Coaching a new driver.

Before the first drive

• Agree on the rules

  Phone off and out of reach, everyone buckled up, no friends in the car at first. Many families write these into a parent-teen driving agreement.

• Use the same words every time

  Decide ahead what you'll say. For example, “brake” means brake now, and “stop” means a normal stop ahead. Clear words prevent panic.

• Keep sessions short

  Start with 20 to 30 minutes. Short, frequent drives build skill faster than rare long ones.

• Plan the route first

  Pick a place that matches the stage you're on, and know where you'll turn around.

• Be ready yourself

  You're the licensed driver in charge. Be rested and calm, keep your own phone away, and watch the road the whole time.

Six stages, in order

1. 1

   Empty parking lot

   Starting, smooth stopping, steering, backing up and parking.

   Move on when: starts and stops are smooth without reminders.

2. 2

   Quiet neighborhood streets

   Stop signs, turns, speed control, and watching for kids, pets and parked cars.

   Move on when: full stops and clean turns happen every time.

3. 3

   Busier roads

   Traffic lights, lane changes, left turns across traffic and following distance.

   Move on when: they check mirrors and blind spots without being told.

4. 4

   Highways

   Merging, holding a steady speed, passing and taking exits.

   Move on when: they merge confidently at highway speed.

5. 5

   Night and bad weather

   Headlights, glare, rain and, where it applies, snow. Most states require some night hours.

   Move on when: they drive calmly at night and in light rain.

6. 6

   Test prep

   Drive near the test site and practice the maneuvers your state tests, such as parallel parking and three-point turns.

   Move on when: they get through a full practice run with no help from you.