first lesson, point out to your teen what you're doing, and why. Are you accelerating? Why are you stopping? Who has the right of way at this intersection? Stop the car, remove the keys, then switch seats with your child. This may be their first time behind the wheel of a non-driver's-school car, so give them a moment to adjust. Encourage your child to start the car. Pick out a nearby marker (like a trash can or light post). Then tell them to drive in a straight line in the direction of the object, then stop. Next, have them try reversing a few feet. Encourage your teen to circle slowly, both clockwise and counterclockwise. Then try making corners, instead of smooth circles. Even though there's no one else in the parking lot, make sure your teen is using the turn signals. Be careful not to do "doughnuts" (tight, skidding loops): they are dangerous, and you and your teen could get in trouble. Driving can be stressful, and a long lesson will wear on both of you. Try to cap your time at fifteen or twenty minutes--you can always come back to practice later in the week.
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Make sure your teen has a learner's permit. Take a deep breath. Locate a quiet parking lot. Narrate your driving. Check that the parking lot is empty. Start with straight lines. Do some simple loops. Keep the first lesson short.