The Coob County (Georgia) Teen Driver Awareness Committee has the following suggestions for teaching your teen to drive:

1. When you drive, set a good example for your teenager. Remember, actions speak louder than words.

2. Consider mixed messages you may send to your teenager (for example, telling your teen to obey the speed limit and then using a radar detector when you drive)

3. Schedule frequent, short, well-planned practice sessions (30 minutes or less).

4. Provide many hours of supervised driving practice. Continue practice sessions even after a license has been obtained.

5. Expose your teenager to many different driving conditions (i.e., wet roads, crowded two lane roads, inter-states, rural roads, night driving, etc.)

6. Do not assume your teenager knows what you want them to do when learning to drive. Give all directions clearly, calmly, and well in advance of the maneuver (for example, "At the next intersection, turn left"). Also, discuss ahead of time specific directions to the designated location.

7. Help with steering in advance of trouble.

8. When braking is needed, inform your teenager early.

9. Make positive remarks frequently. Let your teenager know that he or she is doing well.

10. Require everyone in the car to buckle up before starting the car.

11. Patience is essential. Try and remain calm and relaxed during teaching sessions. This helps to instill confidence.

12. Consider loaning, not giving, your teen a car of his or her own. Rather you, the parent, retain ownership and make use by the teen a privilege for him or her.

13. If you feel uncomfortable with instructing your teen, consider finding another adult willing to assist in driver education.