Author Archives: R Abbott

Teaching a teen to drive is less about throwing them into every possible scenario quickly and more about gradually building competence and confidence. Jumping straight from empty parking lots to rush-hour traffic can overwhelm them—and increase risk. Instead, think of the permit period as a step-by-step ladder of skill development. Here’s a proven six-month skill progression: Month 1 – Basics in Low-Traffic Areas Start with steering, braking, smooth acceleration, and complete stops at signs. Use empty parking lots and quiet neighborhoods. Keep sessions short and end on a success. Months 2–3 – Light to Moderate Traffic Introduce lane changes, right turns, and simple left turns. Drive in light city traffic, learn to handle stop-and-go conditions, and begin using mirrors effectively. Months […]

For many families, logging 50+ hours of driving practice during the permit period feels impossible. Between work, school, sports, and everything else, it’s easy for weeks to pass without a single practice drive. But those hours are not just a legal requirement—they’re your teen’s safety net for the day they start driving alone. The good news? You can fit in practice without adding “one more thing” to your schedule. The key is to weave driving into your daily routine. Grocery run? Your teen drives. Picking up a sibling? They’re behind the wheel. Even short 10–15 minute trips build skill and confidence when done consistently. Weekend mornings are ideal for introducing new skills. Roads are quieter, which makes learning parking techniques, lane […]

In most states, teens are required to log at least 50 hours of supervised driving before they can take their driver’s license test, including a portion at night. But here’s the thing—this number is a minimum, not a guarantee of readiness. Real safety comes from mastering a wide variety of skills in different driving environments, not just reaching an arbitrary time goal. The first 12 months of independent driving are the riskiest period of a teen’s life on the road. Many crashes occur because new drivers simply haven’t faced enough varied scenarios to react instinctively when something unexpected happens—like a sudden lane change from another driver, merging into heavy traffic, or navigating in bad weather. If you break down 50 hours […]