Introducing youngsters to cars & how to teach them to drive responsibly

It’s our job to help build the next generation of mannered human beings on the roads!

BHPian Bit recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Just a heads-up: When I say "kids," I mean those who are physically, mentally, and legally fit to drive responsibly.

A lot of us are reaching the point where our kids are about to get their driver's licenses or are already of driving age. It’s time to think about introducing them to the world of cars. I’d love to hear from the DADDY BHPians on these questions:

1. Manual vs. Automatic: If you’ve got both types of cars available, which should you teach them to drive first? Manual might be better since mastering it means they can drive both manual and auto. But auto could be simpler and more fun to start with and spark their interest. What’s your opinion?
2. Driving School vs. Teaching Yourself: Is it better to send them to a driving school or teach them yourself? Why?
3. Teaching Responsible Driving: We all know the basics, but are there any special tips or tricks you’ve learned that could help make them better drivers?
4. Right Age to Start: And finally, what age do you think is ideal to start teaching them to drive, keeping it fun, sensible, and safe?

Any other advice on teaching them to drive is also appreciated (after introducing them to TeamBHP, of course). It’s our job to help build the next generation of mannered human beings on roads!

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

If your kid is into cars already, that's great. They will start early and there is just so much information available today on cars / driving in general. If not into cars, best to take it even slower.

Some tips from my side:

• Training by a professional driving school is a must.
• The car they start driving on should be either underpowered or have moderate power levels at best. BHP rating in the 2 digits preferred nothing over 100 BHP. This will help them understand their limits and the limits of machinery better.
• Will probably divide opinions, but strictly no motorcycles for anyone in my house. They are just way too dangerous in India. Even 2-wheeler lovers of this forum agreed in this poll (Motorcyclists & Scooterists of Team-BHP | What is your risk perception of riding in India?).
• Start slow (in terms of car & driving) and work your way up. There is no hurry. A typical 18-year-old will be driving for the next 50-60 years.
• I would get one of those tracking apps that keep a tab on the car's speed, usage timings and location.
• Earn a Team-BHP membership and read the awesome member threads on safe driving

Manual would be a nice skill to have, but it's not at all necessary today. A young car enthusiast would be inclined to try a manual, but not the regular young Joe. My bhabhi is currently undergoing driver training and she is only learning about ATs.

Parents know best and whenever they think their kid is responsible enough. I have seen some cases where car keys were handed over at 21, not 18.

Here's what BHPian rakesh_r had to say on the matter:

First and foremost, if you are one of those aggressive drivers, get disturbed, use explicit language, get involved in road rage, tone down. I used to be a very impatient driver with a short fuse. With my kid on board, I have heavily toned down.

Kids look at us to understand life, how we behave is how they would turn out to be when they grow up.

Here's what BHPian 14000rpm had to say on the matter:

I started teaching my daughter driving with Go-Karting from the age of 6 (now 8 yr old). She has understood the fundamentals of steering, Braking, cornering, Speed control etc. I'd say, that is 40% covered already. Rest is real world experience which will only be at 18.

I know your question is pointing at 18-year-olds. My point is that kids can be taught in a safe environment, if available, much earlier than their teens.

Here's what BHPian NomadSK had to say on the matter:

Interestingly, Driving is a fundamental life skill and everyone should acquire it. My Mom learned it at the age of 55 and around 12 years down the line, she is the safest driver in the family.

I'm in the process of teaching my daughter how to drive. She has shown a keen interest in driving since a young age. Recently she turned 16 and is now legally allowed to drive cars on public roads. She is already booked for her driving classes in Dec this year (huge waiting period) in order to get her DL.

So these days during weekends early morning I take her out for driving classes in an open empty parking area. Before doing that for a week, I took her theory classes while taking her to the classes for the road signs, and educated her on where she should stop, slow down, when to give way and what to do in real-life scenarios.

She took the automatic car like a fish to water, I sat on the passenger seat and was her instructor,

1st day - She learned to do a 360-degree visual look, adjust the seat and mirrors, brief about the pedals and questions being asked what she can see in the mirrors. I unleashed my dog and told her to find him in the mirrors so that she could visualize and have the context set on how to see in rearview mirrors and find the object. No gears were slotted and the car was stationary the whole time. Later showed her where the spare tire is and where the jack is. With no engine running, told her to slot the gears with brakes pressed in D, R N, P. She asked for the 4x4 usage, which I said not at this moment. She made me open the hood and wanted me to explain a bit of mechanics to her since she has an inquisitive mind and wanted to know what moves this 2.5-tonner. This made me show her the knob's location for opening the hood and for the fuel lid, which are on either side of the steering column.

2nd Day - Learning was for using indicators, headlights, parking lights and the usage of washers/wipers. Showed her the stalk and how they operate. Instructed her to insert the keys and see the MID for all signs. Explained to her a bit, but she got more confused at that moment, so I ignored this for the day. Now allowed her to fire the engine (and how to release the keys when the engine is fired) she kept holding the keys, with the brake depressed and told her not to modulate the accelerator, but just drive the car with brake modulation. She did fine for 20-25 mins going around in circles and other shapes without touching the accelerator.

3rd Day - Allowed her to modulate the accelerator a little bit and told her if I tapped her leg, then just pull the feet away from the throttle. There were a couple of bumps too, where it needed to slow down, this was the moment when I realized she didn't have a speed idea of slowing down or the amount of pressure she needed to apply on the brakes to slow down the car. She was a bit sceptical in applying more pressure, was of the opinion that the accelerator and brake pressure would be kind of the same. She told me it was my mistake, I should have told her this.

4th day - Made her stop the car from 20kmph to Zero by stomping on the brakes. Just to make her feel how the car and brakes behave when suddenly applied. This day was used only to make her familiar with hard braking. Another thing I told her not to go pedal to the metal type of thing.

5th Day - Parking in and out. Reverse parking was a challenge for her. She needs to learn it at the driving school. Reverse in the open was fine, but in tight spots, she forgot what to do with the steering while reversing. I guess it's spatial disorientation while reversing.

6th Day - She was confident to drive on the public road, which I haven't yet allowed, but taking her regularly to the parking area for more practice, so far she's strictly instructed to not go above 30kmph in a parking lot. By the way, its a huge open area to practice and on weekends it's just empty.

These are just some of the basics I could teach her, the rest I will keep for the "driving school" to take care of.

Only Automatics, I prefer everyone to use automatics, unless one is a super enthusiast or has a racing career.

I guess both If you are a good driver and know the rules. But at any time don't inculcate wrong habits unknowingly.

Make them empathetic towards others. I told her, that driving comes with a responsibility and never to speed up. Rest I guess they will learn in real-life scenarios.

16 is the age here, but I guess as a parent you are the one who would know when it would be the right age to hand over the keys to the kid. My parents kept the DL under lock and key till they felt comfortable.

At the end of the day it's fun to hear her tales of driving when she describes it to her mom. Those million-dollar tales, when she tells her mom that she will take her shopping soon are priceless

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.