If you’re the parent of a young person who is just embarking on a motoring career, then you might be tempted to teach them yourself. At the very least, you can give them a considerable advantage by simply taking them out to practice what they’ve learned in their formal lessons.
Doing this legally means bearing in mind a few essential considerations. Legality aside, however, there are a few practical tips worth bearing in mind, too.
Legal and regulatory essentials
Before a person is legally entitled to drive on public roads, they must apply for a provisional driver’s license. To do this, they must be at least seventeen years old. The person acting as a supervisor for practice sessions must also satisfy a few key conditions. They must, for example, have held a full driver’s license for at least three years, and be older than twenty-one.
It’s illegal for the supervisor to use a mobile phone while the car is in motion. Driving on a motorway is also forbidden – which makes it a good idea to get some motorway experience as soon as possible after the full license has been acquired.
Planning and structuring practice sessions
How often should you practice? Generally speaking, it’s best for sessions to be as frequent as possible. This gives the brain a chance to assimilate what’s being practised, during sleep. Weekly sessions are better than sporadic, monthly ones.
It’s often a good idea to form targets, and to tackle a specific aspect of driving in each session. You might look into clutch control one week, and roundabouts the next. Focus on weaknesses, and review progress every now and then.
The practical test has undergone a few changes lately. It’s worth being aware of them, should you wish to practice for the day itself.
Safety mindset, environment and risk management
Teaching your child to drive effectively means taking safety seriously, and assessing risk before you head out. While you’ll at some point want to give your children the experience of a busy roundabout, or night driving, it’s a good idea to introduce these environments in a controlled way. Introduce the challenge in increments, and make sure that your student feels comfortable letting you know when things are getting a little bit too much.
It’s also a good idea to talk to your child about how they’re going to cope with the challenges on the road ahead of them. Calmness, and the ability to look for upcoming hazards proactively, can be critical. The right learner insurance can help you, too, if you need to hold a practice session in a different car.
Costs, test logistics and system constraints
For years, there’s been something of a backlog in testing centres. While the transport secretary has pushed for more test slots, it’s worth booking your test early so that you aren’t left waiting. Give your child a target to aspire toward, and be aware that a little bit of pressure can often be a good thing.
Last Updated on Sunday, November 9, 2025 by Lavania Oluban