Why do Parents "Think" they are automatically qualified to "Teach Driving" when they really aren't qualified?

Question

As an expert driving instructor, I am continually surprised at the arrogance of parents "believing" that they are just as qualified as I am to effectively train their teenager how to drive.

These people "don't know what they don't know" but continually put their teens in harms way (and the rest of us) by passing on to their teens their own bad driving habits and fears.

"Driving" and "teaching driving" are two completely different occupations.

The number one (#1) killer of teens in the US is driving and most every parent knows this, so why do parents "think" this way?

Answer 1

Parents believe that they can teach their kids how to drive even though they are not qualified. If they are riding around on the streets and they get pulled over the parent will get in trouble get issued a citation and receive a higher insurance rate. This would only happen if the young adult who is being taught dosnt have a permit or a junior license.

Answer 2

That is true to some point but I think part of the reason why they dont like driving instructors is due to unknown certainties of how good the instructor is (because not all instructors are good drivers) I have a bad instructor myself.

Yes it is also true that not all parents are good drivers, probably more like they were probably bad drivers so yeah they do pass on bad habits and more importantly they bug the h**l out of you.

However, I do believe there are plenty of good parent drivers who are adequate in being to teach there kids how to drive. h**l i taught some of my friends how to drive and I was only 17 and they did just fine on the driving test. Driving can be taught by anyone as long as they are qualified.

Answer 3

I think it's because that they passed their driving test, they think it makes them qualified to teach their son/daughter driving.

Also that they have more experience driving, but driving & teaching driving are two completely different things, like you said.

Answer 4

They care oh so much about their children that they decide to do it on the cheap.Then wonder why their children get maimed and killed in crashes.

Yes I am a driving instructor.

What price your childs life.

Answer 5

Parents think they are qualified because they have the experience of driving for many years.  It depends on the parent as some of them are very good drivers with no marks on their record while others aren't so good.

Answer 6

With your level of arrogance and self importance not to mention your  lack of any verifiable qualifications and driving records,I wouldn't send a teen or an adult to you for driving lessons.

Answer 7

Great question...The first reason parents "teach" their kids how to drive is that it is cheap - doesn't cost anything, except gas...A formal driver's ed course, including classroom and behind-the-wheel time is pretty expensive - a couple of hundred dollars at least.

The second reason is that the parent feels that they are in control of what their kid learns - I'll teach you what worked for me...Thus the neophyte becomes comfortable with what mom or dad showed him or her and became comfortable in that setting...But when the time comes to follow directions from a total stranger (driver examiner) in a pass-fail situation, too many teens (and first time applicants) choke up to the point of panic.

Another contributing factor to teen deaths on the roads is that on-the-road training does not cover all driving scenarios...The training usually covers just enough to pass the test, like following the same route the driver test follows and issuing the same directions...The newly minted driver still does not have the experience, maturity and judgment to operate a high powered vehicle at will in a high threat environment.

Answer 8

I think you're blowing your own horn just a wee bit too much here fella. "Expert Driving Instructor"....who made you an expert? I've had first hand experience with some of your graduates. Are these the same people that come down a highway entrance ramp at 35 MPH and when it's time to merge they THEN look for an opening in traffic rather than turn their stupid heads and LOOK for an opening while accelerating up to highway speeds? Are these the same students that put make-up on or use a lap top while driving 65MPH? I'm thinking maybe you should be a better "expert driving instructor" than you think you are. My Dad taught me that anytime I was driving that was my job and to concentrate on driving most of all. He taught me to always look for an escape route and to never get into a situation where I needed one anyways. He took me to vacant snow covered parking lots and taught me how to control a car in a skid. He wouldn't allow me to get my license until I knew how to drive a standard transmission. I think I'll trust my Dad before I'll trust you.

Answer 9

don't start with me.  my mom freaks out if i start braking a little after she thinks i should have.  i car can be a mile away, and she slams on her brakes, its freaking crazy.  leave the teaching to the proffessionals

Answer 10

At first I disagreed with you, but now that I think about it, you have a point. Being good at something doesn't necessarily mean you can teach it.

I think many parents, while teaching their teens to drive, have a tendency to get frustrated sooner than an instructor would. This can lead to impatience, yelling at them, etc. etc., which really doesn't help. So yes, I think parents should let instructors handle it.

The worst thing parents can do, though, is NOT let their teen drive after he or she has received their permit. They need all the practice they can get. When my kids had their permits, I let them drive through blizzards, rainstorms, heavy traffic, and every other situation I could think of. They needed to learn.

I took my son to a sporting event and when the game was over, I handed him the keys. He took one look at the huge traffic jam, and looked a little shocked. I told him he had to learn how to get through this mess. And he did. I've never regretted letting them drive as often as possible.

A friend of mine did exactly the opposite - never let his kid drive with a permit. Two weeks after he got his license, the car was wrecked. Not surprising.

Answer 11

They are good enough to do that. We know some parents can't even teach kids how to behave properly. It looks like an individual case by case decision to me.

Answer 12

I agree with you 100 percent and after my son completed his drivers ed courses, I was very impressed at how much he had learned from his instructors to the point that I reread his manual.

I think that you guys are doing a great job and keep it up.

Answer 13

I honestly don't know.  My mother actually IS a qualified driving instructor, and she taught me for the most part, but I had one driving lesson with my dad, and oh god, I just about freaked.

It taught me that just because you have driving experience, it doesn't mean you should be teaching others how to do it...

Answer 14

I could see people thinking this as I do to.  There's a small book of rules to the road and you ether know them or you don't.  What do you know that I don't you don't even know me. I'm alive after driving all these years so I would feel much safer knowing I tought them how to drive than some stranger.