Daughter’s just passed her driving test

[Glitterballofdreams]

How have other parents coped with their teens passing their driving test and being out on the road?
Our daughter passed her test today and is out driving and I’m a bag of nerves! I’m so not ready for this era!
Any tips?!

Safety points depending on what you can afford (admittedly based on my DS who passed and drove in London, so take as you will):

• The sooner she is driving after her test the more confident she will be, don’t delay buying a car if you can reasonably avoid it.
• Avoid the trap of buying an old clapped-out first car if she is realistically going to be driving it with any frequency. The last thing you want is a breakdown on the road. Get something relatively new and reliable (Toyota Aygos are great if you’re in a city).
• Make sure she has been supervised driving on the motorways once or twice before she tries them solo (driving instructors can offer them ad-hoc or as part of a pass plus test).
• Waze is a brilliant app for a satnav. Users can warn other drivers of hazards on the road in real-time and it beeps you if there is a speed camera up ahead or if you go over the limit.

Sorry for the long post, but hope this helps!

Mine passed nearly two years ago and I remember that feeling well! Honestly you do get used to it quite quickly. Dd is currently living a five hour drive away and I was so anxious the first time she did that journey alone but I’m getting better!

Beat it into her about mobile phone usage.

It’s terrifying, isn’t it. When DD (20) passed, I was so worried but as @LaundryOracle says, getting out and driving is the best way to gain experience.

After she passed, we still went out with her a few times practicing the routes that she’d regularly want to use-going to school, her friends’ houses, etc. so that she was really comfortable driving to those places.

Thank you all so much.

I got straight out on the motorways (drove an Aygo for years on the motorways doing long trips, they're not as slow as people think!). Best thing for confidence.

I don't know exactly how my parents felt but I expect they were fairly relaxed about it.😁

At 16 I got a moped (needed it for work) and within a week I had been down to the coast (120-miles away!). If nothing else it gave me lots of experience and taught me what an exciting place the roads could be.😲
When I got my first car and passed my test I thought nothing of popping down to the West Country for the weekend (200-miles).
Needless to say that roads gave me little cause for concern, a road atlas and RAC assistance was all I needed (the arrogance of youth).

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1JeZPtpFxx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I would suggest following this page. The more people following, supporting, and speaking out, the safer our children will be. Also I have bought each member of my family a car hammer and seatbelt cutter. I hope it’ll never be necessary but…

We purchased a work truck for DD when she passed and set a rule of 5,000 miles or a years worth of driving whichever is sooner until you can give passengers lifts.

She actually said she was grateful for an excuse.

Dd was having to drive two and a half hours away to college three months after passing. This was every six weeks.
We're over it now but I was worried at the time.
She has London planned for October, I'll probably worry then.

Make sure she’s got break/down cover and knows how to use it. Make sure insurance details are in the car and she knows what to say/nit say in the event of an accident.

Have £20 cash hidden in car in case she runs out of petrol and has no money or purse for whatever reason.

Bkack box insurance can be quite reassuring despite having its annoying features.

For the first week, you could ask her to text when she reaches her destination.

Consider restrictions on drinking friends for a while. Lots of countries don’t allow new drivers to drive friends for 6 months or to drive after 11pm. Discuss driving with friends at least and not having loud music and friends all shouting etc. Some teens love to drive their friends round with music blasting but your DD might not be interested in this.

Well done to hers the independence and benefits of passing are fab.

I think I was probably worried but don’t remember it too much and it was only 2 and 3 years ago that they passed! I must have gotten over it quickly.
They both had cars already so was just a case of updating insurance etc and then they were driving themselves to college/work, it became part of their daily lives quickly to just drive. I do think it’s good for the confidence.

Don’t let her take a break! DD passed in May, was regularly driving until late June. Once she finished college didn’t need to drive. Hasn’t driven since and is now a little anxious. I’ve said we absolutely must go out every day from tomorrow just to help her get over it.