To ask how difficult it is to teach a 17yo to drive?

[heather2908]

DD1 is desperate for driving lessons (she’s miserable at her college as it’s quite a distance away and she’s pretty independent so is hating relying on lifts) but trying to find a driving instructor round here is proving difficult as they’re all fully booked for the foreseeable. I’m eager to get her started though so was thinking of getting her some learner driver insurance through Marmalade or similar, taking her somewhere isolated to start off with and talking her through it bit by bit.

My question though is, is this crackers? When I was learning to drive (25 years ago now) I bought my own rust bucket of a Volvo for £500 and my mum took me out after I’d had 2 lessons and I loved having the chance to practice as and when I wanted to. I think she’ll be the same.

And what about manoeuvres? Could I teach her those? I know she’s going to need lessons at some point (I’m a primary school teacher, definitely not a driving instructor!) but is it completely unreasonable to get her started off?

Took both DC out in the car , isolated locations, taught the basics how to pull off , gear change, stop. They then had an instructor ( DS still learning) . I took them both out once the instructor said they were ready. Couldn't teach them ( I'm that mom who grabs the dash board and shouts break break ) .
DS now drives me around while waiting on his test .

DD had had 2 or 3 lessons before lockdown and I sat with her in her car for many months until she got a few more lessons and passed first time despite being dyspraxic.

She didn't lack confidence which helped 🤣 think wannabe boy racer.

Little and often was better too - she did all the driving for essential journeys.

It was very nerve racking and I did a lot of asking her to slow down. I'm also not used to being a passenger. I also got elbowed at most gear changes (see dyspraxia).

I would desperately try to get her a few professional lessons first if at all possible.