You may have mixed feelings when your child passes their driving test. On the one hand, you may worry about their safety. On the other, you appreciate that you’ll no longer need to act as a private taxi service to ferry them everywhere.
You can do several things to help them enjoy their independence without you losing too much sleep when lending your newly qualified teenager the car keys.
Increase their freedom gradually
New drivers need to build up slowly. Your son or daughter might have all sorts of plans, whether it is driving to see a concert across state lines or taking their friends away for Easter. Increasing the length of their leash gradually is wise. Examples could include not letting them drive for too long or far yet, or not letting them drive at night until they have more experience in the day.
Restrict their privileges if necessary
Driving is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with a lot of responsibility. Taking away the car keys may teach them a lesson if they do things that endanger themselves and others. Examples could include using their phone while driving or going too fast.
Invest in further training
Passing the driving test does not mean they are a good driver. It means they met the minimum standard on the day. You could accompany them on journeys to explain things such as how to navigate a particularly complex junction. Or you could buy them advanced training.
All these measures can help your child stay safe, but another driver who acts with negligence could still cause a crash that injures them. If this happens, you might need legal help to get your child the compensation they need.